Arts and Culture | Smithsonian Magazine

Octavia Butler Joins Pantheon of Futurists

The author’s career is honored by a newly commissioned work by digital artist Nettrice Gaskins

The Brilliance of Otl Aicher's Olympic Pictograms

Having lived through Germany's Nazi regime, Otl Aicher went on to pioneer democratic design

Peek Into the World's Only Cardboard Boat Museum

For nearly 30 years, New Richmond has hosted the International Cardboard Boat Regatta, a high-spirited race on the Ohio River

New Video Game Investigates Slavery's Legacy

"Blackhaven" finds a fictional intern working to uncover a colonial estate's hidden history while facing present-day racism

The 1964 Olympics Was Pivotal to Postwar Tokyo

The economic and infrastructure rebuilding of postwar Tokyo was nothing short of a miracle. It culminated with being selected to host the 1964 Olympic Games becoming the first Asian country to win the rights to the prestigious sporting event

Octavia Butler Joins Pantheon of Futurists — Octavia Butler Joins Pantheon of Futurists

The author’s career is honored by a newly commissioned work by digital artist Nettrice Gaskins

The Brilliance of Otl Aicher's Olympic Pictograms — The Brilliance of Otl Aicher's Olympic Pictograms

Having lived through Germany's Nazi regime, Otl Aicher went on to pioneer democratic design

Peek Into the World's Only Cardboard Boat Museum — Peek Into the World's Only Cardboard Boat Museum

For nearly 30 years, New Richmond has hosted the International Cardboard Boat Regatta, a high-spirited race on the Ohio River

New Video Game Investigates Slavery's Legacy — New Video Game Investigates Slavery's Legacy

"Blackhaven" finds a fictional intern working to uncover a colonial estate's hidden history while facing present-day racism

The 1964 Olympics Was Pivotal to Postwar Tokyo — The 1964 Olympics Was Pivotal to Postwar Tokyo

The economic and infrastructure rebuilding of postwar Tokyo was nothing short of a miracle. It culminated with being selected to host the 1964 Olympic Games becoming the first Asian country to win the rights to the prestigious sporting event

July 30, 2021

A Small Town in Ohio Is Home to the World's Only Cardboard Boat Museum

Smithsonian Voices July 30, 2021

Master Crosswords, Learn Embroidery, Visit Venice or Explore Copper Canyon, Mexico

Smithsonian Voices July 28, 2021

How Artists Challenge Mythic Conceptions of the American West

July 28, 2021

The Pioneering Sci-Fi Writer Octavia E. Butler Joins a Pantheon of Celebrated Futurists

Smithsonian Voices July 27, 2021

How Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Offers Solutions to California's Wildfires

Smithsonian Voices July 26, 2021

Reaching Out to Those Behind Bars

The Tokyo Olympics July 26, 2021

How Wheaties Became the 'Breakfast of Champions'

The Tokyo Olympics July 23, 2021

This Graphic Artist's Olympic Pictograms Changed Urban Design Forever

July 22, 2021

The Tokyo Summer Olympics: Smithsonian's Guide to the Games

The Tokyo Olympics July 21, 2021

For 60 Years, Indigenous Alaskans Have Hosted Their Own Olympics

More Recent Stories »

SmartNews Keeping you current

Trending Today

Widely Mocked London Tourist Attraction Closes Two Days After Opening

Was La Malinche, Indigenous Interpreter for Conquistador Hernán Cortés, a Traitor, Survivor or Icon?

New Video Game Confronts Slavery's Legacy Through a Historical Mystery

Art Meets Science

Canterbury Cathedral's 12th-Century Stained Glass May Be England's Oldest

How Does the West African Talking Drum Accurately Mimic Human Speech?

Explore Sylvia Plath's Love Letters, Recipe Cards and Tarot Deck

More SmartNews Stories »

Featured Arts & Culture Videos

Stratford-upon-Avon Is a Magnet for Shakespeare Lovers

This Greek Island Has Been Partying for 2,500 Years

Elevating the Forgotten Histories of Black Women Through Folk Music

Subscribe

Save 84% off the newsstand price!

First & Last Name

Last Name

First Name

Address 1

Address 2

City / State

City

State

Zip

Email Address

Enter your email address