The Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. announces its 2008 exhibition schedule will include, Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power, on view from September 13, 2008 to January 25, 2009.

The Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art and the neighboring Arthur M. Sackler Gallery are best known as museums of Asian art. However, the Freer also houses a collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art, including the world's largest number of works by James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903).

The Tony Award winner for Best Play and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play! Alan Bennett's sharply funny and touching comedy goes inside the world of a British boys school, where two teachers (Floyd King and Simon Kendall) become rivals for the minds and hearts of eight unruly students, from March 26 to May 4, 2008. Founding Artistic Director Joy Zinoman re-imagines this warm, brilliant and epic play, which features a cast of 16.

Brooklyn-based painter Amy Sillman introduces an entirely new body of work as part of the Hirshhorn's ongoing "Directions" series. Inspired by first-person observation of the human figure and the emotional aspects of being part of a couple, these new paintings and drawings explore the tension between figuration and abstraction. "Amy Sillman, Third Person Singular," on view from March 14 through July 6, presents 13 oil paintings and 12 ink drawings.

The Smithsonian Associates announces an exciting series of educational programs that explore the many facets of China yesterday, today and tomorrow, from its ancient culture to its popular arts and cuisine to the much anticipated Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. "China: An Incomparable Journey" will run from March 26 to late June and will feature more than 20 individual presentations, workshops and events.

All wear bowlers, the hit show from the New Vaudeville sensations Trey Lyford and Geoff Sobell – will be presented with their sell-out work, Amnesia Curiosa; and their newest piece, machines machines machines machines machines machines machines. These shows were the toast of Off-Broadway and The Philadelphia Fringe. This is a limited engagement. Don't miss your chance to be part of this new comic movement.

When America's sons and daughters are stationed overseas, especially during wartime, contact with loved ones back home becomes an essential part of life. During World War II, a new mail processing method was introduced to increase the amount of mail that could be exchanged overseas.

Acclaimed writer Alan Ball, the creative mind behind Six Feet Under and American Beauty, follows the relationship between two men living in Los Angeles—one white, one Middle Eastern. Through the story of their romance, Ball fashions an erotic and thought-provoking look at ethnicity and the eternal search for belonging.

Since 2001, some of the most innovative artists working in the United States have received the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Lucelia Artist Award. "Celebrating the Lucelia Artist Award, 2001–2006," on view through June 22, features work by each previous winner—Matthew Coolidge, director of the Center for Land Use Interpretation (2006); Andrea Zittel (2005); Kara Walker (2004); Rirkrit Tiravanija (2003); Liz Larner (2002); and Jorge Pardo (2001).

According to the preliminary results of Washington Caucus Polls Barack Obama is leading and winning over Hillary Clinton. However, to this point CNN Reports that only 30 percent of the results are calculated. However, the results of the 30% calculation show that in Washtington Caucus Obama is leading by 67 percent so far. These numbers will change as more votes are being counted.

LL Cool J, Erykah Badu, Common and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five are just a few of the hip hop artists featured in paintings and photographs in "RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture." The exhibition opened at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery Feb. 8 and continues through Oct. 26.

Love letters bring out the voyeur in most of us. These deeply personal communications have the power to make a reader blush or, at the very least, reveal a tender moment in the complex lives of others. "A Thousand Kisses: Love Letters from the Archives of American Art" will be on display Jan. 25 to May 30 in the Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery.