Arts and Cultures

This year’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival marks the founding of the National Museum of the American Indian and honors the Indigenous voices across the Western Hemisphere it has amplified for more than three decades.

A century after photographer Edward S. Curtis photographed American Indian tribes in the western United States and Alaska, his great-grandson is photographing their descendants and recording their stories.

A few dedicated artists are revitalizing the traditional Native Hawaiian protocols and methods of “kākau uhi”—creating tattoos by tapping intricate designs into skin.

Smithsonian exhibition features six Indigenous artists who through their dedication and innovation are carrying their ancestors’ traditions and messages forward.

Filmmakers in the Americas challenge the Hollywood approach while tackling causes of climate change.

A new NMAI exhibition features the candid art of Six Nations Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) artist, photographer and filmmaker Shelley Niro—works that shine a harsh spotlight on society yet provide a healing outlet for her people.

Whether a community gathering or an international competition, the powwow has been a way for Indigenous peoples across North America to strengthen bonds and preserve their diverse cultures.

A new NMAI exhibition spotlights the bold, abstract artworks of Saulteaux Anishinaabe artist Robert Houle.

Plains Cree jeweler Erik Lee gains international recognition for his pieces that reflect his culture in silver.

Indigenous photographer Dugan Aguilar created rare images of Native communities in California that celebrate their traditions, resilience and contemporary lives.