American Friends of SMK

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American Friends of SMK

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from American Friends of SMK, Art Museum, 31 West 34th Street, 7th Floor, #7010, New York, NY.

AFSMK - the American Friends of the Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery of Denmark) supports SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst through philanthropy, cultural diplomacy and meaningful partnerships between DK and the U.S.

05/25/2026

ARKEN Museum for Samtidskunst has opened the doors to a whimsical exhibition by Dambo. Featuring monumental trolls and a giant sculpture made from trash, the exhibition invites visitors into a universe of fantasy, curiosity, and shared play.
Thomas Dambo is world-renowned for transforming discarded materials into a magical world that remind us of the beauty in the things we would otherwise throw away. Thank you, ARKEN, for a wonderful exhibition.
Join AFSMK on a private tour there on June 6, and perhaps listen to the Danish Original podcast with Thomas Dambo beforehand… 😊

05/22/2026

SMK receives three paintings by Vilhelm Hammershøi in an exceptional donation from the estate of Henning Larsen. SMK holds the world’s largest collection of works by Vilhelm Hammershøi and also conducts ongoing research into his oeuvre. In 2027/28, audiences in the United States will have the rare opportunity to experience major exhibitions of work by Vilhelm Hammershøi in Chicago and NYC - curated by the Art Institute of Chicago and the Frick Collection.

05/19/2026

RUFUS GIFFORD - Former US Ambassador to Denmark Rufus Gifford reflects on US politics, Denmark, transatlantic tensions, and the post-Trump future after serving under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. For the episode, he chose En sejlads til Charlottenlund from SMK/National Gallery of Denmark.
Photograph source: Rufus Gifford

05/13/2026

Fruitful days on the other side of the Atlantic. Thank you American Friends of SMK, thank you New Museum, Phillips, galleries, The Frick Collection as well as patrons & friends. It is in the meetings, the conversations, and the shared experiences that new perspectives emerge, relationships are strengthened, and ideas are given the opportunity to grow. That is precisely why coming together matters — even when the world around us calls for reflection.

04/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined American Friends of SMK yesterday for a vibrant, pattern-filled journey into the world of Anna Thommesen ✨ We hope you left feeling inspired.
A special thank you to SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst - Workshop, where colors met, patterns unfolded, and creativity quietly lingered in the air.

04/14/2026

A month ago SMK acquired an unusually large charcoal drawing by Vilhelm Hammershøi from his time at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts! 🤗 The work comes from the Loeb Collection (former US Ambassador in Denmark), sold via Phillips Auctions in London, with more works from the collection set to be offered soon in New York. Congrats to SMK with this important addition to the collection supported by Hermod Lannungs Museumsfond.

Vilhelm Hammershøi, Study drawing after a plaster cast of an Ancient Greek Aphrodite torso from c. 500 BC, c. 1880, charcoal on paper, 75 × 48 cm

04/10/2026

Episode 100 🎉 with Originals — and we’re celebrating with longtime collaborator and American Friends of SMK- honorary, Lars Mikkelsen.
From his home in Copenhagen, the Danish actor talks about playing Captain Anderson in Frankenstein (2025), his early days as a street performer, and how Shakespeare set him on the path to acting. He reflects on Sherlock, The Killing, and Borgen—the roles that took him international and led to House of Cards.
We also dive into faith, Jante Law, his love of language, and the search for meaning in his work. Plus, Lars picks a piece by L.A. Ring from the SMK collection.

04/09/2026

A truly special evening at SMK, where chief curator Dorthe Aagesen brought new depth to Anna Thommesen’s remarkable life’s work.
Surrounded by more than 40 handwoven tapestries and striking commissions for iconic spaces like Roskilde Cathedral and Christiansborg, American Friends of SMK gained rare insight into Thommesen’s artistic process—rooted in traditional techniques and natural dyes she gathered herself.
An inspiring and unforgettable experience!
Photocredit:

03/18/2026

Excited to share that Danish Originals has taken off—literally ✈️

The podcast is now available on SAS long-haul flights, bringing stories of Danish creativity, culture, and innovation to an international audience at 35,000 feet presented in collaboration with AFSMK.

Wherever you’re headed, you can now tune in above the clouds. Thank you to SAS - Scandinavian Airlines for this great collaboration.

03/12/2026

Congratulations SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst:
TIME Names ‘SMK Thy’ One of the World’s Greatest Places! 🌾🌞🥳

“To be recognized by TIME as one of the world’s best destinations is an honor we’re incredibly proud of—and one we share with everyone who helped bring this dream to life. Through a unique collaboration, we’ve created a place where art, architecture, and landscape meet in a way that’s only possible here. SMK Thy opens a whole new gateway to art—and reflects our ambition to bring art into more people’s lives, all across the country.”
— Astrid la Cour, Director, SMK

Read TIME’s feature and explore the full list here:
https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places/2026/?filters=Europe

And if you haven’t heard yet: soon the doors to SMK Thy’s opens to the first full season (March 28) with a free season opening and two new exhibitions. Go go go explore! 🤗

Address

31 West 34th Street, 7th Floor, #7010
New York, NY
10001

Telephone

+12128124362

Website

https://www.afsmk.org/

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