The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

Making the Most of Your Visit to the National Museum of African American History & Culture

August 20, 2018

The grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) was almost two years ago, but getting your hands on tickets can still be quite a challenge. But luckily, for the entire month of September, entry to the museum will be on a first-come, first-served basis Monday through Friday.

If you haven't heard by now the museum can be very emotionally moving experience, but also overwhelming. The beautiful building, designed by David Adjaye features six levels of galleries that could easily take a few days to explore. With over 36,000 artifacts, documents and media in its collection, it's important that you have a strategy to make the most of your visit.

Like all Smithsonian museums, admission is always free. However, timed passe s to visit the museum are required for entry. Same-day timed passes are available on their website beginning at 6:30 a.m. daily. However, veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders do not require a pass to visit the museum and may bring one guest along with them. As mentioned previously, for the entire month of September, individuals may enter the museum on a first-come, first-served basis Monday through Friday.

Here’s 10 tips on how to make the most of your visit to the NMAAHC:

Eat a big breakfast (or lunch) before you go. Food is not allowed in the museum, but various food options are available at the museum's Sweet Home Cafe. View the menu here.
Take public transportation to the National Mall. Parking in downtown DC can be (an expensive) challenge. Taking the Metro train to the Smithsonian stop is a much smarter option, with the NMAAHC within walking distance. View the Metro map and time schedules here.
Check the events calendar and list of special exhibitions before you arrive. Prioritize the exhibits you definitely want to see during your visit. Watching Oprah: The Oprah Winfrey Show and American Culture is the newest.
Download the NMAAHC app before your visit. Available for iOS and Android here.
Wear comfortable shoes for hours of walking and standing.
Bring bottled water. It is allowed in the museum.
Arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled ticket time.
Pack light. There is no coat check so be prepared to carry your coat or bag with you throughout the museum.
Start on the top floor and work your way down. This is the best strategy to avoid the crowds if you don't want to waste time standing in line for the lower-level galleries.
Don’t try to read every artifact’s description. Every item in the museum is intriguing, but you won't get to see much if you try to read every detail. Use your first visit to get an overview and dive in for more detail on a future visit.

Fountain inside the NMAAHC's Contemplative Court

(photographs by Leah Castleberry)

These Current Exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago Document the Black Experience

July 9, 2018

The Art Institute of Chicago has consistently been ranked among the top museums in the world. It is also one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country and it can take a few visits to take it all in.

There are a number of resources that make the museum's world-renowned collections are accessible to all:

General admission is free to Illinois residents every Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. throughout the year. Admission is always free for children under 14.
You may also use the Chicago Public Library's Kids Museum Passport for free admission for a group of up to four people, as long as you have at least one child with you. Just check out the Art Institute Passport from your local library branch as you would a book.
Reduced general admission pricing is also available for students and seniors. Learn more about ticket pricing on the Art Institute website.

The exhibitions listed here are currently on display, showcasing the beauty of the African diaspora and the international Black experience.

Cauleen Smith: Space Is the Place (A March for Sun Ra)

Through August 5, 2018

Smith employed a cinema verité–like style to capture the Rich South High School marching band performance of an experimental composition by pioneering composer and performer Sun Ra.

Volta Photo: Starring Sanlé Sory and the People of Bobo-Dioulasso in the Small but Musically Mighty Country of Burkina Faso

Through August 19, 2018

This exhibition brings together photography and popular music of the West African country to present an immersive experience of a young nation negotiating its various identities.

Charles White: A Retrospective

Through September 3, 2018

Over 80 paintings, drawings, and prints come together to trace Charles White’s four-decade career from his emergence in Chicago through his mature work as artist, activist, and educator.

Never a Lovely So Real: Photography and Film in Chicago, 1950–1980

Through October 28, 2018

Providing a poetic survey of photographers and filmmakers who worked in neighborhoods across the city from the 1950s through the 1970s, this portrait of Chicago speaks to its allure and its brutality.

