Spotlight Talks

Spotlight Talks is a recurring program at the Phillips Collection where museum educators lead focused, 15-minute conversations about a single work of art. Each talk offers a compact but deep dive into a piece from either the permanent collection or a current special exhibition, making the museum’s holdings accessible in bite-sized, engaging sessions. The program runs on a regular weekly schedule and requires no advance reservation, allowing visitors to drop in spontaneously during their visit.

Venue: The Phillips Collection, located in Washington, DC. The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm (Sunday 10–11 am members only, though the shop and cafe are open to the public). Members are always admitted free.

When: Runs daily Thursday through Sunday from March 21 through August 2, 2026.

Showtimes: Talks are offered at 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm each day the program is active.

Tickets: Free; the talks are included with general admission to the museum. No reservations are required — simply arrive at the designated meeting point inside the museum.

Duration: Each talk is 15 minutes long.

Focus: Permanent collection highlights or works featured in special exhibitions on view during the program period.

Accessibility: The Phillips Collection is committed to inclusive practices and accessibility for all. Visitors with specific needs are encouraged to contact the museum in advance for assistance.

Note: Because talks occur during regular museum hours, general admission policies and hours apply. Sunday mornings (10–11 am) are members-only, so non-members may need to arrive after that time to participate.