Where Will American Art Take You?
We are pleased to welcome you to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery with safety measures in place
Thank you for your continued support while we were closed, and as we gradually reopen. We look forward to seeing you in the galleries. Stay safe and enjoy your visit.
Know Before You Go: Guidelines for Visiting
We are delighted to welcome visitors back into our galleries. To keep us all safe, we ask that visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, follow these safety measures to protect everyone’s health. Please review the important information below as you plan your visit.
New Schedule
We are open Wednesday through Sunday. SAAM – 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Renwick Gallery – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Face Coverings
All visitors ages two (2) and older are required to wear a mask while visiting Smithsonian museums and indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
Featured Online Program
Celebrate the magical winter wonderland of The Nutcracker with SAAM and The Washington Ballet! Join former Radio City Rockette DeMoya Watson Brown for a story time reading of this beloved holiday classic. Then let’s jeté into an interactive ballet master class led by The Washington Ballet School instructor Margaret Williamson. Register now for this virtual ballet experience designed for fun at home with the whole family on Saturday, December 4, at 10 a.m. ET.
From the Director
Stephanie Stebich, the Margaret and Terry Stent Director, talks about how a variety of voices are represented in SAAM’s collections, galleries, and programming to reflect the complexity of American stories. Read more!
Featured Exhibition
Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano brings to life the Venetian glass revival of the late nineteenth century and the artistic experimentation the city inspired for visiting artists. Exhibition now open!
Latest Blog Post
Body and Blood in Ana Mendieta’s Filmwork
Drawn to Art: Ten Tales of Inspiring Women Artists
Drawn to Art is a comic series that illuminates the stories of ten women artists whose artwork is represented in the SAAM's collection, some of whom may not have received the attention they deserved in their lifetimes.
Portrait: A Comic About Mickalene Thomas
When contemporary artist Mickalene Thomas was in art school, she couldn’t afford traditional materials and gravitated towards craft stores and the glitter and rhinestones within. Her paintings speak to female empowerment and of women of color owning and defining their own spaces.
Picturing a City: A Comic About Berenice Abbott
Born in 1898, Berenice Abbott discovered her gift for photography in Paris. When she returned home, she created iconic portraits of buildings and people in New York City, images that still move us to this day.
In Awe of the Straight Line: A Comic About Carmen Herrera
Carmen Herrera was born in Havana, Cuba, then lived in Paris before moving to New York City in 1952. She faced discrimination in the art world for being an immigrant and a woman and only found success late in life for her minimal, beautiful works.
Featured Video
Celebrated artist Sonya Clark discusses how her work speaks to intersecting themes of history, race, and culture in the United States. Clark is joined in conversation by Nora Atkinson, the Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. From human hair and combs to flags and U.S. currency, Clark utilizes unconventional craft materials to create powerful artworks that inspire reflection on who we are individually, collectively, and as part of an imperfect nation. Clark also discusses how the global pandemic and compounded challenges of 2020 shaped her creative practice.
Explore all Museum Videos
New Acquisitions
Discover artworks recently added to the collection in New Acquisitions.
View New Acquisitions
Learn more about recently acquired artworks on SAAM's blog
Host an Event
Looking for an elegant and dazzling location to host an event in 2021, and beyond? Contact us, and let us help you make your event unforgettable.
Exhibitions Online
Browse exhibitions online, including artwork galleries, and artist and curator interviews.
View Upcoming Exhibitions
View Current and Past Exhibitions
Explore the Collection
Celebrate the extraordinary creativity of artists whose works reflect the American experience and global connections.
Explore all Art + Artists in the Collection
Browse Artwork by Category or Artist Names A-Z
For Educators
Local and national programs for teachers, students, and adult learners offer year-long professional opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development.
Visit Us From Home
Immerse yourself in Google Street View’s 360° museum images from anywhere.
Immersive Experiences
SAAM’s virtual reality museum apps present a selection of unique and immersive experiences.
For mobile
WONDER 360
Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death
For VR headsets
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man
SAAM Beyond the Walls
Museum from Home: Crafting Edition
Enjoy the latest step-by-step guide to at-home crafting with SAAM’s craft master, and check out our video library of crafting projects from past Handi-hour events.
Browse Art
