Events at the museum will include a “Teen Poetry Workshop,” featuring award-winning Sudanese American poet Safia Elhillo, who will lead a poetry-writing workshop, and drop-in design workshops inspired by textiles, jewelry, beadwork and more diverse traditions representing and empowering often-overlooked women artists. There will be a performance from the Coyaba Dance Ensemble on the crucial role of women in the art and history of dance and special docent-led tours of the museum’s galleries featuring works by female artists. Literary groundbreakers Ntozake Shange and Mecca Jamilah Sullivan will discuss race, women, urban life and the power of imagination among African diasporic literatures and cultures. More information about additional programming for the day is at Africa.si.edu. 

The full list of Smithsonian-wide events celebrating Museum Day Live! can be found on the Smithsonian’s website.

About the National Museum of African Art

The National Museum of African Art is America’s only museum dedicated to the collection, conservation, study and exhibition of traditional and contemporary African art. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. It is located at 950 Independence Ave. S.W., near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information about this exhibition, call (202) 633-4600 or visit the museum’s website. For general Smithsonian information, call (202) 633-1000.