October is National Arts Month! Celebrate the arts by visiting 20 LA-area museums for FREE (hours vary per museum).
click here for a complete listing of participating museums.

Community Connections at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy

The first of a three-part seminar explores the racial learning gap with Professor Abigail Thernstrom, author, and vice chair, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Professor Richard Rothstein, former New York Times education columnist; and Shawn Arevalo McCullough?, superintendent, Maricopa County Schools (Arizona). KPCC 89.3 Airtalk host, Larry Mantle, moderator. FREE with reservations at this website or 213.623.6003

This program is co-sponsored by the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, an educational program of the National Museum that promotes democracy, diversity, and civic involvement. For more information, visit the National Center's website at www.ncdemocracy.org

This annual celebration of Downtown LA is chocked full of music and dance performances, exhibitions, screenings, and arts workshops. The National Museum is the "off the block" participating organization, featuring taiko performances, craft demonstrations, ondo lessons, and more. Please come and celebrate with the rest of LA!

For more information, visit the Downtown LA website

This summer the National Museum debuts four wonderful days created especially for families. Generously sponsored by Target, these special Saturdays are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together.

Family Folktales: Rabbits, Roosters, Monkeys, Oh My!
Throughout the ages, folktales have shined a light on magical worlds and mythical characters. Storytellers will share folktales from around the world that grab your attention, tickle your funny bone, and spark your imagination. Learn new stories and hear old favorites on this wonder-filled day of tales, legends, and myths. Free Museum admission all day.

Reservations are not needed.

Join us for our other Target Free Family Saturdays

July 8 - I am ... I can be ...
September 9 - More than Crayons
November 11 - A World of Percussion: Shake, Rattle & Bang!

Relive history and learn about present-day Little Tokyo with National Museum docents on this historic walking tour. $8 for National Museum members and $13 for non-members, includes Museum admission. Reservations along with comfortable walking shoes and clothes are recommended. Weather permitting.

Created by artists Nobuko Miyamoto, Dan Kwong, and others, the Collaboratory is a multidisciplinary initiative that trains emerging artists in the creation and presentation of cross-cultural collaborative performance and community-based residency skills. The work of this year's cohort will be showcased in three performances co-sponsored by the National Museum and National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. For tickets call 213.250.8800.

Created by artists Nobuko Miyamoto, Dan Kwong, and others, the Collaboratory is a multidisciplinary initiative that trains emerging artists in the creation and presentation of cross-cultural collaborative performance and community-based residency skills. The work of this year's cohort will be showcased in three performances co-sponsored by the National Museum and National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. For tickets call 213.250.8800.

Created by artists Nobuko Miyamoto, Dan Kwong, and others, the Collaboratory is a multidisciplinary initiative that trains emerging artists in the creation and presentation of cross-cultural collaborative performance and community-based residency skills. The work of this year's cohort will be showcased in three performances co-sponsored by the National Museum and National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. For tickets call 213.250.8800.

Our favorite improvisational comedy troupe returns with more ghoulishly delicious sketches that leave you screaming with delight. Bring a friend and join us for an evening of howls from this world...and beyond! Free with National Museum admission.

Cold Tofu is dedicated to promoting diverse images of Asian Pacific Americans through comedy and to developing multiethnic talent through education and performance. Find out more about Cold Tofu by visiting their website!

Welcome the change in season by creating pop-up cards depicting fall's rich beauty. $8 for National Museum members and $13 for non-members, includes supplies and Museum admission. Reservations required.

In 2005, the MAVIN Foundation, the nation's largest mixed race organization, sponsored the Generation MIX National Awareness Tour to shed light on America's growing number of mixed heritage youth and families. Chasing Daybreak follows five of the tour crewmembers as they travel across the country and initiate a national dialogue about mixed race people, families, and diversity. Throughout the process, they share their hopes, fears, and aspirations for the future of race in America.

Sponsored, in part, by Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.

Closing of the exhibition kip fulbeck: part asian, 100% hapa

How are contemporary artists using portraiture and portrait-making processes to examine, reflect, and/or challenge constructions of identity?

Kip Fulbeck and Los Angeles-based artists Shizu Saldamando and Jessica Shokrian gather to discuss the role of ethnicity, race, class, age, gender, and sexuality in shaping their work. The conversation promises to be a lively commentary on ways of seeing the self and others. Moderated by Steven Nelson, Assistant Professor of art history at UCLA. Book signing with Kip Fulbeck to follow.