In the Library: Reimagining America by Design
In the Library: Reimagining America by Design presents the Great Depression-era Index of American Design through the research and exhibition-making of students from George Washington University’s Corcoran School for the Arts & Design. The exhibition reveals how the students investigated the National Gallery of Art’s collections, archives, and library resources before developing exhibitions of their own.
The presentation changes during its run. From August 31 through October 30, “Research & Process” focuses on the students’ assignments, discoveries, and working methods. From November 2 through December 31, “Work & Play” features student work alongside National Gallery materials related to toys, games, dolls, and figurines, highlighting objects from the Index that were made for children.
When: August 31 through December 31, 2026
Showtimes: Open weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except federal holidays.
Venue: National Gallery of Art, East Building Ground Level, Library Atrium
Tickets: Free
Exhibition sections: “Research & Process” runs August 31–October 30. “Work & Play” runs November 2–December 31.
Background: The Index of American Design comprises 18,257 watercolors created by approximately 1,000 artists. Developed as a Federal Art Project during the Great Depression, it documented American folk and decorative arts from the colonial period through 1900 in an effort to identify and preserve a distinctly national artistic heritage.
Student project: During the spring 2026 semester, Corcoran students spent an entire term examining the Index through the Gallery’s collections, archives, and library resources, then created their own exhibition presentations based on their research.
Curators: Jet Inglis, Gabi Maldonado, Gigi Pilla, Abby Turner, Sophia Wegmann-Gatarz, and Polyxeni Ziazia, working with Kara Braciale, professorial lecturer at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at George Washington University, and Matthew Westerby, digital research officer for the National Gallery’s Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts.
Organization: Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Accessibility and logistics: The National Gallery of Art states that admission is always free. The museum is located at 6th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565.