Welcome to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
Explore the sweep of the American imagination across four centuries at the nation's flagship museum for American art and craft. Dive into inspiring artworks, the reimagined collection, and an array of special exhibitions including Glenn Kaino: Bridge. Experience our offerings both online and in person at our two locations, including national educational programs, innovative research, video interviews with artists, virtual artist studio tours, lectures, audio guides, and more. Admission is always free.
Featured Exhibitions
November 15, 2024 – August 17, 2025
Pictures of Belonging celebrates three trailblazing Japanese American women artists and asserts their rightful place in American art.
November 8, 2024–September 14, 2025
SAAM's groundbreaking exhibition examines the ways in which American sculpture has shaped and reflected attitudes and understandings about race in the United States.
April 19, 2023–June 8, 2025
SAAM’s branch location for contemporary craft, the Renwick Gallery, showcases the dynamic landscape of American craft today. Currently on view are more than 100 works in a range of mediums from fiber and ceramics to glass, metal, wood, and mixed media.
Featured Stories
A new exhibition that restores three American women of Japanese descent to their rightful place in the story of modernism
SAAM
A new exhibition explores how the history of race in the United States is entwined in the history of American sculpture.
SAAM
Women Artists11/17/2022
Jaune Quick-To-See Smith (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation) used her long and distinguished career to powerfully express her support for Native American communities
Howard Kaplan
Writer
Artist
Date2012
commercial cotton fabric, rayon, linen, chiffon, batik fabric, cotton batting, acrylic paint, and polyester fabric
Featured Video
"Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo" Introduction
Melissa Ho, curator of twentieth-century art at SAAM, discusses the lives and work of three trailblazing Japanese American women artists.
“With Drawn Arms” Post-Film Screening Panel Discussion
Glenn Kaino joined Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie G. Bunch III and sports journalist and professor Kevin Blackistone for a conversation about his powerful aerial sculpture Bridge, on view in SAAM’s Luce Foundation Center.
Meet the Artist: Audrey Flack
Go into the studio of renowned artist Audrey Flack (1931-2024) for an engaging personal interview on her long career and her quest for truth, peace, and understanding.