Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the USA

“US Cultural Diplomacy: The Use of the Arts in Promoting Dialogue, Fostering Peace, and Initiating Mutual Understanding amongst World Cultures and Civilizations”

(Washington D.C. & New York City; June 24th - 28th, 2013)

American Cultural Exhibitions

During the “Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the USA,” participants will have the chance to visit a variety of captivating exhibitions in Washington D.C. and New York City which explore the role of the arts and history in US culture.

Washington, D.C.


Exhibition: A Democracy of Images – Photographs from the Smithsonian American Art Museum

This original exhibition promotes the concept of photography as being a fundamentally American and democratic medium of art. 113 photographs will be displayed together with works from the Smithsonian American Art Museum by artists including Annie Leibovitz, Irving Penn, and Walker Evans illustrating the evolution of photography from a documentary-style form of expression to a flourishing artistic genre.

Exhibition: The Price of Freedom – Americans at War

The Smithsonian American History Museum holds a permanent exhibition showcasing America’s military history and its role in shaping the present day United States. Over 800 artifacts, images, and interactive stations detail some of the most influential and decisive wars involving the US, from the Revolutionary War to recent conflicts such as the Iraq War. The exhibition looks at how these wars have affected American values and contributed to establishing America’s ideals of freedom and individuality as well as their impact on the US’s power on the global stage.

Exhibition: The Struggle for Justice

Held at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the exhibition 'The Struggle for Justice’ illustrates, through the display of over 40 artifacts and images, the lives of major cultural and political figures who fought for justice and civil liberties for disenfranchised groups. Among the influential and historically significant people honored at the exhibition are: African-American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, women’s rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Native American advocate Leonard Crow Dog, and gay and lesbian rights activist Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

New York City


Museum: The Bronx Museum of the Arts

Founded in 1971, the renowned Bronx Museum of the Arts celebrates the work of modern and contemporary artists. The Museum is committed to portraying the vibrancy of the Bronx’s cultural diversity and showcases works from artists of African, Asian, and Latin American origin. A variety of dynamic exhibitions are held at the Bronx Museum of the Arts throughout the year.

Museum: The Museum of American Illustration

Home to one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of American illustration works in the world, the Museum of American Illustration was established by the Society of Illustrators in 1901. Upon its creation, the society was supported by distinguished creatives including Mark Twain and Gloria Swanson, and has now captured the attention of artists worldwide. The museum’s permanent collection now consists of over 2,000 works by some of the biggest names in American illustration, and is constantly expanding. At the time of the "Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the USA”, special exhibitions will include ‘Works by Henry Patrick Raleigh’ and ‘Maurice Sendak: A Celebration of the Artist and His Work’.

Exhibition: The Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture

Housed in the New-York Historical Society Museum, the Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture gives visitors the chance to view over 40,000 objects from the society’s permanent collection. On display are objects from over four centuries of American history including paintings, Tiffany lamps, and articles of historical significance including the draft wheel that was instrumental in one of the worst riots in US history.

Exhibition: The World Culture Exhibition

The World Culture Exhibition, which is housed permanently within the New York Public Library, showcases a unique display of worldwide cultures while simultaneously promoting an intercultural approach.