Welcome to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
Explore the sweep of four centuries of the the American imagination at the nation's flagship museum for American art and craft. Dive into inspiring artworks, special exhibitions, and the reimagined collection — American Voices and Visions: Modern and Contemporary Art. 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, and more. Admission is always free.
Featured Exhibitions
March 28, 2024–August 26, 2024
Explore the creative practice of Amish quilters in the United States.
March 8, 2024–September 8, 2024
William H. Johnson's Fighters for Freedom series from the mid-1940s is a tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers, and performers as well as international heads of state working to bring peace to the world.
January 27, 2024–April 28, 2024
This exhibition from Smithsonian Gardens features 200 varieties of orchids alongside works by contemporary multimedia artist Phaan Howng.
September 22, 2023 — July 7, 2024
This focused exhibition pairs two projects by Carrie Mae Weems—a major multimedia installation and a series of photographs—that revisit moments from history.
September 15, 2023–August 4, 2024
The exhibition Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas provides an intimate view of Alma Thomas’ evolving artistic practices during her most prolific period from 1959 to her death in 1978.
September 15, 2023–March 24, 2024
This focused exhibition pairs artwork by two Black artists working in the mid-nineteenth century—photographer J. P. Ball and painter Robert S. Duncanson.
May 26, 2023-March 31, 2024
Artists Joe Feddersen (Arrow Lakes/Okanagan), Lily Hope (Tlingit), Ursala Hudson (Tlingit), Erica Lord (Athabaskan/Iñupiat), Geo Neptune (Passamaquoddy), and Maggie Thompson (Fond du Lac Ojibwe) present a fresh and nuanced vision of Native American art.
Audio Guides
Experience the Museum Your Way
Smartify's free personalized tours are tailored to your interests and the time you have available. Simply answer a couple of quick questions and we'll hand pick a collection of unmissable objects and captivating stories just for you.
Featured Stories
03/27/2024
Celebrating the renowned artist whose community-based practice involves interactions at the border.
Howard Kaplan
Writer
03/14/2024
Explore the themes of Music and Nature in Composing Colors: Paintings by Alma Thomas.
Katie Hondorf
Public Affairs Specialist
01/22/2024
Making artful connections in the new year ahead
Stephanie Stebich
The Margaret and Terry Stent Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
Featured Video
"Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas" Introduction
Pattern and vibrant color come to life in the work of groundbreaking artist and educator Alma Thomas. SAAM holds the largest public collection of Thomas's works in the world and the exhibition features many of the pieces from her most prolific period.
Welcome to "American Voices and Visions"
Leading contemporary artists featured in American Voices and Visions: Modern and Contemporary Art speak on the incredible power of art, and its important role in our lives and communities.
“Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice” Introduction
Explore William H. Johnson’s remarkable "Fighters for Freedom" series, which he painted in the mid-1940s as a tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers, and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world.