Events and Programs at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC
Programs are free and open to the public unless ticket information is noted.
Art Talks and Activities
Artist Talk with Photographer Dave Burnett
Tuesday, November 5, 7 p.m.
Join renowned photojournalist David Burnett and hear about his thrilling five-decades long career documenting wars and revolutions, music icons, Olympians, and American presidents. A book signing and a chance to meet Burnett will follow this enlightening artist talk. This program is presented in partnership with the American Society of Media Photographers.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium
Tickets: Free; Registration strongly recommended
Event Link
See Me at SAAM
Wednesday, November 6, 2 p.m.
In an effort to make SAAM’s collection accessible to all, See Me at SAAM is designed to improve the well-being of individuals with dementia and their care partners. This popular series brings people together to experience and discuss art in a small group setting.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard
Tickets: Free; Registration required by email at access@si.edu or call (202) 633-2921
Event Link
Mary Louise Schumacher: Out of the Picture
Wednesday, November 6, 6:30 p.m.
Join Mary Louise Schumacher, former art critic for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, as she discusses the changing landscape of art criticism and examines how technology impacts our relationship with art. Schumacher also shares topics explored in her current documentary film project, including the ways art criticism has been affected by technological and cultural change. This program is part of the annual Clarice Smith Distinguished Lectures series.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium
Tickets: Free; Registration recommended
Event Link
Beyond the Studio Workshop: Improvisational Theater with Washington Improv Theater
Sunday, November 10, 1–3 p.m.
Test your wit, gain poise, build confidence, and unleash your creativity by learning the fundamental concepts of improvisation in this hands-on workshop with performers from the Washington Improv Theater. This program is presented with Washington Improv Theater.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, MacMillan Education Center (first floor)
Tickets: Free; Registration required
Event Link
Conversation Pieces
Wednesday, November 13, 6 p.m.
Want to deepen your understanding and appreciation of contemporary art? Join Joanna Marsh, SAAM’s Deputy Education Chair, Head of Interpretation and Audience Research, for this ongoing series of gallery talks. Marsh uses a single artwork from the museum’s collection to spark conversation and closer examination.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, meet in the G Street Lobby
Tickets: Free
Event Link
Yoga in Luce
Wednesday, November 13, 6 p.m.
Bring your mat and relax with this yoga and art appreciation series. Participants are invited to reflect on an artwork before unwinding with a one-hour vinyasa yoga session led by certified instructor Clare Kelley in the one-of-a-kind Luce Foundation Center.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center (third floor)
Tickets: $10; Tickets available online starting October 30, at noon. Cash is not accepted at the door
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Art Bites Gallery Talks: Hannah Hölling and Saisha Grayson
Friday, November 22, 12:15 p.m.
Take a lunch break and join SAAM’s research fellows and curators as they share their new discoveries about artworks from the collection. In this installment, research fellow Hanna Hölling and curator Saisha Grayson speak about Nam June Paik’s Global Groove.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, meet in the G Street Lobby
Tickets: Free
Event Link
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Music, Performances & Film
Luce Unplugged: The Anthony Pirog Quartet
Thursday, November 7, 5:30-7 p.m.
Enjoy music from DC’s best local artists while surrounded by beautiful artworks in SAAM’s one-of-a-kind programming space, the Luce Foundation Center. In this installment, Anthony Pirog returns to SAAM with a performance that combines the intensity of punk with the inventiveness of jazz. Libations and snacks are available for purchase at the on-site bar. A staff-led discussion about an artwork chosen by the performers starts at 5:30 p.m., with the music beginning at 6 p.m.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center (third floor)
Tickets: Free
Event Link
Movies at SAAM: Street Heroines
Wednesday, November 13, 6 p.m.
Join us for a special screening of Street Heroines, a documentary film that looks at the courage and creativity of female street artists from around the world. From New York City, where Lady Pink and Claw $$ paved the way for female artists to use the streets as canvas, to São Paulo and Mexico City, Street Heroines gives voice to women fighting social injustice with creativity in a male-dominated subculture. A conversation with the film’s director, Alexandria Henry, follows the screening. Rated NR (50 minutes; 2018).
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, McEvoy Auditorium
Tickets: Free
Event Link
Take 5! with Wayne Wilentz
Thursday, November 21, 5–7 p.m.
Join multitalented pianist, keyboardist, vocalist, composer, and arranger Wayne Wilentz and his band as they fill the dazzling Kogod Courtyard with tunes from the “Brazil Recordings” of legendary jazz artist Duke Pearson.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kogod Courtyard
Tickets: Free
Event Link
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Ongoing Programs
Sketching: Draw and Discover!
Tuesdays, 2:30 – 4:30pm
Draw inspiration from artists’ sketches as well as the thousands of objects on display in the Luce Foundation Center, then spend some time sketching in this weekly workshop. Some materials provided; please bring a small sketchbook and pencils.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center (third floor)
Tickets: Free
Event Link
Conservation Conversation: Preserving SAAM’s Collection
Friday, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 1 p.m.
Learn how museum conservators preserve SAAM’s artworks in the Lunder Conservation Center. The center has five state-of-the-art laboratories and studios equipped to treat paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculptures, folk art objects, contemporary crafts, decorative arts, and frames. Group size is limited.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Lunder Conservation Center
Tickets: Free
Event Link
Art Signs: Gallery Talk in American Sign Language (ASL)
Thursday, November 14, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 17, 1 p.m.
Join us for lively gallery conversations in American Sign Language led by Deaf gallery guides. Don’t miss a single one, as this popular series examines different treasures from SAAM’s collection for each installment. For more information, contact SAAMAccess@si.edu.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, meet in the F Street Lobby
Tickets: Free
Event Link
America InSight: Verbal Description Tour
Sunday, November 10, 1:30 p.m.
Join a docent-led tour designed for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Discover highlights of the collection through rich verbal description and sensory experience. Touch components for sculptures and model recreations of paintings may be incorporated into the tour. For more information, contact SAAMAccess@si.edu
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, meet in the F Street Lobby
Tickets: Free
Event Link
America InSight: Verbal Description Tour at the Renwick Gallery
Sunday, November 24, 1:30 p.m.
Join a docent-led tour designed for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Discover highlights of the collection through rich verbal description and sensory experience. Touch components for sculptures and model recreations of paintings may be incorporated into the tour. For more information, contact SAAMAccess@si.edu.
Location: Renwick Gallery, meet in the Lobby
Tickets: Free
Event Link
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For more information on this museum, visit our Smithsonian American Art Museum page.
Event listings are provided by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
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