The Rockwell Museum is getting ready for the kickoff of its Smithsonian Speakers Series.

This is the first time the Rockwell is holding an event like this, and the goal of this series is to identify leaders in the Smithsonian network while exploring diversity. 

Since the Rockwell is a Smithsonian affiliate, it now has access to these speakers across the country.

Michelle Wilkinson will host the first night, Art & Activism in 21st Century America, on Tuesday night at 6:00 P.M. She is a curator at the Smithsonian’s newest museum – the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The program will feature her expertise in art and activism.

“She really looks at contemporary social movements, and so she’ll be discussing contemporary artists that are using art as a mechanism for activism,” Rockwell Museum Programs and Event Manager Brett Smith said. “She’ll also discuss some collecting efforts at the new museum and different ways to explore contemporary social movements.”

The second event next month will feature Adriel Luis – the curator at the Asian Pacific American Center.

Lastly, April’s speaker will be the Executive Director of the Smithsonian Latino Center Eduardo Díaz.

All three individuals are high caliber speakers.

Reservations are still open online at rockwellmuseum.org.