Washington is a city rich in art. One bonus is that many of our finest galleries are sponsored by the federal government and are free to the public.
Art Museum of the Americas
(www.museum.oas.org)
201 18th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Metro: Farragut West
202-458-6016
Located one block from Constitution Hall, the museum features rotating shows of contemporary, regional art from Latin America and the Caribbean. Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Mondays, Good Friday and all national holidays. Admission is free.
B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum
(www.bnaibrith.org⁄museum)
2020 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Metro: Farragut North and Foggy Bottom
202-857-6583
One of the nation’s leading collections of Judaica, art, historical and archeological artifacts, contemporary art, and ritual and folk art. Advance reservations required, in order to visit the museum. Group tours are available. Open Monday - Thursday, from noon - 3 p.m. Closed weekends, and most national and Jewish holidays.
Corcoran Gallery of Art
(www.corcoran.org)
500 17th St., N.W. (main entrance on 17th St.; ramp entrance at 1701 E St.), Washington, D.C.
Metro: Farragut North or Farragut West
202-639-1700
One of the three oldest museums in the United States, its collection includes Greek antiquities, American and European paintings, as well as changing exhibits. Open Wednesday - Sunday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Open Thursday, from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Closed every Monday (except holidays), every Tuesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults, $8; seniors, $6; students with ID, $4; children under 12 are free; ‘‘Pay-As-You-Wish” after 5 p.m. on Thursdays.
Folger Shakespeare Library
(www.folger.edu)
201 E. Capital St., S.E., Washington, D.C.
Metro: Union Station or Capitol South
202-544-4600
This independent research library is filled with books and manuscripts by, and about, William Shakespeare, including a copy of the 1623 First Folio. The Elizabethan period Great Hall houses original manuscripts and books. A lively center for literary and performing arts, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. Open Monday - Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed every Sunday and all federal holidays.
Freer Gallery of Art & The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
(www.asia.si.edu)
The National Mall. The Sackler Gallery is located at 1050 Independence Ave, S.W. The Freer Gallery is at Jefferson Drive at 12 th St., S.W., Washington, D.C. The two museums are connected by an underground exhibition space.
Metro: Smithsonian
202-633-4880
The Freer, and adjoining Arthur M. Sackler Museum, are the national museums for Asian art for the United States. In addition to Asian art, the Freer houses a collection of 19th and early 20th-century American art, including the world’s largest holding of works by James McNeill Whistler. Open daily 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., except Christmas Day. Free admission.
Hillwood Museum
(www.hillwoodmuseum.org)
4155 Linnean Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.
202-686-5807 (reservations)
Metro: Van Ness⁄UD.C. Metro
This museum features a large collection of French and Russian decorative arts, greenhouse and 12 acres of formal gardens. The museum boasts two, Russian, Faberge Easter eggs. It is the former home of cereal heiress, Marjorie Merriweather Post. Reservations are required. Guided tours available. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission: Adults, $12; seniors, $10 ; students, $7 ; children ages 6 - 18 and under, $5. Group tours are available, call 202-243-3914 for details. The estate is closed during the month of January and on most national holidays.
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
(www.hirshhorn.si.edu)
Independence Ave., S.W. (at Seventh St.), Washington, D.C.
Metro: L’Enfant Plaza or Smithsonian
202-633-1000
Uranium mining magnate, Joseph H. Hirshhorn, gave the United States his modern art collection and the round Gordon Bunshaft-designed ‘‘Donut on the Mall” building to house it. The 12,000-piece collection includes 5,000 paintings, 3,000 sculptures and mixed-media pieces, and 4,000 works on paper. Some of the artists included in the collection are Brancusi, Giacometti, Picasso, Christo, Warhol, Matisse, Rodin, Degas, deKooning, Hopper and Mondrian. Open from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., seven days a week. Closed Christmas Day. The sculpture garden is open from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Free admission.
National Gallery of Art
(www.nga.gov)
Located on the National Mall (between Third and Seventh streets, at Constitution Ave.), N.W., Washington, D.C.
Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial, Judiciary Square or Smithsonian
202-737-4215
The contemporary East Wing of the National Gallery features 20th-century art and special exhibitions. The neo-classical West Wing of the National Gallery holds a spectacular collection of American and European paintings and sculptures, including a Leonardo da Vinci, as well as examples by Monet, Degas, Picasso, Manet, Rembrandt, Titian, Raphael and Whistler. Open Monday - Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission is free. The Gallery is closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
National Museum of African Art
(www.nmafa.si.edu)
950 Independence Ave., S.W. (between Seventh and 12th streets), Washington, D.C.
Metro: Smithsonian & L’Enfant Plaza
202-633-4600
Devoted to the collection and exhibition of African art, it features a permanent collection, as well as rotating, special visiting exhibits. Open daily, from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. Free admission.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
(www.americanart.si.edu)
Washington, D.C.
202-275-1500
A major renovation of the museum’s historic building and main exhibition space continues in downtown Washington, D.C. The building is closed to the public until its grand opening on July 1, 2006. The museum continues a full program of exhibits and events at its Renwick Gallery, on Pennsylvania Ave. at 17th St., N.W. This museum is dedicated exclusively to the art and artists of the United States. All regions, cultures and traditions are represented through paintings, sculpture, graphics and photographs. Free admission. Open from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., 7 days a week (except Christmas). For more information, call 202-633-2850. The Smithsonian American Art Museum⁄National Portrait Gallery Library specializes in American art, history and biography. The library is open to the public at 750 Ninth St., N.W., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. For information, call 202-275-1912.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
(www.nmwa.org)
1250 New York Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Metro: Metro Center
202-783-5000
The permanent collection includes more than 1,500 works, by more than 400 women artists, including works by Mary Cassatt and Georgia O’Keefe, along with rotating exhibits throughout the year. The library is the largest resource of art by women in the world. Open Monday - Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, from noon - 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults, $8; visitors 60 and over, $6; students, $6; free for those 18 and under. Free Community Days are the first Sunday and Wednesday of every month.
National Portrait Gallery
(www.npg.si.edu)
Eighth and F streets, N.W., Washington, D.C.
Metro: Gallery Place
202-275-1738
Currently closed for renovations. When the museum reopens on July 1, 2006, it will feature 30 percent more exhibition space, redesigned galleries with contemporary interactive displays, a visible conservation lab, an auditorium and an enclosed courtyard.
Phillips Collection
(www.phillipscollection.org)
1600 21st St., N.W. (21st and Q streets), Washington, D.C.
Metro: Dupont Circle
202-387-2151
Home of the famed Renoir’s ‘‘Luncheon of the Boating Party,” the mansion is filled with renowned 19th and 20th-century European and American paintings. Classical music performances are held every Sunday evening from October - May, along with ‘‘Artful Evenings” of live music, gallery talks and cash bar every Thursday. Open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday; 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Thursday; noon - 7 p.m., Sunday. Closed on Monday. Weekend fee: Adults, $12; seniors and students, $10; children, ages 18 and under, free. Closed on most federal holidays.
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
(www.AmericanArt.si.edu)
17th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Metro: Farragut West or Farragut North
202-633-2850
Part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, this gallery collects, exhibits, studies, and preserves American crafts and decorative arts from the 19th to 21st centuries. Housed in an historic architectural landmark, across the street from the White House, the Renwick features one-of-a-kind pieces created from clay, fiber, glass, metal and wood. Open daily, from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Free admission. Closed Christmas Day.
Textile Museum
(www.textilemuseum.org)
2320 S St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Metro: Dupont Circle
202-667-0441
Founded in 1925 with the collection of George Hewitt Myers, this museum features historic and contemporary handmade textile arts, housed in the mansion designed by famed architect John Russell Pope. Open Monday - Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, from 1 - 5 p.m. Suggested donation: $5. Closed all federal holidays and December 24.
E-Mail This Article
Print This Story