America Now:
Pilobolus and Portraiture
Friday, May 22 | 7 to 10 p.m. | Kogod Courtyard
INNOVATION has been at the heart of American ideals since the Declaration of Independence. America Now, a new Smithsonian series, highlights innovation in art, history, and culture.
See performances and join workshops by acclaimed dance group Pilobolus. View Bo Gehring's innovative portraits of the modern dance group on huge screens, and sit for your own video portrait by Bo Gehring and share it on social media. This event is free and is made possible by the generous support of the Robert and Arlene Kogod Foundation.
Featured Events
Curator's Tour: "Time Covers the 1960s" | Friday, May 1, noon
Relive the 1960s as historian Jim Barber leads a tour of some of the Portrait Gallery's collection of more than 2,000 works that graced the cover of Time magazine |
Innovation Family Festival | Saturday, May 2, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Catch the spirit of innovation as we celebrate creativity invention and thinking outside of the box...or container! After this festival, you'll never look at a milk carton the same way again. |
Face to Face: John F. Kennedy | Thursday, May 21, noon Elaine de Kooning's portrait of John F. Kennedy was a watershed work in the artist's career. Learn more about the artist, the sitter and the Abstract Expressionist era with chief curator Brandon Fortune. |
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Three Films with the National Gallery of Art | Saturday, May 30 Experience captivating artistic landscapes with films presented by the National Gallery of Art.
2 p.m.:Two Museums and D'Annunzio's Cave |
Family Events
Open Studio Fridays | Fridays, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 1 to 4 p.m. Join us on Friday afternoons for some creative fun! Check out a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum. You may also explore a different art material each week. |
Portrait Discovery Kits | Saturdays, May 9, 16, 23, 30, 1 to 4 p.m.; Sundays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2 to 5 p.m. Use your imagination to learn more about people who are in the National Portrait Gallery and their contributions to American history. |
For Young Visitors and Their Families
Portrait Story Days | Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m.; Sundays, 2-5 p.m.
Listen to a story about a great American in the Portrait Gallery's collection, then participate in a hands-on activity.
Thomas Alva Edison: Sunday, May 3
Mary Cassatt: Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10
Duke Kahanamoku: Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17
Anna May Wong: Saturday, May 23 and Sunday May 24
Isamu Noguchi: Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31
Young Portrait Explorers: Mary Cassatt | Monday, May 11, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Discover the National Portrait Gallery through history and art in an interactive program about Mary Cassatt. Registration required.For Toddlers up to age 5 and their adult companions.
Videos