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Most local events & activities have been POSTPONED or CANCELED to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Please check with the organizers for details.
March 2018
Smithsonian American Art Museum Cherry Blossom Celebration
Join SAAM and the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a celebration of Japanese culture! A taiko drumming performance kicks off the day, followed by Japanese music and dance performances, face painting, and cherry-blossom themed crafts. Make your own tatebanko (a Japanese paper diorama) with our friends from the Smithsonian’s Freer|Sackler Asian art museums. Take a scavenger hunt to find spring themed artworks, and more! The event takes place in the Museum’s beautiful, glass covered Kogod Courtyard. Check out the museum…
Find out more »Open House with Artists of No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man
Meet the artists of No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man and explore their art during this open house. Hear them talk about their work and the ethos of Burning Man. #NoSpectators FREE Renwick Gallery NE Corner, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC Learn more about the exhibition → https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/burning-man Participating artists: Michael Garlington and Natalia Bertotti Marco Cochrane and Julia Whitelaw Christopher Schardt Five Ton Crane Android Jones Aaron Taylor Kuffner Richard Wilks HYBYCOZO Scott Froschauer Roy Two Thousand Flaming…
Find out more »April 2018
Jazz Family Day
Come and jam at SAAM during Jazz Appreciation Month! SAAM celebrates jazz’s influence on artists with activities and performances. Improvise with your own jazz-themed crafts, complete a swinging scavenger hunt, and bop to jazz performances throughout the day. Event type Smithsonian Event Categories Kids & Families Location American Art Museum Event Location Kogod Courtyard Cost Free
Find out more »May 2018
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Family Day
Bring the whole family for a day filled with art, performances from different regions, and a variety of crafting activities. Make a parol lantern from the Philippines, or a rubbing inspired by Korean artist Do Ho Suh’s work. Explore the galleries using a scavenger hunt to guide you to works by Asian American and Pacific Islander artists in SAAM’s collection. Event type Smithsonian Event Categories Kids & Families Location American Art Museum Event Location Kogod Courtyard Cost Free
Find out more »July 2018
Smithsonian American Art Museum Arcade
SAAM is turning into an arcade! Try new indie games, get to know the developers, and play more than 100 video games. This FREE one day takeover includes classic arcade games, vintage consoles, and brand new games from independent developers. Enjoy snacks, soda, beer and more from the Courtyard Cafe. Don't miss #SAAMarcade! event location - 1st Floor; Kogod Courtyard For more information
Find out more »March 2019
SAAM CHERRY BLOSSOM CELEBRATION
Join Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a celebration of Japanese culture! A taiko drumming performance kicks off the day, followed by Japanese music and dance performances, face painting, and cherry-blossom themed crafts. Make your own tatebanko (a Japanese paper diorama) with our friends from the Smithsonian’s Freer|Sackler Asian art museums. Take a scavenger hunt to find spring themed artworks, and more! Check out the museum store for great DC and Cherry Blossom related products…
Find out more »October 2019
Preservation Family Workshop: Art & Me
H2Oh my! Experience the art of making and preserving watercolors by exploring the Lunder Conservation Center, where families can experiment with professional tools and learn different watercolor techniques. This program is part of a yearlong partnership with the Freer|Sackler and is for children ages three to five years old with adult participation.
Find out more »Día de los Muertos Family Day
Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with SAAM! Enjoy a day full of Mexican folk-dance performances, a live Mariachi band, and face painting! Leave your handmade ofrendas (offerings) including paper marigolds, calaveras (skull masks), and paper monarch butterflies on our beautiful Day of the Dead altar.
Find out more »December 2019
The Nutcracker Ballet Family Day
Celebrate the holidays with SAAM and the Washington Ballet! Join acclaimed Artistic Director Julie Kent as she shares behind-the-scenes stories about how the ballet company puts on their annual performance of The Nutcracker, then enjoy watching dancers perform highlights from this charming Christmas classic. Get in the festive spirit by creating winter-themed crafts or going on a scavenger hunt, and indulge in a hot chocolate bar and other tasty treats for purchase from the Courtyard Café.
Find out more »February 2020
Chinese New Year Family Celebration
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Chinese Embassy. Help ring in the Year of the Rat with a variety of performances and activities, including Chinese ribbon dancing, acrobatic yo-yo performances, and an interactive magic show. Artists from the city of Shenzhen demonstrate ink finger-printing, wood printing, and how to make hands-on shadow puppets and dough figurines. Check out calligraphy demonstrations by the Confucius Institute at George Washington University, and Chinese paper cuts and…
Find out more »Valentine’s Day Handi-hour Pop-Up
Celebrate friendship, love, and fun at our annual Valentine’s Day Handi-hour pop-up in SAAM’s dazzling Kogod Courtyard. Paper, scissors, stickers, glue, and more are provided for you to make the perfect sweet or snarky valentine. While you craft your heart out at this free event, drink specials and snacks are available for purchase from the Courtyard Café.
Find out more »March 2020
SAAM Cherry Blossom Celebration
Join SAAM and the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a celebration of Japanese culture. A taiko drumming performance kicks off the day, followed by Les The DJ spinning Japanese pop, funk, and boogie beats and the Koto Ensemble performing traditional Japanese dance. Enjoy face painting, make cherry blossom crafts, and go on an art scavenger hunt throughout the exhibition Chiura Obata: American Modern in the first-floor galleries. SAAM Cherry Blossom Celebration is presented by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Media…
Find out more »SAAM Cherry Blossom Celebration
Join SAAM and the National Cherry Blossom Festival for a celebration of Japanese culture. A taiko drumming performance kicks off the festivities, followed by Les The DJ spinning Japanese pop, funk, and boogie beats and the Koto Ensemble performing traditional Japanese dance. Enjoy face painting, make cherry blossom crafts, and go on an art scavenger hunt throughout the exhibition Chiura Obata: American Modern in the first-floor galleries.
Find out more »June 2022
In-Person Pride Family Day
Celebrate Pride with your chosen family at SAAM! Join us outside the museum on the F Street plaza and proudly march to the beat of DC’s Different Drummers. Enjoy a dance party with DJ Rosie Hicks, followed by an age-appropriate drag show featuring some of DC's finest performers, including Ruth Allen Ginsburg, Desiree, Tippa Buckley, and Molasses. Create your own to-go Pride craft: Pride flag-inspired jewelry (ages 8+), a multi-colored weaving (ages 5+), or a cloud and rainbow streamer craft…
Find out more »October 2022
Art & Me Preservation Virtual Family Workshop: Celebrating Ceramics
Something old, something new! Compare how ceramics are made today, in the past, and across the globe! Learn how conservators care for ceramics during this virtual family workshop. Attendees then create their own ceramic masterpieces with advice on how to protect their artwork. This hands-on workshop is designed for children ages three to eight and their caretakers and is co-hosted by SAAM and the National Museum of Asian Art. One registration per family. A Zoom link and a list of…
Find out more »December 2022
In-Person Winter Holiday Family Day
Celebrate the season with SAAM! Enjoy winter-themed crafting, face painting, and story time under the twinkle lights in the Kogod Courtyard. DeMoya Watson Brown will read The Nutcracker, the classic holiday story with Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy on their remarkable adventures. Attendees of all ages can groove to the beat of DJ Harry Hotter, and embark on a scavenger hunt in the galleries, to find winter-themed artworks. Participants also may take home an activities packet (while supplies last) to accompany The Nutcracker story time…
Find out more »