Cooper Hewitt

API

Access the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum’s collection via API

Overview

The Cooper Hewitt API grants access to the Smithsonian Design Museum’s collection of over 210,000 design objects, exhibitions, and curatorial content. Key endpoints include searching items by keyword, category, or creator; retrieving detailed object metadata (dimensions, materials, provenance); and accessing exhibition information. Responses are JSON-formatted. Use cases include building educational tools for design students, creating interactive design history platforms, integrating museum content into cultural websites, and supporting academic research on design movements.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/api')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful Architecture
JSON Response Format
210k+ Design Objects Access
Exhibition & Curatorial Data
API Key Authentication
Advanced Search & Filtering

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Cooper Hewitt API free to use?

Yes, the API is free to use, but requires registration to obtain an API key for access.

? Does it require an API Key?

Yes, users must register on the Cooper Hewitt website to get a valid API key for authenticated requests.

? What is the response format?

All API responses are in JSON format, providing structured metadata about collection items, exhibitions, and related content.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Art & Design

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Prestigious Smithsonian Collection Access
⊕ Rich Metadata for Design Items
⊕ Supports Educational & Research Use Cases
⊕ Well-Documented Endpoints

Cons

⊖ Requires API Key Registration
⊖ Potential Rate Limits for High Volume
⊖ Non-Commercial Use Restrictions
⊖ Limited Real-Time Updates