Washington, DC—This fall the National Gallery of Art invites visitors to enjoy a range of in-person and virtual programs featuring conversations with artists, performances by award-winning musicians, screenings of cinematic masterpieces, and more.

Highlights include the return of the popular National Gallery Nights program to the recently renovated East Building, the 80th anniversary of concerts at the National Gallery, classic and contemporary cinema from around the world, and a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon aimed at expanding the representation of Southern Black artists. In addition, concerts, lectures, and other events will offer audiences different ways to connect with current and upcoming exhibitions, including Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South and Sargent and Spain.

"We invite you to experience something new this fall," said Damon Reaves, head of education, National Gallery of Art, "whether listening to a new genre of music, watching a rare screening of an international film, hearing from distinguished artists, or exploring the East Building at night. The National Gallery’s free programs offer a variety of ways to learn something new and get inspired."

In-person programs take place in various locations throughout the National Gallery—including the West Building's lush West Garden Court and the East Building’s newly renovated auditorium. All programs are open to the public free of charge. Some programs require registration; details are listed on each event page. For most programs, registration opens one week in advance.

Exhibition Programs

Visitors can pair their visit with the many dynamic exhibitions planned for this fall. On September 13, a virtual panel of artists Kwasi Boyd-Bouldin, Terry Evans, and An-My Lê reflects on American Silence: The Photographs of Robert Adams. On September 22, artist Mel Bochner joins curator James Meyer for an in-person conversation on The Double: Identity and Difference in Art Since 1900. A symposium on October 22 organized by the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts will delve deeper into The Double. On September 24 the National Gallery of Art Library will host a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon inspired by Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South. A performance on October 30 by harpsichordist Ignacio Prego will be held in conjunction with Sargent and Spain, while a performance on December 11 will bring to life Venetian Renaissance music from the time of Vittore Carpaccio.

Lectures

The fall also brings opportunities to hear directly from artists and art scholars who will provide insight into creative practices. A virtual conversation between artist María Berrío and curator Molly Donovan on October 11 will be paired with artmaking programs featuring our recent acquisition of Berrío's work. On September 24 the National Gallery will host art historian and writer Kobena Mercer for a discussion of Mercer's newest book about art criticism during the Harlem Renaissance. A panel discussion in partnership with the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) brings artist Jeff Koons and actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith in conversation with Darren Walker, FAPE vice president, president of the Ford Foundation and National Gallery trustee.

Browse all upcoming lectures here.

Films

On September 24, in conjunction with American Silence: The Photographs of Robert Adams, filmmaker and educator Jason Livingston will share his recent short film Ancient Sunshine and will introduce both the 1975 original and the 2021 remake of James Benning's The United States of America. A two-part series related to Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South includes a presentation on October 1 by Jonathan Isaac Jackson of his recent documentary Big Chief, Black Hawk. On November 27, the documentary Thumbs Up for Mother Universe: Stories from the Life of Lonnie Holley, screens with a short film about Holley by Maris Curran. A series in honor of Sargent and Spain includes seven recent Spanish narrative and documentary premieres, predominantly by women, beginning on October 2. On December 17 and 18, two archival treasures featuring the Roma flamenco icon Carmen Amaya will be screened. The series Dark Mirrors: The Double in Cinema concludes on October 30 with American director Jordan Peele’s 2019 thriller US.

Other special screenings include a restoration premiere of the "lost" Dziga Vertov film The History of the Civil War with a live performance by Anvil Orchestra on November 6. Nine recently restored feature films by renowned Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, presented in collaboration with AFI Silver Theatre and Cinecitta Luce, will begin in November and continue through January 2023. On December 4, the annual Rajiv Vaidya Memorial Lecture will be delivered by cinema studies scholar and educator Dr. Gina Marchetti, chair of humanities and media studies, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York.

Browse all upcoming films here.

Concerts

This fall features a series of concerts, Many Paths, celebrating the variety of ways art and music express spirituality and faith. Performers include Navajo pianist Connor Chee, composer and guzheng master Wu Fei, and Silkroad Ensemble member and tabla master Sandeep Das. Wu Fei will perform Hello Gold Mountain, an original composition that incorporates traditional Chinese and Jewish plucked string instruments and is inspired by stories of Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai during World War II. Guitarist Sonia de los Santos, who was previously featured on the National Gallery's Sound Thoughts on Art podcast series, will join us on October 9 for an interactive performance perfect for kids and adults. The 2022/2023 season marks the 80th season of concerts. Concerts are held every Sunday afternoon, September 25 through December 18.

Browse all upcoming concerts here.

Other Programs

The highly popular evening program National Gallery Nights returns this fall with lively, multisensory, themed programs in the East Building on the second Thursday of September, October, and November.

Popular virtual programs for adults, such as The Art of Looking and Virtual Studio, and family programs such as Sketchbook Club and Artful Conversations, will take place throughout the fall. Onsite, our youngest visitors can enjoy the bilingual program Storytime as well as monthly drop-in art making. These complement adult offerings such as Looking Together, hosted monthly, as well as our many daily tours. Dates and topics vary and will be available at nga.gov/calendar and shared through our weekly newsletter.