CELEBRATE & SUPPORT

SMITHSONIAN National Design Awards GALA 2026

CELEBRATING 250 YEARS
OF AMERICAN DESIGN AND INNOVATION
MAY 19, 2026
NEW YORK CITY

10 NATIONAL DESIGN WINNERS
25 DESIGN HONOREES
1 EVENING OF DESIGN EXCELLENCE

In 2026, the National Design Awards gala will align with the 250th anniversary of our nation—a moment to celebrate American design as a force that has shaped American life and changed the world.

To mark the occasion, and for the first time in the Award’s history, ten Award winners as well as twenty-five individuals and companies will be honored for their contributions to various fields of design over the past 250 years of our nation’s history.

Featuring some of the biggest names in design, the work of this historic circle of visionaries represents the most transformative contributions to various fields of design—from technology, AI and digital innovation to architecture, fashion, media, product design, and more.

GALA BROCHURE

This milestone year is also anchored by two major exhibitions at Cooper Hewitt: Design Across Time, the unveiling of a selection of treasures from our permanent collection for the first time in over a decade; and Made in America, a powerful photographic exploration of American manufacturing by Christopher Payne. Together, these exhibitions underscore how design has shaped and continues to shape the human experience.

The 2026 National Design Awards Gala will take place on May 19 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in New York City. It promises to be one of the Smithsonian’s most high-profile events in recent history, bringing together the most influential names in design, leading philanthropists, and national media for an unforgettable evening.

See the Highlights