2023 marked the 60th Anniversary of Art in Embassies
In celebration of that milestone, the initiative brought art events globally through artist exchanges, a traveling exhibition, civic engagements, events at cultural institutions, and an outreach program to expand AIE’s diplomatic art repository.
For six decades, Art in Embassies has put the power of visual art behind America’s foreign service imperatives. Through exhibitions, permanent collections, and artist exchanges, AIE strengthen ties with our allies worldwide worldwide by advancing mutual understanding through art.
In 2023, Art in Embassies initiated new events to strengthen ties with our allies worldwide: a traveling exhibition, artist exchanges across all regions, a worldwide competition for students, and an expansion of Art in Embassies’ repository of artworks. The 2023 year of events culminated in an artist-driven collection of lectures, an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the 60th Anniversary of the office.
There is a connection, hard to explain logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life and progress in the arts.
In celebration of its 60th anniversary, Art in Embassies launched its traveling exhibition, A More Perfect Union: American Artists and the Currents of Our Time, at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, May 23, 2023. The exhibition included works by some of the most respected contemporary artists in the United States and traveled to Lisbon, Portugal; Geneva, Switzerland; and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
On September 19th, artist lectures and public programming for the opening of the traveling exhibition, A More Perfect Union: American Artists and the Currents of Our Time. Kal Penn, Deborah Kass, Hank Willis Thomas, Sanford Biggers, Alfre Woodard, Alexis Rockman, and more participated in a variety of talks and panels.
For five consecutive nights in September 2023, Art in Embassies presented a new light projection by past State Department Medal of Arts honoree Jenny Holzer. The artwork, THE PEOPLE, commemorated Art in Embassies’ 60th anniversary.
Art in Embassies sends artists across the globe for civic dialogues and community engagements that explore the ideals that unite our allies and make America stronger.
Art in Embassies and the National Art Education Association launched their student art competition on February 15, 2023. The Best in Show winner was honored at Art in Embassies’ 60th anniversary celebration at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Art in Embassies thanks the organizations and individuals supporting the artwork collections and the 60th Anniversary events.