Visit the New National Museum of Women in the Arts

Now reopened after major renovation
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Be among the first to see the new National Museum of Women in the Arts after a two-year, top-to-bottom renovation of its historic home. Enjoy brand new exhibition spaces showcasing remarkable works by women artists. Explore a bold thematic reimagining of our stellar collection from around the world, spanning six centuries.  

The world’s first major museum solely dedicated to championing women artists, NMWA has expanded and enhanced the experience for visitors at its home at 1250 New York Avenue in Washington, D.C., with enlarged public programming areas, enhanced amenities, and increased accessibility.  

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What to See

In a painted self-portrait, the artist stands in a stage-like space framed by white curtains. Beneath black hair woven with red yarn and flowers, heavy brows accent her dark-eyed gaze. Clad in a fringed, honey-toned shawl; long, pink skirt; and gold jewelry, she holds a bouquet and a handwritten letter.
Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky, 1937; Oil on Masonite, 30 x 24 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of the Honorable Clare Boothe Luce; © Banco de México Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F./Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Image by Google
A marble sculpture depicts an abstracted, voluptuous figure with a pregnant belly. The figure is covered in bright patterns and posed stepping forward, with raised, outstretched arms.
Niki de Saint Phalle, Pregnant Nana, 1995; Painted marble, 61 x 39 x 33 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift from the Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art (Gift of Jeffrey H. Loria); © Niki Charitable Art Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris; Photo by Lee Stalsworth
A square painting with layered, dripping textures of a Chinese woman with dark hair and a traditional dress. She gazes straightforward at the viewer. In front of her, a tree branch extends upward and a bird perches on the end of it. The background consists of two different shades of blue and on the left side of the canvas an open-mouthed fish points towards the woman.
Hung Liu, Winter with Cynical Fish, 2014; Oil on canvas, 60 x 72 in.; NMWA, Gift of Fred M. & Nancy Livingston Levin, The Shenson Foundation in memory of Ben & A. Jess Shenson; © 2023 Hung Liu Estate/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
A wooden sculpture is painted red and shaped as a nude woman holding a cast iron skillet in her left hand. She has a heavy chain around her waist with multiple skillets hanging from it like a skirt. She stands on a small wooden platform.
Alison Saar, Scorch Song, 2022; Wood, found mini skillets, nails, and tar, 34 x 11 x 9 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts; Museum Purchase: Funds provided by Steven Scott, Baltimore, in honor of the artist and the 35th Anniversary of the National Museum of Women in the Arts; © Alison Saar; Courtesy of L.A. Louver, Venice, CA; Photo by Jeff McLane
In an art gallery with white walls, a long, snake-like piece of metallic paper printed with splotches of black, blue, purple, and orange in an abstract pattern is partly affixed to the wall. At one point the paper falls from the wall and cascades onto the floor and further into the room.
Mariah Robertson, 9, 2011; Photographic print on metallic paper, 1968 x 50 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Heather and Tony Podesta Collection; © Mariah Robertson; Image courtesy of M+B and the artist
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Support

Remix: The Collection is organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Lugano Diamonds sponsor the exhibition. Additional funding provided by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Sue J. Henry and Carter G. Phillips Exhibition Fund, and the Clara M. Lovett Emerging Artists Fund.

Lugano Diamonds logo
Logo: National Endowment for the Arts

The Sky’s the Limit is organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts. This exhibition is underwritten by Presenting Sponsor Denise Littlefield Sobel. Curatorial research funds were provided by Marcia Myers Carlucci. Additional support for the exhibition catalogue comes from The Deborah Buck Foundation.

Impressive: Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella is organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The exhibition is generously supported by Stephanie Sale and the members of NMWA.

Hung Liu: Making History is organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The exhibition is generously supported by Stephanie Sale and the members of NMWA.

Holding Ground: Artists’ Books for the National Museum of Women in the Arts is organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The exhibition is made possible by a generous bequest from Marjorie B. Rachlin.

In Focus: Artists at Work is produced by the National Museum of Women in the Arts in collaboration with Smartypants Pictures and Art Processors.
The video series is generously supported by the members of NMWA. Project design is made possible through the generous support of Denise Littlefield Sobel, with additional funding provided by Jamie Gorelick and Richard Waldhorn. Display screens contributed by Sony Corporation of America.

Sony logo

The “Create Connections” interactive kiosk is produced by the National Museum of Women in the Arts in collaboration with Art Processors and is made possible through the generous support of Denise Littlefield Sobel.

Advertising photo credits

Clockwise from top left: Joana Vasconcelos, Rubra (detail), 2016; Murano glass, hand-crocheted wool, ornaments, LED lighting, polyester, and iron, 69 1/4 x 43 in. diameter; NMWA, Gift of Christine Suppes; Photo by Francesco Allegretto

Rachel Ruysch, Roses, Convolvulus, Poppies and Other Flowers in an Urn on a Stone Ledge (detail), ca. late 1680s; Oil on canvas, 42 1/2 x 33 in.; NMWA, Gift of Wallace and Wilhelmina Holladay; Photo by Lee Stalsworth

Eulabee Dix, Ethel Barrymore (detail), ca. 1905; Watercolor on ivory in ivory box, 3 x 3 x 1 1/4 in.; NMWA, Gift of Mrs. Philip Dix Becker and family

May Stevens, SoHo Women Artists (detail), 1977-78; Acrylic on canvas, 78 x 142 in.; NMWA, Museum purchase: The Lois Pollard Price Acquisition Fund; © May Stevens; Courtesy of the estate of the artist and RYAN LEE Gallery, New York

Rania Matar, Rayven, Miami Beach, Florida (detail), from the series “SHE,” 2019; Archival pigment print, 37 x 44 in.; NMWA, Museum Purchase: Funds provided by Sunny Scully Alsup and Elva Ferrari-Graham; © Rania Matar