4 Can't-Miss Exhibits at the Smithsonian

Founded in 1846 and made up of nearly a dozen museums and galleries on the National Mall alone, the Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex and one of DC’s marvels. These world-renowned museums are filled with history, science, art, and culture and serve to preserve and celebrate the country’s past. The best part is that they are all free. From the National Portrait Gallery to the Air and Space Museum, here is a guide to the top exhibits to add to your list of must-sees.

A group exhibition that examines the historical influence of various artist manifestos, Manifesto: Art x Agency is comprised of over 100 powerful works from the past decade. Now until January 5th, attendees will experience three distinct but thematically linked sections at the Hirschorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: pieces from the museum’s permanent modern collection (by artists like Salvador Dalí, Jackson Pollock, and Joan Mitchell), selections from its permanent contemporary collection (by creators like the Guerrilla Girls, Adrian Piper, Hurvin Anderson), and a multichannel film installation by German artist Julian Rosefeldt starring actress Cate Blanchett. Presented for the first time ever in Washington, D.C., the 13 chapters of Rosefeldt’s work will play simultaneously on different video projections, allowing visitors an immersive experience.