Founded to address the gender imbalance in how art is celebrated and displayed, the National Museum of Women in the Arts is one of Washington DC’s highlight cultural institutions, providing an introduction to the art of female creators across multiple eras, countries, and media. Its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions showcase works by thousands of celebrated artists (including the likes of Louise Bourgeois, Amy Sherald, and Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun), and it also hosts a busy event calendar of gallery talks, themed tours, and more.
The museum can be glimpsed on hop-on hop-off bus tours of Washington DC, and tickets can also be purchased online in advance of your visit. Given the NMWA’s proximity to other major museums and Smithsonian institutions, it’s easy to plan an independent excursion as part of a cultural day out in the capital.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is located in Washington DC’s downtown Penn Quarter. If traveling via public transportation, take the Green, Red, or Yellow Metro lines to Gallery Pl-Chinatown, or take the Red, Blue, Orange, or Silver lines to Metro Center. The landmark can also be reached by local bus lines, on foot, or by Capital Bikeshare service.
The NMWA is open every day of the week, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The first Sunday of the month is Community Day at the NMWA, which means it’s free to visit. Because the museum hosts roughly 10 temporary exhibitions annually in addition to its permanent collection, it’s advised to plan repeat visits.
There are numerous ways to discover the NMWA’s collection. Guided tours can be reserved and booked a minimum of four weeks in advance. The museum also hosts daily, 30-minute “Conversation Pieces,” which comprise spotlight talks on two different artworks (no reservations necessary). Additionally, themed gallery talks are held most weeks, and its artists-in-conversation series invites contemporary women artists to speak at the museum.
