The Smithsonian American Art Museum has engaged Selldorf Architects to revitalize its permanent collection galleries and renew key public spaces, marking the first comprehensive reinstallation of the museum’s exhibition and interpretation spaces since 2006 when its National Historic Landmark building was last renovated. The design will set the stage for a new vision of American art at the nation’s flagship collection, showcasing newly acquired works, foregrounding new voices, and adding interpretation strategies that will present a more inclusive narrative of American art, including the often-overlooked contributions of Black, Latinx, Asian American, LGBTQ+, Indigenous and women artists.
Selldorf Architects began creating a concept and design master plan in 2020. The design plan highlights the grandeur of the historical architecture while creating new display spaces, including a dedicated gallery for time-based media that will debut with a major video installation, “Lincoln, Lonnie and Me – A Story in 5 Parts” (2012) by Carrie Mae Weems.
Selldorf Architects is a 70-person architectural design firm founded in New York City in 1988. The firm has expertise in cultural and art-related projects, having designed museums, galleries, artists’ studios and collectors’ homes.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is the flagship museum in the United States for American art and craft. It is home to one of the most significant and inclusive collections of American art in the world. The museum’s main building, located at Eighth and G streets N.W., is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum’s Renwick Gallery, a branch museum dedicated to contemporary craft, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check online for current hours and admission information. Admission is free. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Website: americanart.si.edu
