Adult Programs

Adult programs

As the nation’s design museum, Cooper Hewitt offers a range of adult public programs and events that engage with our exhibitions and collections through exploring contemporary and historic design topics. From lectures and panel discussions to studio visits and hands-on workshops, our programming aims to share the power and possibilities of design.

For information about mansion and exhibition tours, please visit Tours.

A photograph of a room full of adults sitting down drawing at multiple tables scattered around a room. At the back of the room there is a screen that has a black and white photograph of an interior space. To the left of the room are three large dome shaped windows, and on the right side of the room there is a fireplace with bookshelves on both sides.

A photograph of a bird's eye view of a light skinned person with curly red hair sitting at a table and drawing an interior space on a piece of paper attached to a clip board.

A photograph of two women holding microphones and stand in front of an audience giving a presentation. The light skinned woman with long straight black hair speaking on the right is Es Devlin, she wears a yellow sweater and a chunky necklace. The light-skinned woman with short brown hair on the left is looking and smiling at Es Devlin. Behind them is a screen projecting an image of a stage composed of large-scale hands and playing cards that appear to be thrown into the air. The stage is set on a waterfront, and in the background the sun is setting.

A photograph of four people sitting in chairs across a stage. The light skinned man sitting in the middle, Seymour Chwast, is speaking into a microphone, he has a grey beard, wears glasses, and a baseball cap. Behind the group is a large screen projecting multiple images of posters and illustrations that relate to War, each designed by Seymour Chawst.

A photograph of two adults giving a presentation in front of a room of adults. The light-skinned adult with brown hair slicked back into a ponytail is speaking to the group. Behind them is a large screen titled, “Conservation: an introduction”, that has multiple images of people doing conservation work. In front of them is a table of various decorative objects that look like vases or candle holders.

A photograph, taken from above, of a group of people sitting down at a table and painting colourful dots onto small circular objects the size of a quarter. Various art materials are scattered across the table, including markers, paintbrushes, stencils, and coloring pages with circular designs that mimic the real-life objects that people are painting.

A photograph of a woman with shoulder length grey-blonde hair and a white knitted cardigan stands at a podium speaking in front of an audience. Behind her is a screen projecting a slide of multiple images, such as a color sample sheet, textile samples on a table, and a mood board.

A photograph of a group of people standing and looking at prints, carving tools, and carved wooden blocks or linocut. The light skinned person with short blond hair standing in the center of the group is taking a picture of the prints on their phone. The medium skinned person on the far right rests their head on their hand, looking inquisitive.

Upcoming Adult Programs

To see programs for all age levels, view our Calendar.

Three images of models wearing vibrant, colorful clothing. On the left, a person wears a long bright yellow dress with fringe. The background is low-lit in dark blue. In the middle, a person wears a short white dress with long sleeves. The sleeves and skirt are feathered, the bodice is beaded. The background is a blue sky and a cityscape. On the right, a person wears a black suit with sparkly silver geometric detailing, with lace garments and a large necklace and earrings. The background is well-lit in deep reds.

01/23

Thursday

Studio Tour with Naeem Khan

Thu. January 23, 2025
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET

Join us for a studio tour with Naeem Khan, a New York City-based fashion designer and winner of the 2023 National Design Award for Fashion Design. Naeem Khan launched his eponymous collection in 2003. During the visit, meet Khan and others from the studio’s team who will share about the history of their practice, the techniques and values of their work, and details of his work in keeping the tradition and craft of making clothes by hand. Attendees will get a tour of the studio and office space, getting to see the garments and techniques that are critical to Khan’s practice. View full event details here.

Event Address:
This program will take place offsite at the studio of Naeem Khan, located in the Garment District of Manhattan. The nearest subway station is 34 St - Penn Station (A, C, E or 1, 2, 3), within a 5-minute walk to the studio. The exact address will be sent to registered attendees before the event.

Get your tickets today.

$22 Adult; $15 Student, Educator, Senior, Visitors with Disabilities; $12 Museum Member

A small room made of light colored wood. The back wall has two small windows. The bed has a dark pink quilt and pink pillow, and is in the far left corner. Various shelves line the far right wall. A colorful textile is visible on the left of the image. A light purple border surrounds the image, with the words Making Home: Smithsonian Design Triennial at the bottom.

01/28

Tuesday

Making Home with Justice Lecture at The Cooper Union

Tue. January 28, 2025
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET

Deanna Van Buren, architect and founder of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces, will discuss the installation "Architecture of Reentry" in the exhibition Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial. Designing Justice + Designing Spaces is a design, architecture, and real-estate enterprise working to end mass incarceration and advocating for restorative justice solutions through the built environment. The “Architecture of Reentry” proposes Mobile Refuge Rooms as a prototype for private, customizable transitional housing for people returning from carceral spaces. View full event details here.

Event Address:
The Cooper Union Frederick P. Rose Auditorium
41 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10003

Get your tickets today.

Get Tickets

02/09

Sunday

Drop-in Game Time with “Philanthropy”

Sun. February 9, 2025
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

Play Philanthropy, a new board game exploring power and access inspired by Andrew Carnegie, whose mansion is now home to Cooper Hewitt. Designed by Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial participant Tommy Mishima, the game is inspired by Monopoly, with the objective to become the most influential and philanthropic agent through grant making, fundraising, and selling access to institutional research. View full event details here.

Event Address:
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
2 East 91st Street
New York, NY 10128

Free with Admission

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