National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

06/01/2026

Nigerian-born artist Tyna Adebowale explores expansive meanings of motherhood in this 13-feet tall painting. “Lineage of Glory Too” is part of the artist’s series, a tribute to the maternal figures—both biological relatives and community leaders—in the Uneme community in Nigeria who raised her.

Adebowale often gives visibility to women, especially q***r women, in her work. She’s exhibited artwork around the world, including her native Nigeria, where same-sex marriage and civil unions are illegal.

This artwork is in the collections of our National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution and featured in the companion book for the exhibition “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” which explores how LGBTQ+ artists from Africa and its diaspora are part of a larger, joyful story of African art history.

🎨 : “Lineage Of Glory Too series.,” 2024, Tyna Adebowale, Acrylic on canvas, 152 x 81 in., Courtesy of the artist and Ellen de Bruijne Projects, Collection of the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Museum purchase

05/29/2026

Stay cool with us this season! 🌞🩵

Most of the National Museum of African Art is underground, making for a refreshing escape from hot weather. Skylights, stained-glass windows and a sparkly water fountain add natural light to our subterranean space.

Along with world-class art, our museum has welcoming areas with vibrant decor, comfy seats, books and more! We hope you'll stay a while.

The museum is open daily 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Plan your visit: https://africa.si.edu/plan-your-visit

05/27/2026

The Smithsonian Castle has reopened for the summer! Have you visited?

While you're here, be sure to stop by the National Museum of African Art. We're just south of the Castle on the east side of the Haupt Garden at 950 Independence Ave. SW.

Enjoy this vintage photo of the historic Castle as seen through a window in our museum.

📸 Jeffrey Wayne Tinsley, 1987, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 87-7965-34

05/22/2026

Summer solstice is approaching. How will you make the most of the longest day of the year?

📆 Mark your calendars: For the first time ever, Smithsonian will host its signature Solstice programming all weekend long!

Join us at the National Museum of African Art:

· Thursday, June 18, 5–6 p.m. | Artists talk on our exhibition "Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art" and related book

· Saturday, June 20, 6:30 p.m.–midnight | Gallery tours, performances, art, drinks for purchase, and more

Get the late-night schedule and details for summer fun across the Institution at si.edu/solstice

05/18/2026

How do you document your most joyful moments?

This painting “AMA ” by Dada Khanyisa cleverly mimics an Instagram post. The title uses social media jargon: (“Ask Me Anything”) and (“Woman Crush Wednesday”). An isiZulu caption “Vusa phela’ babes” (“Wake up, babes”) appears in the foreground. The group is taking selfies; one person has even been “tagged,” IG-style.

Speaking of their artwork, the artist says, “I suppose the thing is that joy is not taken seriously, even though that sounds oxymoronic. Joy is something to be taken seriously.”

See this work on view in “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art” at Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art through Aug. 23, 2026. Based on years of dialogue with African LGBTQ+ artists, this is the largest exhibition on this subject to date, with nearly 60 artworks, demonstrating how they are a part of a larger, joyful story of African art history.

🎨 Dada Khanyisa, “AMA ,” 2017, Acrylic and mixed media on wood, 116.1 × 147.8 × 15.7 cm, Collection of the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of John and Shari Behnke, 2018-11-1

05/14/2026

Did you know that the National Museum of African Art’s collection represents nearly every area of the continent of Africa?

The museum’s collection includes objects from all five regions of the African continent: Northern Africa, Western Africa, Eastern Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa.

Visit Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art at 950 Independence Ave. SW or explore our digital catalog at africa.si.edu/collection to see the breadth and depth of African art.

📸 "Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts," National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

05/13/2026

05/08/2026

Nestled between the Smithsonian Castle and Independence Avenue, tucked on the north side of Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, is the Fountain Garden.

It was created to suggest a walled paradise. On one end, a veil of cascading water streams down a tile wall.

Spend time in this tranquil public garden free of charge from dawn to dusk today on National Public Gardens Day and every day except for Dec. 25.

05/01/2026

Meet us in Venice — or virtually! — May 5–6.

National Museum of African Art Curator Kevin D. Dumouchelle will be in conversation with artists, curators and cultural leaders during the African Art in Venice Forum, held alongside the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition for critical dialogue and exchange.

The theme of the African Art in Venice Forum's 2026 edition is “Beyond Visibility: A Method of Inquiry,” proposing new frameworks for engaging African and diasporic practices on a global stage.

All panels will be live-streamed and recorded; more details to follow here: https://www.aavforum.com/forum-2026/

04/28/2026

Be a part of our story: Share a social media post that includes one (or more!) of your favorite National Museum of African Art experiences. Add and tag our accounts!

Our story begins when YOU tell it.

Need inspiration? Click this link to watch the video "Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art: The Story Starts Here" about our museum, how other forms of art have roots in African art and African art’s influence across generations: https://africa.si.edu/about