Luce Foundation Center

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Open daily, 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

The nation’s first collection of American art, an unparalleled record of the American experience.

Plan your visit

Renwick Gallery Stairwwell

Renwick Gallery

Open daily, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Located just feet from the White House, a branch of the museum that is home the nation's collection of contemporary craft and decorative art.

Plan your visit

How Do I Research My Art?

Want to learn more about the painting you found while clearing out the attic? For answers, be prepared for a little detective work.

How to Care for Your Collections

Regardless of the monetary value of your artwork, if it is personally meaningful, you should consider having the object conserved.

Recording a Changing Nation

This resource uses images from photographic surveys in 55 communities in 30 states across the United States as source documents to spark sustained inquiry.

Critical Thinking in Action

These 60-to-95-minute units pair thinking patterns with works of art to instill a thinking disposition transferable across classroom curriculum and into the wider world.

Event Venues and Space Rental

Museum Store Online

Detail of brown ceramic jar with writing and the signature "Dave" inscribed around the top.

David “Dave” Drake: Potter and Poet

Craftsman David “Dave” Drake, enslaved for most of his life, produced uncommonly large ceramic jars in 19th-century South Carolina adorned by his poetic verses

Four people sit around a table playing a game with large cards. The cards have images of artworks on them.

Museum In My Pocket: An Off-the-Wall Art Game

SAAM educators highlight the collection with a new art-based card game

Director’s Circle

A national membership group of museum friends who share a love of American art and craft and our commitment to celebrating the extraordinary creativity of our nation’s artists.

A membership group for young professionals who are interested in immersing themselves in the American art experience.

May’s Handi-Hour at the Renwick

Splash Image - May's Handi-Hour at the Renwick

An image of Gloria Kenyon.

Gloria Kenyon

Public Programs Coordinator

May 17, 2016

For May's Handi-hour you'll start by making your own loom using scrap cardboard from all those Amazon boxes you have lying around. Then string it with yarn to create coasters, mats, or whatever else you can imagine. Fuel your creativity with beers from Churchkey and music by David Andrew Smith. And, if you can't make it, watch the video for instructions and inspiration. This month's Handi-hour is sold out, but keep an eye on the calendar for July's Handi-hour tickets which go on sale July 5th.

Categories

Craft Making Activities

Recent Posts

Four people sit around a table playing a game with large cards. The cards have images of artworks on them.

02/03/2023

Museum In My Pocket: An Off-the-Wall Art Game

SAAM educators highlight the collection with a new art-based card game

Kelly Skeen

Detail of brown ceramic jar with writing and the signature "Dave" inscribed around the top.

From the Collection One Smithsonian

02/01/2023

David “Dave” Drake: Potter and Poet

Craftsman David “Dave” Drake, enslaved for most of his life, produced uncommonly large ceramic jars in 19th-century South Carolina adorned by his poetic verses

A woman in a black blazer smiles in front of a dusky landscape

Jill Vaum Rothschild

Luce Curatorial Fellow

A photograph of a woman standing in front of artwork.

Leslie Umberger

Curator (Folk and Self-Taught Art)

A photograph of a woman in front of artwork

From the Director

01/26/2023

Director’s Letter: A Year of Stories

Director Stephanie Stebich looks forward to the year ahead

Stephanie Stebich, SAAM's Margaret and Terry Stent Direction in the museum's Lincoln Gallery. Photo by Gene Young.

Stephanie Stebich

The Margaret and Terry Stent Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery