WASHINGTON—The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NWMA), the world’s only major museum solely dedicated to celebrating great women artists, has announced a new social media campaign for this March’s Women’s History Month. If you ask someone to name five artists, they will likely name prominent male artists, but how many people can list five women artists? To increase awareness the museum will launch the campaign “Can you name five women artists?” March 1 on its website and blog as well as on social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Using the hashtag #5womenartists, the campaign will encourage NMWA’s online community to help address the gender imbalance in the presentation of art both in the United States and internationally.
Throughout the month, the museum will share information about women artists—including biographies, birthdays, quotes and statistics—with #5womenartists. To expand the campaign and share a wide range of compelling work by women artists, NMWA will ask other art institutions to join them with this hashtag on social media to highlight works by women in their collections and exhibitions. The museum’s posts will encourage the public to comment and share, helping the campaign and its message to reach a wide audience.
“Through #5womenartists, the Women’s Museum hopes to help the public answer the question—without hesitation—‘Can you name five women artists?’,” said NMWA Director Susan Fisher Sterling. “By calling attention to the inequity women artists face today, as well as in the past, we hope to inspire conversation and awareness. We are excited to invite other art museums to join us in this initiative.”
Other key programs to honor Women’s History Month include the fourth annual women in the arts Wikipedia Edit-a-thon focused on improving entries related to notable women artists. A lack of women contributors has contributed to gender disparities in Wikipedia representation. NMWA event attendees will receive training and materials to help fix the gap. The event is free and open to the public with advance registration.
Women’s History Month Events at NMWA include:
FRESH TALK: Natalie Jeremijenko—Can an artist use science and technology to heal the environment?
Wednesday, Mar. 2, 7–8:30 p.m. followed by Catalyst, a cocktail hour with a topic and a twist, 8:30–9:30 p.m.
Price: $25 for general admission; $15 for members, seniors, and students. Includes museum admission and complimentary cocktails. Reservations required. Reserve online.
Director of the xDesign Environmental Health Clinic at New York University Natalie Jeremijenko, an artist and engineer, presents creative solutions for environmental health. Jean Case, a philanthropist, investor and interactive-technology pioneer, and Megan Smith, United States Chief Technology Officer in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, join Jeremijenko to discuss ideas for advancing women’s innovations in technology.
Wikipedia Edit-a-thon 2016
Sunday, Mar. 6, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Celebrate Women’s History Month by helping to improve Wikipedia. NMWA’s fourth annual edit-a-thon focuses on improving articles related to notable women artists and art-world figures. Training for new editors and refreshments will be provided. Attend in person or participate remotely.
Tour: Around the World
Sunday, Mar. 6, 1–2 p.m.
Price: Free. No reservations required.
In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, enjoy a free tour celebrating women artists from around the globe. Visitors can view and discuss artworks that highlight the international spirit of the museum’s collection.
Museum Day Live! Celebrating Women’s History Month
Saturday, Mar. 12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Price: Free. Reservations required. Tickets are available to download at Smithsonian magazine’s website.
NMWA opens its doors free of charge for the day as part of Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Live!, celebrating a nationwide campaign to reach women and girls of color in underserved communities. This event offers free admission to visitors presenting a ticket for Museum Day Live!
National Museum of Women in the Arts
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the world’s only major museum solely dedicated to celebrating the creative contributions of women. The museum champions women through the arts by collecting, exhibiting, researching and creating programs that advocate for equity and shine a light on excellence. NMWA highlights remarkable women artists of the past while also promoting the best women artists working today. The museum’s collection includes over 4,700 works by more than 1,000 women artists from the 16th century to the present, including Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo, Alma Thomas, Lee Krasner, Louise Bourgeois, Chakaia Booker and Nan Goldin.
NMWA is located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., in a landmark building near the White House. It is open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, noon–5 p.m. For information, call 202-783-5000 or visit nmwa.org. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for visitors 65 and over and students, and free for NMWA members and youths 18 and under. Free Community Days take place on the first Sunday of each month. For more information about NMWA, visit nmwa.org, Broad Strokes Blog, Facebook or Twitter.