Today, Thursday, Aug. 6, several museums on the National Mall including NMAA are closed due to a mechanical issue. Please explore our online offerings. See si.edu/visit for more details.

The Freer Medal

The front and back of the Freer Medal, side by side. The medal on the left depicts a profile portrait of a man above the Freer Gallery; text reads:

Named for museum founder, Charles Lang Freer, the Freer Medal has been awarded fifteen times since its inauguration in 1956. The medal honors persons who, over the course of a career, have contributed in a substantial way to the understanding of the arts of Asia.