The National Museum of African Art presents a rich diversity of artistic traditions from throughout the African continent and in the African diaspora. It is the only museum in the world dedicated to the arts of Africa over time, from the 11th century to today.
The museum’s work inspires diverse audiences—art enthusiasts, families, students, artists, immigrants and expatriates—to make connections across nations and cultures. We expand Americans’ understanding of historic African art traditions as well as new artistic practices emerging across the continent. We strive to center African art in today’s most pressing global conversations.
Under the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future, the museum is raising support for the following priorities:
- Endowing the museum director position to ensure consistent leadership for the museum and secure its financial future;
- Endowing a permanent global Africa-based curator, enabling the museum to fully realize its mission as a 21st century museum of African art;
- Supporting the museum’s collections through critical research and acquisitions in under-represented areas, including historic artworks, artworks by female and nonbinary artists, and decorative artworks.