See a complete list of 300 works throughout the museum by African American artists here.

Learn more about the Art Institute's collection of African art here.

(Exhibition descriptions and images are from the Art Institute’s website.)

Happy 60th Birthday, Prince: A Purple Tour of Minneapolis

June 29, 2018

What a better way to bring African American Music Appreciation Month (formerly known as Black Music Month, renamed by President Obama in 2009) to a close than by recognizing and celebrating one of music's greatest icons. Earlier this month, Prince would have celebrated his 60th birthday. Although he was not big on birthday celebrations himself, I decided to take a trip to his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota that week in his honor. This trip was one of my most memorable ones domestically or internationally.

Prince was so proud to be from Minneapolis and the city had a huge impact on his development as an artist. If you ever have the opportunity to take a quick trip to the Twin Cities, I highly recommend you make these stops a priority!

Paisley Park

Paisley Park was Prince’s personal playground. He had this 65,000 square-foot facility built in Chanhassen, Minnesota in the 1980s. It includes music studios, a sound stage and his NPG Music Club where he would host parties and events. Prince recorded most of his albums here, and so did many other artists such as Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Celine Dion. The soundstage was used to film several music videos and the film Graffiti Bridge, the sequel to Purple Rain.

Unfortunately, photos are strictly prohibited inside, but touring the massive space and seeing everything from Prince’s handwritten songs and Grammy collection, to his outfits and doves (yes, I saw Prince’s actual doves! 🕊) is something you must experience for yourself.

Grafitti Tunnel

Since Prince’s passing, fans have covered the walls of the Riley Creek tunnel into a tribute to the music icon—some are even calling it the new “Graffiti Bridge.” The tunnel runs between Paisley Park and Lake Ann Park, so it is a must stop if you are visiting Paisley Park as well.

Prince Mural at Chanhassen Cinema

This 40-foot mural by New Zealand artist Graham Hoete, was painted on the wall of the Chanhassen Cinema, not long after Prince’s death.

First Avenue & 7th Street Entry

If Paisley Park was Prince’s first creative home, First Avenue was his second. This club is where Prince got his start in the Minneapolis music scene. Many of Purple Rain’s club scenes were filmed here, helping catapult the venue to legendary status.

The walls of the club are covered with silver stars and the names of musical acts from all genres—from Rock to Hip-Hop—that have performed here over the years. After Prince’s passing, his star was painted gold in his remembrance.

Schmitt Music Mural

In 1977, Minnesota-based photographer Robert Whitman took several photos of a young Prince, who was then on the rise in the Minneapolis music scene, looking for a record deal and in need of a press kit. The Schmitt Music mural, located in downtown Minneapolis, was one of the sites of their shoot. View all of Whitman’s Prince photo’s here.

“Prince From Minneapolis” exhibit at Weisman Art Museum

In a nearly year-long celebration of Prince’s legacy, the Weisman Art Museum displayed an exhibit entitled “Prince from Minneapolis.” This exhibit featured various artistic creations in tribute to the artist while highlighting the ways in which the city shaped Prince as an artist. (This exhibit is no longer on display.)

"I Would Die 4 U" mural by Rock "Cyfi" Martinez (2017)

Prince bicycle by independent frame builder, Erik Noren of Peacock Groove; winner of Best in Show and Best Theme Bike at the 2017 North American Handmade Bicycle Show.

"Grego Morphing into Prince" (2008) by Burhan C. Dogancay

1987 portrait by Minnesotan seed artist, Lillian Colton. Materials: timothy, canola, poppy, bromegrass, and grits

The Prince Piano

The mpls downtown council featured “Pianos on Parade”, 25 uniquely designed pianos for the public to play throughout downtown Minneapolis. This Minneapolis music-themed paino, featuring Prince and seveal Minneapolis musicians who were influenced by him, was placed outside of the MacPhail Center for Music.