Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards Education Program

In honor of the 2009 National Design Awards, the Cooper-Hewitt is hosting a series of free public programs celebrating design in Washington, D.C.

Venue varies by topic *see 2009 National Design Awards website for details.

Advanced registration is required at (202) 639- 1774.

 Launched at the White House in 2000 as an official project of the White House Millennium Council, the annual National Design Awards celebrate design in various disciplines as a vital humanistic tool in shaping the world. The awards are accompanied each year by a variety of public education programs, including special events, panel discussions and workshops.

Several of the National Design Award winners will be part of a series of free concurrent public programs starting at 10:00 a.m. July 24. Envisioned as a series of dialogues about the current state of design, winners will be paired for hour-long conversations. Members of the public can learn more about attending the programs by visiting www.nationaldesignawards.org.

“Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is honored to receive the patronage of First Lady Michelle Obama for its National Design Awards program,” said Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. “The National Design Awards recognize and promote design excellence, innovation and public impact, and the support of Mrs. Obama will immeasurably increase national awareness of design’s important role.”