Rendering Visible is a digital collecting initiative focused on the creative production of black architects. This initiative will allow the Museum to identify architectural illustrations that may be suitable for inclusion in the Museum's collection of digital images.
The goal of Rendering Visible is to document the creativity of black architects and designers. We are interested in sketches, renderings, and artistic illustrations that convey the intent and concept of a design project. From the materials submitted, our staff will identify illustrations to be considered for an online archive and/or print publication about the architectural imagination.
Online submissions for Rendering Visible are currently closed. If you have submitted material, you may be contacted by our team by November 30, 2020. We appreciate your patience as we review the numerous submissions received.
Our Museum, like all Smithsonian museums, hopes to benefit from donations of artifacts and archival documents. However due to the volume of offers we cannot accept materials through the mail without prior communication. Thank you to all those who submitted materials online for consideration.
Drawing by E. Donald Van Purnell. Courtesy of Arthur Symes.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Trumpauer-Mulholland Collection
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from Architectural Design Archives, Michael Marshall, Architect
Courtesy of Adjaye Associates.