The Smithsonian is hosting this public forum to discuss the complex roles, responsibilities and constraints of organizing and presenting exhibitions in public institutions.
The Tuesday evening session will focus in part on the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition “Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture.” Discussion topics will include difficulties in representing sensitive gender and sexuality subjects in public institutions.
The daylong session Wednesday will focus on curation—listening to artists, scientists, public figures and cultural communities; exhibitions in a national museum; and museum stakeholders and curation.
The forum will have several public-comment and Q&A sessions.
Tuesday, April 26; 6–9 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27; 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Meyer Auditorium capacity is about 300. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Both sessions are free and open to the public and will be webcast at www.si.edu/flashpoints