Now celebrating its 30th year as part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of African Art is home to diverse works of art from across the African continent. The museum's permanent collection features approximately 525 artworks from the world-famous Walt Disney-Tishman collection, including a rare 15th-century ivory tusk carved in Sierra Leone and bearing the coats of arms for Portugal's and Spain's ruling houses. In addition, the museum houses such outstanding examples of modern and contemporary works as a rare landscape painting by Nigeria's Ben Enwonwu and the atmospheric video Africa Rifting, by South Africa's Georgia Pappageorge.
"Yinka Shonibare, MBE" (opens Nov. 10). The most comprehensive exhibition to date of this internationally acclaimed London-based, Nigerian artist. This must-see show includes the artist's trademark sculptural tableaux, paintings, large-scale photographs and film.
"Artful Animals" (closes Feb. 20, 2010). Bring the family to this entertaining exploration of the symbolic and aesthetic role of animals in African art.
"The Walt Disney-Tishman Collection of African Art: Highlights" (indefinite). Sixty treasures from this canonical collection, including a spectacular beaded Yoruba crown and a rare Bamileke head crest.
The Museum Store offers a wide selection of merchandise inspired by the collections and the arts and cultures of Africa.
Although the African Art Museum does not have an on-site café, many Smithsonian museums do.
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