Events &amp; Exhibits

Margaret Mee: Portraits of Plants

Centered on the paintings of botanical artist Margaret Mee, this exhibit explores the traditions of women botanical artists and illustrators primarily using materials from the Rare Book Collection.

Ancient Art at Dumbarton Oaks

In this online exhibit, explore a selection of ancient Mediterranean art in the collection, which offer an opportunity to consider the continuities and changes in artistic production from the classical to the medieval period.

Highlights from the Collections

Discover our collections in a selection of curated online exhibits

Dumbarton Oaks Response to COVID-19

As a public health precaution, the Museum and Garden are closed temporarily. In addition, for the remainder of the summer, as well as the fall term, all public events will be virtual.

We are closely monitoring developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and will update our website to reflect any changes to our operations and programming.

Upcoming Events

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Jul 01, 2020 - Sep 14, 2020

Segregation and Resistance in America’s Urban Landscapes

This virtual symposium addresses the everyday spatial practices through which marginalized communities resisted oppressions and constructed alternative or counter narratives and spaces.

Oct 09, 2020 - Oct 10, 2020

Faces of Rulership in the Maya Region

Through this two-day symposium, scholars aim to better understand concepts of rulership and governance in Ancient Maya culture.

Oct 30, 2020 - Oct 30, 2020

Rethinking Byzantine Masculinities: Gender, Sexuality, Emotions, Devotion

Four scholars engage in conversation about research on gender, sexuality, emotions, and devotion.

Online Exhibits

Explore curated selections from across our collections in a series of online exhibits. Select recent exhibits below, or view them all.

Margaret Mee: Portraits of Plants

Centered on the paintings of botanical artist Margaret Mee, this exhibit explores the traditions of women botanical artists and illustrators primarily using materials from the Rare Book Collection.

Art from the ancient Mediterranean represents a small but significant part of Dumbarton Oaks’ collections. When viewed alongside Byzantine art, these works offer an opportunity to consider the continuities and changes in artistic production from the classical to the medieval period.

Written in Knots: Undeciphered Accounts of Andean Life

Long before the arrival of the Spaniards, the people of South America had a system of recorded information that was portable, precise, and so complex that it remains undeciphered today.

Special Exhibitions

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Ancient Art at Dumbarton Oaks

February 10, 2020–July 2021

Margaret Mee: Portraits of Plants

Music at Dumbarton Oaks

Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss designed Dumbarton Oaks to be beautiful without and within, filling the gardens with flowers, the library with rare volumes, and the house itself with fine art and music. Music at Dumbarton Oaks, founded in 1946 as the Friends of Music, continues this tradition with classical concerts from established and rising musicians.

The 2020–2021 Music at Dumbarton Oaks concert series has been postponed to 2021–2022. Please read this message for more information.

Learn More Early-Career Musician Residency