Opening and Screening
Thursday, Feb. 20
The annual Mother Tongue Film Festival, presented by the Smithsonian’s Recovering Voices program, celebrates the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day by showcasing recently produced feature and short-length films about the cultural richness of Indigenous and endangered languages. Recovering Voices, a collaboration of the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of the American Indian and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, partners with communities around the world to revitalize and sustain endangered languages and knowledge. Full schedule will be available https://mothertongue.si.edu/
February 21, 2020
Studio K
This incredibly funny and groundbreaking show begins when the director asks the audience to suggest a popular film title and then the cast, right there on the spot, improvises the “black version” of that film complete with its improvised soundtrack, dance numbers, DVD extras, audition reels, and much more.
Tickets: $25
Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name
Saturdays: Feb. 15, 22, and 29, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Rasmuson Theater
“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do stereotypes of American Indians, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, the audience is invited to explore the museum’s Americans exhibition to learn more.
This program is generously supported by the Rasmuson Foundation. Free; first-come, first-served seating. No registration is required.
February 28, 2020 at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Studio K
DC’s storytelling pros bring their best and funniest stories to the stage about real situations that are so ridiculous, you just have to laugh.
Tickets: $20-$25
Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name
Saturdays: Feb. 15, 22, and 29, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Rasmuson Theater
“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do stereotypes of American Indians, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, the audience is invited to explore the museum’s Americans exhibition to learn more.
This program is generously supported by the Rasmuson Foundation. Free; first-come, first-served seating. No registration is required.
The first Sunday of the month is Community Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts! Visit us on Community Day for free admission to the museum—take this opportunity to explore our collection and special exhibitions before they close.
Current exhibitions on view: Graciela Iturbide’s Mexico tells a visual story of Mexico since the late 1960s through the groundbreaking photography of celebrated Latin American artist Graciela Iturbide. Delita Martin: Calling Down the Spirits features multimedia artist Delita Martin’s meticulous, multilayered and monumental portraits, particularly of black women. Betsabeé Romero: Signals of a Long Road Together is the latest installation in NMWA’s public art series, the New York Avenue Sculpture Project.
Fierce Women Tours
Fierce Women Tours are available from 1–2 p.m. during Free Community Days. Discover a diverse cast of fierce women artists who refused to let men define their place; pushed back on the limited roles society accorded them; and blazed trails as artists, activists and innovators.
WHERE:
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-783-5000
nmwa.org
WHEN:
Community Day: Sunday, March 1, 12–5 p.m.
Fierce Women Tour: 1–2 p.m.
TICKETS:
No tickets are required for Community Days, but space is limited for Fierce Women Tours. First come, first served; sign up at the Information Desk upon arrival. Tours departs from the Great Hall.
One Woman One Vote 2020 Presents Merata: How Mum Decolonized the Screen
(New Zealand, 2018, 89 min. Director: Hepi Mita)
Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m.
Rasmuson Theater
A documentary portrait of the pioneering Indigenous filmmaker and activist Merata Mita, Merata is an intimate tribute from a son about his mother that delves into the life of the first woman from an Indigenous Nation to solely direct a film anywhere in the world.
Merata Mita was a woman of firsts: the first Māori documentarian, the first Māori woman to write and direct a feature film on her own, a trailblazing activist who broke taboos in New Zealand by speaking openly of racism and domestic violence. Her most important role was being a mother. Merata Mita’s youngest child, filmmaker Heperi (Hepi) Mita, tells Merata’s story through a unique lens that shares her inspirational life and legacy.
The museum is hosting Merata in collaboration with the One Woman One Vote 2020 Festival—films, concerts, exhibitions and public events celebrating the centennial of the 19th Amendment presented by an association of national organizations and cultural institutions. Bringing together a coalition of women in the film and media industry, the festival embraces both history and contemporary issues that make a difference for all women today.
Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name
Sunday: March 8, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Rasmuson Theater
“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do American Indian stereotypes, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, the audience is invited to explore the Americans exhibition to learn more.
This program is generously supported by the Rasmuson Foundation. Free; First-come, first-served seating. No registration is required. Please note that event dates and times are subject to change, check the museum’s website for the latest schedule.
International Women’s Day
Sunday, March 8, 12–5 p.m.
Celebrate International Women’s Day at NMWA with free admission! The museum hosts signature Fierce Women and #5WomenArtists tours, hands-on activities for young learners, special offers in the museum shop and more. The Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center, usually only open on weekdays, will also welcome visitors. Visit the calendar for more details about tour times and programs. Free. No reservations required.
Wikipedia Edit-a-thon: Women Artists of Latin America
Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
NMWA hosts its 7th annual Art+Feminism edit-a-
