Investigating Where We Live

Investigating Where We Live, awarded the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award in 2013, is a five-week summer program at the Museum for teens from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Participants use digital cameras, creative writing, interviews, and their own observations to explore, document, and interpret the built environment in D.C. neighborhoods. They use their findings to design and install an exhibition in the Museum.

Teens interested in applying or for more information can email teenprograms@nbm.org.

Social Media

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Past Exhibitions and Neighborhoods

Investigating Where We Live: For You by Youth: Urban Landscapes Reimagined (August 10, 2019–Summer 2020).

Investigating Where We Live: a space for us (August 5, 2018–January 14, 2019).

Investigating Where We Live: District of Culture (August 5, 2017–January 15, 2018).

Investigating Where We Live: Change in Focus (August 5, 2016–June 8, 2017)
Participants looked at how D.C. has transformed in the past 10 years.

Investigating Where We Live: New Monuments Revealed (July 25, 2015–June 6, 2016)
D.C. is well known for its monuments and memorials, and participants examined what the city chooses to remember as well as made suggestions for new monuments.

Investigating Where We Live: D.C. Now & Next (August 2, 2014–June 7, 2015)
Participants looked at the city as a whole, identifying themes and photos they felt portrayed the area’s diversity.

Investigating Where We Live: Recapturing Shaw’s Legacy (July 26, 2013–June 8, 2014)
Shaw

Investigating Where We Live: Connecting with Anacostia (July 28, 2012–June 9, 2013)
Anacostia

Investigating Where We Live: Capturing Colorful Communities (July 30, 2011–June 10, 2012)
Mount Pleasant, H Street NE, and Bloomingdale

Investigating Where We Live (July 30, 2010–May 15, 2011)

Investigating Where We Live (August 7, 2009–April 23, 2010)
Columbia Heights, Shaw, U Street

Investigating Where We Live: A New Angle on Northeast (July 30, 2008–January 19, 2009)
Brookland, Deanword, Stanton Park

Investigating Where We Live (August 19, 2006–November 29, 2006)
Congress Heights, Hillsdale, Uniontown

Investigating Where We Live (August 13, 2005–February 19, 2006)
Anacostia, Navy Yard, New York Avenue corridor

Investigating Where We Live (August 1, 2000–September 1, 2000)

Investigating Where We Live (August 1, 1999–September 1, 1999)

Sponsors

Investigating Where We Live has been made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Investigating Where We Live is also generously supported by the Clark Education Fund; the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Humanities DC; the Herbert M. Franklin Teen Programs Fund; Sandy Rynd Chaleski; and an anonymous donor. Geppetto Catering Inc., is the official meal provider for educational programs at the National Building Museum.