Public Programs

Newsroom of the Smithsonian

Media resources for our public programs. See our Event Calendar for all of our public programs.

Close up of cherry blossoms

Debora Moore, Cherry (detail), from the series Arboria, 2018, blown and sculpted glass and natural boulder, approx. 90 x 28 x 20 in., Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Rozarii Lynch.

Smithsonian American Art Museum Presents a Series of Virtual Programs as Part of the 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry Blossom Family Celebrations Online March 20 to April 11
02.19.2021
American Art Museum Public Programs
Woman with bare shoulders and floral headgear stares straight ahead

Waikiki, dir. Christopher Kahunahana, 2020.

Smithsonian Presents the Mother Tongue Film Festival, “The Healing Power of Storytelling”
Sixth Annual Festival Will Be Held Online as Free Monthly Screening Series
02.11.2021
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage American Indian Museum Natural History Museum Public Programs
Conical sculpture reflects early morning light in front of National Air and Space Museum building
National Air and Space Museum Celebrates Perseverance Landing
02.01.2021
Air and Space Museum Public Programs
Aged, family group photograph from 1901

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Families of Anita Williams Christopher and David Owen Williams

Book Discussion With Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain Kicks Off Black History Month Programming at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Uplifting the Black Family Social Media Campaign Shares the Experience of the Black Family
01.27.2021
African American Museum Public Programs
Talking To Our Time graphic with image of three women dressed in gorilla masks

Guerrilla Girls at the Abrons Art Center, 2015. Photo © Andrew Hinderaker

Hirshhorn Continues Weekly Series of Free Online Artist Talks Into 2021
Museum’s Winter Season of “Talking to Our Time” Includes Renowned Global Artists Including the Guerrilla Girls and Rachel Rose
01.27.2021
Hirshhorn Museum Public Programs
Degas painting of young ballerinas practicing ballet

Edgar Degas, "The Dance Class," 1874, Oil on Canvas.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Offers World Art History Certificate Program
01.14.2021
Smithsonian Associates Public Programs Education News
Martin Sheen

Martin Sheen

Smithsonian Associates Presents “Mr. President: An Evening with Martin Sheen”
01.13.2021
Smithsonian Associates Public Programs
Illustration of Wonder Woman comics on Ms. Magazine
Smithsonian Launches Season Six of Sidedoor Podcast
01.13.2021
Public Programs
Mirrored image of woman touching her face

Still from Joan Jonas, "Left Side Right Side," 1972. Video (black-and-white, sound), 8:50 min. © 2020 Joan Jonas / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Courtesy the artist and Gladstone Gallery, New York and Brussels.

Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Announces Monthly Online Screening Series
“Viewfinder: Women’s Film and Video from the Smithsonian” Will Feature Monthly Screenings and Conversations With Artists, Filmmakers and Smithsonian Curators
01.04.2021
American Women's History Museum Public Programs
Man weaves a textile on a loom by hand
Smithsonian Folklife Festival Launches Virtual Marketplace in Partnership With NOVICA
12.21.2020
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Public Programs
Smithsonian Institution logo
Smithsonian Receives $13.5 Million From Lilly Endowment Inc. for Religion and Culture Programs
12.11.2020
Public Programs
24 Hours In A Time Of Change
Smithsonian Hosts Daylong Program To Collect Stories From Across America
“24 Hours in a Time of Change” Features Virtual Programming From Museums and Invites the Public To Share Their Stories
12.08.2020
Public Programs
Composite image of highlights from December programming
National Museum of the American Indian Presents Contemporary Artists in Conversation
Two Online Programs Gather Artists and Artisans To Discuss Their Work
11.24.2020
American Indian Museum Public Programs
Giant panda cub Xiao Qui Ji

After five days of voting and just under 135,000 votes, the panda cub at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is named Xiao Qi Ji (SHIAU-chi-ji), which translates as “little miracle” in English.

Photo by Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

His Name Is Xiao Qi Ji
Smithsonian’s National Zoo Giant Panda Cub Received Name Following Public Vote
11.23.2020
National Zoo & SCBI Public Programs
Giant panda cub

: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Public Can Vote To Name Smithsonian’s National Zoo Giant Panda Cub
Public Can Vote To Name Smithsonian’s National Zoo Giant Panda Cub
11.16.2020
National Zoo & SCBI Public Programs
Polynesian women on catamarand, making prayerful gesture
Breaktide Productions
2020: Native Cinema: Standing Above the Clouds

Still image from Standing Above the Clouds, courtesy Breaktide Productions

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Woman performing on stage with guitar, SKODEN banner behind her
Evan James Atwood
2020 Native Cinema: Run It to Ya

Still image from Run it to Ya, courtesy Evan James Atwood

Download (6.09 MB)
Person completely obscured by colorful headdress
Kichwa Hatari and Vanessa Teran
2020 Native Cinema: Runa Llakta Llakta Illakuna (Human Land, No States)

Still image from Runa Llakta Llakta Illakuna (Human Land, No States) courtesy Kichwa Hatari and Vanessa Teran 

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Woman burning sage
Women Make Movies
2020 Native Cinema: Conscience Point

Still image from Conscience Point, courtesy Women Make Movies

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Three armed Native men, one staring into camera
Yellow Veil Pictures
2020 Native Cinema: Blood Quantum

Still image from Blood Quantum, courtesy Yellow Veil Pictures 

Download (8.92 MB)
two hands select cheese from platter of holiday food
Smithsonian Associates Kicks Off the Holiday Season With Virtual Programs
11.12.2020
Smithsonian Associates Public Programs
Detail of granite wall
Alan Karchmer for NMAI
National Native American Veterans Memorial: Plaza detail

The National Native American Veterans Memorial will open to the public Nov. 11, 2020 on the grounds of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Photo by Alan Karchmer for NMAI

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National American Indian Veterans Memorial as approached via walkway
Alan Karchmer for NMAI
National Native American Veterans Memorial: Approach

The National Native American Veterans Memorial will open to the public Nov. 11, 2020 on the grounds of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Photo by Alan Karchmer for NMAI

Download (9.1 MB)
Close up of National Native American Memorials
Alan Karchmer for NMAI
National Native American Veterans Memorial: Close-up
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