Eye Level

Eye Level is the blog of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery. Publishing behind-the-scenes museum stories since 2005.

Jeopardy! Champion Ken Jennings on Lessons Learned from Alexander von Humboldt 

“I’ll take Alexander von Humboldt for $500, Alex.”

Exhibitions

Opening Doors

Welcome back: On the museum's reopening and embracing encounters with art.

From the Director

Road Trip: Morocco on my Mind

SAAM's artworks transport the author back to her beloved Morocco without having to leave home.

Comfort Food in the Luce Foundation Center

For your viewing pleasure, a menu of tasty works of art from the Luce Foundation Center.

Luce Foundation Center

“Who Run The World?” Celebrating the 19th Amendment Centennial

A special Handi-hour program that explores the connections between craft and suffrage.

Craft Making Activities

Level Up: Playing to Document and Preserve Video Games

Ever wonder what it takes to conserve and preserve video games? Our collections care initiative fellow at SAAM tells us how.

Games

Conservation

Living History, Changing History

Inspired by the late politician and Civil Rights Activist, John Lewis, and his call for "good trouble."

Fire, Cloud, Earth: Native Women Artists at SAAM

A closer look at three Native women artists in SAAM's collection

Luce Foundation Center

SAAM Arcade: Focus on Women in the Video Games Industry

Five Questions with Renee Bates, visual development artist and professor at Ringling College of Art & Design

Games

SAAM Arcade: Game Changers

Celebrating the ratification of the 19th Amendment by highlighting women’s narratives and contributions to the video games industry

Games

Getting Crafty: Make an Alexander Calder-inspired Mobile

An Alexander Calder mobile in time for the artist's 122nd birthday.

Craft Making Activities

Additional Reflections on Arthur Jafa’s Love is the Message, The Message is Death

Highlighting the voices of Black people and people of color within our local arts and creative community.

Programs

Reflections on Arthur Jafa’s Love is the Message, The Message is Death

Highlighting the voices of Black people and people of color within our local arts and creative community.

Identity and Visibility

How a recent acquisition addresses themes of race and LGBTQ+ identity

Seeing the Rainbow in SAAM’s Collection

Taking a deeper look at how we talk about gay artists at SAAM

Father's Day Crafts for Dad

Celebrate Dad with an artful, home-crafted card

Craft Making Activities

Statement from Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch

On inequality and racial division in the United States

Standing Together

A Conversation about American Art and Anti-Asian Sentiment in the Age of COVID-19

Exhibitions