National Museum of Women in the Arts

Location

Great Hall and Mezzanine, Photo credit: Tom Field

Located in a spectacular 1908 Renaissance Revival building, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the first and only museum dedicated solely to celebrating the diverse artistic achievements of women.

The museum was founded to challenge traditional histories of art, to uncover the works of women artists who have been overlooked and unacknowledged, and to assure the legacy of women in contemporary art.

On view are selections from the museum's permanent collection, comprising over 3000 works from the 16th century to the present created by over 800 artists. Included are Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Elizabeth Catlett, Helen Frankenthaler, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Laurie Simmons.

The museum offers an array of public programs, such as concerts, literary events, film series, and lectures. Programs for young audiences include Role Model Workshops that encourage active learning through hands-on activities, and Family Programs and Festivals that foster interaction and discovery.

MWA organizes youth-enrichment programs that allow students from selected schools in the Greater Washington area to explore their community and creativity. To further promote learning, the museum also offers free guided tours to school groups.

The Library and Research Center, the foremost repository of information on art by women, is used by art history and women's studies scholars around the world. It houses files on more than 18,000 women artists of all periods and nationalities, approximately 18,000 books, and 800 unique and limited edition artists' books. Call 202-783-7365 for an appointment.