Museum News
In Conversation
In Conversation
Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and Johnnetta Betsch Cole
Lonnie G. Bunch III
is the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and first historian to be Secretary of the Institution. He oversees 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research centers, and several education units and centers. He received France’s highest award, the Legion of Honor, in 2021.
Johnnetta Betsch Cole
is the author and editor of numerous books, president emerita of Spelman and Bennett Colleges, director emerita of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, and former chair and president of the National Council of Negro Women.
Magdalene Johnson Obaji
is the president and chief executive officer of NIS Solutions Corp., a woman-owned information technology services and management consulting company. Obaji has been a member of the advisory board of the National Museum of African Art since 2012, serving in a variety of capacities, including cochair (2016–19) and chair (2019–23).
Celeste Watkins-Hayes
coedited Speechifying and is the Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy, and professor of sociology at the University of Michigan.
Register here.
Open!
John Akomfrah: Five Murmurations
Internationally renowned artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah addresses the global COVID-19 pandemic, murder of George Floyd, and worldwide protests in support of Black Lives Matter in this visual essay of our times.
Drawing upon an extensive archive of images that mix iconic works of art with scenes shot and gathered in the globally fraught 18-month period between 2019 and 2021, Five Mumurations considers Akomfrah’s insights into post-colonialism, diasporic experience, and memory.
Smithsonian Statement on Possible Government Shutdown
In the event of a government shutdown, the National Museum of African Art will remain OPEN through at least Saturday, October 7, by using prior year funds. Visit si.edu for updates.
En caso de un cierre de Gobierno el 1 de oct., los museos, centros de investigación y el Zoológico del Smithsonian permanecerán ABIERTOS al menos hasta el 7 de oct. El Smithsonian utilizará fondos del año anterior que aún tiene disponibles para hacerlo. si.edu
Teaching Africa Day Rewind!
Changing the Narrative through the Arts
Join us for hands-on activities, dance, peer-to-peer presentations, educational games, stories, and book signing.
Presented in collaboration with the Africa Memory Game, Howard University Center for Africa Studies, Africa Access and the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association (ASA) and YehieEl Design. Special participation by Culture At Home, homeschool of D.C and Kings College Lagos.
Community Day
September 30, 2023
12:30–9:30 p.m.
About this event
Inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and collections, Community Day offers something for everyone.
Among this year’s highlights are:
Hair design workshop. – 12:30 – 3:30 pm
Culinary delights – 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm
Curator led-tour-2:30 – 3 pm
Drummer performers – 2:45, 6:00 pm
Discussion and fashion showcase with From the Deep costume designers – 3:30-5:00 pm
Sounds of Africa, celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop! – 6:30-9:30 pm
To register, click here
Open call for participants
Workshop showcases hairstyles from the African diaspora
Be one of 20 emerging hairstylists to join a workshop that showcases hairstyles from the African diaspora inspired by the mythic aquatopia presented in From the Deep: In the Wake of Drexciya with Ayana V. Jackson as well as those enslaved women wore on plantations around the world. Gain a historic perspective of hairstyling within the African diaspora and learn styling techniques and skills to create traditional, contemporary, and Afrofuturistic hairstyles.
Each workshop participant will create an Afrofuturistic hairstyle that could be seen in Ayana Jackson’s aquatopia Drexciya. All materials will be provided.
The workshop takes place September 30, 2023
12:30–3:30 p.m.
National Museum of African Art 950 Independence Ave., SW Washington D.C.
Eligibility and submission guidelines
Open to emerging hairstylists in the field of cosmetology, candidates must submit via a Google slide document
- up to four (4) examples of their work that demonstrate basic techniques of styling and design
- a photograph of a hairstylist who inspires you with an explanation for your choice
Send submissions to
- AfricanArtProgams@si.edu (include Community Day Hair Workshop 2023 in subject line)
- by midnight September 10, 2023
Notification: emails will be sent September 15 informing candidates of their participation
Registration: mandatory onsite registration begins promptly at 12 noon, September 30, at the National Museum of African Art.”