African Art Museum
Why the Smithsonian Adopted a New Policy on Ethical Collecting
For more than a century, museum artifacts were acquired in ways we no longer find acceptable. How can we repair the damage?
The Smithsonian's Plan to Return the Benin Bronzes Comes After Years of Relationship Building
The ground-breaking move heralds a new path for interactions between African and Western institutions
Smithsonian Tells Museum and Zoo Visitors Masks Are Now Optional
Face coverings mandate is lifted this Friday, as more museums resume daily visiting hours
Photographer Iké Udé Is Retelling Africa's Narrative With the Power of Portraiture
A new show celebrates the stars of Nigeria's Nollywood, the country’s vibrant $3 billion film industry
Twenty-Two Smithsonian Shows to See in 2022
Falcon hunting, Watergate, a Kusama mirror room and the new Latino Gallery await
Why the Smithsonian's Museum of African Art Removed Its Benin Bronzes From View
Displaying the looted artworks does "a huge amount of harm,” says director Ngaire Blankenberg, who has affirmed her commitment to repatriating the objects
Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Will Reopen in June
Discover tips for visiting the T-Rex, the Hope Diamond and more, when 10 Smithsonian museums reopen this summer
Germany Will Return Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in 2022
Culture Minister Monika Grütters describes the move as a "historic milestone"
Smithsonian Announces the Zoo and Seven Museums Open in May
You'll finally be able to see the baby panda in person; here's our comprehensive list of what's on view and tips for visiting
How a Pioneering Ceramicist Is Using Pottery to Reclaim Black History
Jim McDowell, known to many simply as “the Black Potter,” is a ceramicist who specializes in a craft with deep connections to lost histories
Meet the First Black Woman to Represent the U.S. at the Art World's Biggest Fair
Simone Leigh, whose large-scale ceramics explore black female subjectivity, will exhibit her work at the 2022 Venice Biennale
Celebrate Mother's Day With These Artworks From the Smithsonian Collections
These paintings, sculptures and illustrations honor the bonds of motherhood
Twenty Smithsonian Shows to See in 2020
Women inventors, baseball stamps and a new Kusama Infinity Room are among the offerings
How the Heroes of Africa Triumphed Against All Odds
At the African Art Museum the inspiring stories of 50 individuals from the continent are honored in classical and contemporary works of art
Eight Innovators to Watch in 2020
From plastic recycling pioneers to landmine foes, these dreamers have big plans for the coming year
As African Art Thrives, Museums Grapple With Legacy of Colonialism
Museum leaders met in Washington D.C. to talk about what's next for the continent's cultural sector
Women's Voices Ring With a Resounding Roar in This New Show
The African Art Museum raises the profile of female artists showcasing their works from its collections
Artist Jeffrey Gibson’s Artwork Activates Overlooked Histories and Marginalized Identities
The National Portrait Gallery’s “Identify” performance showcases the multimedia artist’s masterful 50-person drumming event
How Blacksmiths Forged a Powerful Status Across the Continent of Africa
Iron tools, weapons, musical instruments and sculptures tell a tale of centuries of the craft’s influence
Why There Is More to Gold Than Meets the Eye
The Smithsonian’s Gus Casely-Hayford says the precious metal was both a foundation for massive West African empires and a cultural touchstone
