Adult Programs

Coinciding with Design Across Time—Cooper Hewitt’s current exhibition showcasing 125 works from its permanent collection of 215,000+ objects—join us for the launch of Making the Museum, a new public program series convening design leaders working with museums and collections from around the world as they share an inside look at redefining cultural institutions through design strategies. The series explores how design plays a role in the ways in which these organizations are adapting to shifting social, architectural, environmental, and technological contexts while still ensuring public access to these vast and intricate collections that tell the stories of our lives. Making the Museum kicks off on Wednesday, October 21 with an inside look at the recently opened V&A East Storehouse. In this first edition, hear from architect Elizabeth Diller and curators Brendan Cormier and Catherine Ince, the team behind the V&A East Storehouse, in conversation with Cooper Hewitt’s Director Maria Nicanor. View full event details here.

In a new landmark presentation of Cooper Hewitt’s collection, Design Across Time: Exploring Smithsonian’s Design Collection brings together more than 125 works across multiple design disciplines, including product and graphic design, fashion, textiles, digital design, wallcoverings and architecture. Join the curatorial team for an inside look at how this major new installation came together, from shaping its central themes to choosing objects from the... View full event details here.

Join designer Fan Kong for a hands-on workshop exploring the language of materials through bioplastics and bioglass. Inspired by Gaetano Pesce’s Nobody’s Perfect chair, this session considers how designers and scientists alike have reimagined materials as active, transformative systems.   View full event details here.

In conjunction with Frederic Church in Jamaica, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist Victoria Johnson shares the dramatic and consequential life of the artist Frederic Church, whose footsteps she followed around the globe for her new biography of Church, Glorious Country. Church’s curiosity, bravery, and passion for nature drove him to explore the world,... View full event details here.

Join us for a sensory-friendly evening of structured fun at Cooper Hewitt. Explore sketching from nature in the Church in Jamaica exhibition with interactive experiences, conversation, and creativity.  View full event details here.

Join designer Gina Gregorio for a hands-on workshop exploring the power of repetition through collaborative block printing. Drawing inspiration from repeating patterns found throughout Cooper Hewitt’s collection, participants will use custom-made printing blocks to create dynamic patterned fabric.  View full event details here.