Cooper Hewitt Collection API

API

Free API for Smithsonian Design Museum's design object collection data

Overview

The Cooper Hewitt Collection API grants programmatic access to the Smithsonian Design Museum’s archive of over 200,000 design objects, textiles, and archival materials. Key endpoints include object retrieval (by ID), filtered search (medium, creator, date range), and exhibition details. Responses are JSON-formatted, containing metadata like provenance, dimensions, image URLs, and classification. Ideal for building design research tools, educational platforms, interactive exhibits, or apps highlighting design heritage. It follows RESTful principles for easy integration into web/mobile applications.

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
Access to 200k+ design objects
Advanced search filters
Image URL inclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is the Cooper Hewitt Collection API free to use?

Yes, the API is free for both commercial and non-commercial use, though attribution to the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum is required.

? Does it require an API Key?

Yes, you must register for an API key via the Cooper Hewitt website to authenticate requests to the API.

? What is the response format of the API?

All API responses are in JSON format, including object details, search results, and exhibition information.

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Art & Design

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free for commercial/non-commercial use
⊕ Extensive design metadata
⊕ Well-documented endpoints
⊕ Supports diverse integration use cases

Cons

⊖ Requires API key registration
⊖ Rate limits apply
⊖ No direct high-res image access
⊖ Limited real-time updates