National Museum of Women in the Arts hosts celebratory events in advance of major renovation

View of the National Museum of Women in the Arts building from outside showing the Neoclassical building from one corner. The building is a tan-colored stone with an arched doorway, long vertical windows, and detailed molding around the roof. It is dark outside, and street lamps shine brightly to illuminate the building.
June 15, 2021
6/15/21
Visitors can enjoy free admission, extended hours and a sneak peek into renovation plans

WASHINGTON—The National Museum of Women in Arts (NMWA) will host a variety of celebratory events and programs the week before the building closes for a major renovation. Visitors can enjoy free admission, extended hours and a special sneak peek into the renovation project and plans for the museum’s future.

Admission to the museum will be free from Sunday, August 1 through Sunday, August 8. On August 1 through August 4, the museum will also remain open until 8 p.m. Visitors are strongly encouraged to reserve timed tickets in advance at nmwa.org/tickets. The exhibition Mary Ellen Mark: Girlhood is on view and features Mark’s poignant photography of young women and girls around the world. Also on view is Selections from the Collection, highlighting historical and contemporary art by women around the world. Local restaurant Modena is giving a 10% discount to visitors when they show their NMWA admission tickets.

In addition, NMWA will present a virtual program, “Sneak Peek at the Future National Museum of Women in the Arts,” on Wednesday, August 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. This free program offers a look at plans for the renewed building and shares information about how to connect and engage with the museum and its mission during the building closure period.

Director Susan Fisher Sterling will reveal never-before-seen historical photographs of NMWA’s 1908 landmark building along with architectural renderings of planned new spaces. The renovated building will feature a purpose-designed education studio for hands-on activities and revitalized exhibition galleries, developed to accommodate all types of art, from paintings by Old Mistresses to immersive contemporary video installations.

NMWA’s Directors of Education and Public Programs will discuss the exciting slate of workshops, talks and concerts planned for the Fall 2021/Winter 2022 season, with most programs presented online and available to participants around the world. Staff from the museum’s curatorial department will discuss a major offsite exhibition planned for early 2022. Organized by NMWA and presented in the galleries of a partner museum in Washington, D.C., the project highlights the limitless vision, in content and technique, of women and non-binary artists in printmaking.    

On May 17, 2021, NMWA announced a plan for a comprehensive $66 million renovation of the museum’s historic building at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, in Washington, D.C. State-of-the-art upgrades to the museum’s home, a 1908 Classical Revival structure will expand NMWA’s exhibition space and enhance its programming, strengthening its work for years to come. The plan requires the building to close to the public beginning August 9, 2021. Construction will commence on September 1, 2021, and be completed in approximately two years. For more project information, visit the campaign website.

Closing week schedule:

Sunday, August 1
Noon–8 p.m.: Free admission, extended hours

Monday, August 2
10 a.m.–8 p.m.: Free admission, extended hours

Tuesday, August 3
10 a.m.–8 p.m.: Free admission, extended hours

Wednesday, August 4
10 a.m.–8 p.m.: Free admission, extended hours
6–7 p.m. “Sneak Peek at the Future National Museum of Women in the Arts” virtual program

Thursday, August 5
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: Free admission
5 p.m.–8 p.m.: Extended hours, members only; join now

Friday, August 6
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: Free admission
5 p.m.–8 p.m.: Extended hours, members only; join now

Saturday, August 7
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: Free admission

Sunday, August 8
Noon–5 p.m.: Free admission

Monday, August 9
NMWA closes for renovation

Special thanks to Ourisman Automotive of Virginia for supporting free admission and events throughout NMWA’s closing week.

About the National Museum of Women in the Arts

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the only major museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. With its collections, exhibitions, programs and online content, the museum seeks to inspire dynamic exchanges about art and ideas. NMWA advocates for better representation of women artists and serves as a vital center for thought leadership, community engagement and social change. NMWA addresses the gender imbalance in the presentation of art by bringing to light important women artists of the past while promoting great women artists working today. The collections highlight painting, sculpture, photography and video by artists including Louise Bourgeois, Mary Cassatt, Judy Chicago, Frida Kahlo, Shirin Neshat, Faith Ringgold, Pipilotti Rist and Élisabeth Louise Vigée-LeBrun. NMWA is located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. It is open Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sun., noon–5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for visitors 65 and over and students, and free for NMWA members and youths 18 and under. Admission is free the first and third Sunday of each month. For information, call 202-783-5000, visit nmwa.org, Broad Strokes blog, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

About the Author