Smithsonian Marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Smithsonian Institution is commemorating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month throughout May with a diverse array of exhibitions, public programs, and digital content. These initiatives, spanning its Washington, D.C., museums and research centers, aim to highlight AANHPI histories, artists, and cultural traditions.

Spotlighting AANHPI Voices

Curators, scholars, and community partners are collaborating to present a variety of events. Smithsonian museums are hosting talks, performances, and gallery installations specifically designed to feature AANHPI voices. Concurrently, online content and social media features will broaden the reach of these programs to national and international audiences.

Organizers have stated that the initiative seeks to link historical collections with contemporary community narratives and to bring forth underrepresented stories within the Institution's extensive holdings.

Participating Smithsonian Units and Educational Resources

Several Smithsonian units, including national museums, research centers, and archives, are actively participating. Each unit is contributing exhibitions and public-facing events that focus on AANHPI heritage and culture. The Institution plans to promote community-curated projects and academic research exploring themes of migration, identity, arts, and the civic contributions of AANHPI communities.

Beyond the month of May, the Smithsonian is also providing educational resources for teachers and families, encouraging year-round engagement. Visitors can find details on schedules, ticketing requirements, and special events on individual museum pages and the central Smithsonian events calendar, where they can also explore related objects and stories on the institution's website.