Museum News

The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art invited young people across the DMV to submit their original photographs, drawings, videos and other forms of portraiture. The I Am Beautiful! Teen Portrait Showcase/Contest coincides with the exhibit Iké Udé: Nollywood Portraits. This year’s theme is “I am Beautiful”. Teens ages 15-19 were encouraged to explore beauty in individuality.

Caleb Patterson of Duke Ellington School of the Arts won the title of grand winner. Agyei Allrich of NationHouse Homeschool Support Program won first place. Mandichera Hargrove, also of NationHouse Homeschool Support Program won second place. Alex Mendez-Santana of Duke Ellington School of the Arts won third place.

See their work

Don’t be alone this Valentine’s Day!

Celebrate with us as we inaugurate our new Research Gallery.

The Research Gallery is a co-working, co-creating community space at the National Museum of African Art.
Here, artists, scholars, curators, creatives, students (anyone really) from the DMV and surrounds can

• Work on your own projects
• Participate in or host a workshop, meeting, conversation, performance
  and more.
• Access our Collections-art, library
  and archives

The space is for members, but membership right now is free!

Sign up at the opening event on February 14 or online from February 15, 2023.

With your membership, you can book a hot-desk, or a whole table, propose an exhibition or program, advertise your own art events, get VIP invitations to openings and events – and more!

The Research Gallery concept was developed from conversations with the arts communities in the area. It aims to support creativity, collaboration and community.

Reserve YOUR space at Eventbrite

Open Mic + Spoken Word Event
with host Tokia “2 Deep” Carter

February 19, 2023
5:30–7:30 p.m.

Busboys and Poets
235 Carroll St., NW
Washington, D.C.

To register, click here

Express yourself! Come join host, poet Tokia “2 Deep” Carter, and spoken word performers for an open mic event.

For the latest info about upcoming events, follow us on EventBrite.

Photograph by Monae Photography

Mon, Jan 23, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Express yourself onsite! Come join our host poet 2Deep for an open mic event to celebrate the beauty and art of the African Diaspora.

2 DEEP THE POETESS, a spoken word artist of Nigerian descent will be our host for Africa Out Loud. With over a decade of snatching microphones and captivating audiences, 2Deep’s resume reads like Who’s Who travel guide. From Cornell University to Ottawa University, American University to Penn State, United States to Australia, this German born-Alabama raised entertainer has spoken to crowds all over the globe. She’s opened for the late Gil Scott-Heron and performed for President Barack Obama’s first inaugural celebrations at the Washington National Cathedral. She was a four year undefeated slam champion, 2007 Talk To Me Eastern Slam Winner, member of Busboys and Poets’ 2009 Slam Team, Word War II Slam Champion, and prior Busboys and Poets’ Slam Master.

Tickets | on Eventbrite

I am Beautiful Teen Portrait Showcase/Competition will be open for submissions from December 15th-January 30th, 2023.

The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art invites young people across the DMV to submit their original photographs, drawings and videos and other forms of portraiture inspired by The Nollywood Portraits exhibit.

This year’s theme is “I am Beautiful”. Teens are encouraged to explore beauty in individuality.

All submissions must include your name, school, classification and an artist’s statement.

This teen showcase will coincide with the exhibit Iké Udé: Nollywood Portraits and will emphasize “individuality”. Teens must have a voice and a visual presence showcased and the theme, “I Am Beautiful“ emphasizes that the real beauty is individuality..

The museum will feature one grand winner and five honorable mentions. The grand-prize portrait along with all honorable mentions will be printed and displayed on the NMAFA website and other social media.

All submissions should be in PDF format,

Please forward all submissions and questions to penicp@si.edu.

A collaborative exhibition between the National Museum of African Art and Lincoln Cottage

Award-winning sculptor and found-object artist Georges Adéagbo (born in 1942 in Cotonou, Benin) is a virtuoso of site-specific installation, and has brought his transformational art to President Lincoln’s Cottage beginning January 17th, 2023 for a month-long special exhibition titled: Create to Free Yourselves: Abraham Lincoln and the History of Freeing Slaves in America.

Open now at Lincoln Cottage
140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW, Washington, DC 20011