Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection

Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection




What design meant in the late 19th century when Cooper Hewitt’s collection was started is not what design means now. The histories of design reflect the stories of our varied lives. Just as our lives change and evolve over time, so does design and its role in our daily interactions.




The national design collection, which has been part of the Smithsonian since 1967, is a living one that continues to grow and change as new works and ideas that define our times are added. Currently, the collection of over 215,000 objects spans more than 30 centuries across cultures from all over the globe. Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection features works brought into the museum's holdings since 2017 and points to a critical shift in focus of the nation’s collection.




Once rooted in aspirational decorative arts ideals, the criteria for acquisition are now more expansive and aim to better represent previously unexplored areas. As a result, the collection showcases aesthetic values and mastery of technique, but also speaks to the importance of socially responsible practices, racial and social justice, and the impact of the digital era and the climate crisis in our lives.




In this way, an ancient Egyptian lotus-shaped cup and the original coronavirus model (right), the oldest and one of the newest acquisitions in the collection, are symbols of their time and share a story about our understanding of the world.




The entirety of the collection, interwoven together, allows us to tell nuanced stories about who we are that both embrace and confront the past and help inform our possible futures.




We invite your conversation and discovery. Begin exploring in the gallery behind you to see where the collection started.




What would you add to the national collection of design? Let us know by using #CooperHewittAcquired.