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U.S. Department of State

Democracy Collections

Celebrating 250 Years of America Democracy

Museums, galleries, collectors, and artists are marking the 250th milestone by gifting works of art to help American diplomats tell the story of America’s democracy. 

American Art Accelerating Diplomacy

As the U.S. approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Art in Embassies is working with cultural institutions, artists, families, and galleries to curate art collections that will be available for exhibition in U.S. Embassies and Ambassadors’ Residences under blanket long-term loan agreements.

On September 28, Art in Embassies and U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Sean Patrick Maloney announced the opening of a special exhibition, “The Art in Embassies Collections Exhibition: American Art Accelerating Diplomacy,” with French and American cultural leaders at the historic Weber House in Paris. The exhibition is curated entirely from new special collections lent by U.S. cultural leaders dedicated to advancing art diplomacy.

250TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION

Morning Colors, 2023, by Kristin Cronic, a recent 250 for 250 donation

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, Art in Embassies will add 250 new donated artworks to its repository of works, an initiative called 250 for 250. On the heels of AIE’s 60th anniversary Democracy Collection initiative, 250 for 250 artworks, combined with collections of long-term blanket loans from leading cultural institutions, will support American diplomats globally to celebrate 250 years of American democracy in 2026.

250TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION

Morning Colors, 2023, by Kristin Cronic, a recent 250 for 250 donation

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, Art in Embassies will add 250 new donated artworks to its repository of works, an initiative called 250 for 250. On the heels of AIE’s 60th anniversary Democracy Collection initiative, 250 for 250 artworks, combined with collections of long-term blanket loans from leading cultural institutions, will support American diplomats globally to celebrate 250 years of American democracy in 2026.