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. Inspiring artworks and special exhibitions online and in person at our two locations. National educational offerings. Innovative research. Video interviews with artists and virtual studio tours, lectures and more. Admission is always free.
Featured Exhibitions
May 26, 2023–March 31, 2024
Sharing Honors and Burdens: Renwick Invitational 2023 features artists Joe Feddersen (Arrow Lakes/Okanagan), Lily Hope (Tlingit), Ursala Hudson (Tlingit), Erica Lord (Athabaskan/Iñupiat), Geo Neptune (Passamaquoddy), and Maggie Thompson (Fond du
Ongoing
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.
October 1, 2021–May 18, 2025
Artist to Artist features paired artworks, each representing two figures whose trajectories intersected at a creatively crucial moment, whether as student and teacher, professional allies, or friends.
Upcoming Featured Events
Featured Stories
06/02/2023
As June begins and Pride celebrations around the world commence, here is one way to connect with a few LGBTQ+ artists whose work is included in SAAM’s collection.
05/26/2023
The contemporary artist creates works that address the Filipinx American experience
05/24/2023
Tips for teaching the layered World War I history of the 369th Infantry Regiment on their return from France
Ben Brands
Phoebe Hillemann
Teacher Institutes Educator
05/19/2023
Exhibition invites viewers to discover the intersections and influences of video and sound, through works by some of today’s leading contemporary artists
05/01/2023
A look at historic new acquisitions of art by two trailblazing Japanese American painters
04/27/2023
Go in-depth for a look at the themes of Sharing Honors and Burdens at the Renwick Gallery
Lara Evans
Artist
Date2018-2020
Performance. Unique objects worn by artist/performer (glass, neoprene, rusted metal fragments of U.S./Mexico border fence, leather, cotton twine, flashlight) and photodocumentation of the performance (digital files)
Featured Video
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of SAAM's Renwick Gallery
How do you mark the 50th anniversary of the nation's premier museum dedicated to American craft?
"We Are Made of Stories: Self-Taught Artists in the Robson Family Collection" Introduction
Explore the rise of untrained artists in the 20th century and discover their powerful personal journeys.
Bisa Butler’s "The Harlem Hellfighters" - American Art Moments
Get to know the historic figures behind Bisa Butler’s monumental quilt and discover the artistry Butler uses to pay homage to the soldiers.