#5WomenArtists

Two rows of portraits of women artists with a colorful border between them.

Can you name five women artists?

Since 2016, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) has been asking this question on social media each March during Women’s History Month. Using the hashtag #5WomenArtists, the campaign calls attention to the fact that women have not been treated equally in the art world, and today they remain dramatically underrepresented and undervalued in museums, galleries, and auction houses.

Each year, hundreds of cultural organizations and thousands of individuals take to social media to answer the challenge, sparking a global conversation about gender equity in the arts.

Quick Facts

  • 1,800+
    Cultural Organizations
  • 7
    Continents
  • 57
    Countries

2024 Events

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#5WomenArtists 2024

In 2024, NMWA’s #5WomenArtists campaign focuses on disability activism and advocacy in the arts. As the first major museum devoted to the creative work of women, NMWA was founded on principles of inclusion and equity. These values are ingrained in our work, including our approach to accessibility.  

Throughout the year, the #5WomenArtists campaign will spotlight disabled artists, artists who engage in disability activism, individuals and groups working in accessibility advocacy, and organizations working to increase their accessibility. We will co-create content with featured partners and align our work with local, national, and global disability awareness initiatives. We are committed to featuring disability activism in this year’s campaign. Beyond this year, we will continue this work by weaving accessibility into our ongoing advocacy programs in partnership with members of the disability community. For more information about NMWA’s commitment to accessibility, visit our accessibility webpage.

Related Quote

“…I don’t think I’d know these five [women artists] if I wasn’t married to a woman artist. I love this campaign.”
@bendashley on Twitter
Color photograph of a light skin toned woman in all black on a white horse and carrying a large, white flag. Horse and rider are facing left and are in a rolling green landscape with a bright blue cloudless sky.
Marina Abramović, The Hero, 2001; Chromogenic color print, 49 1/2 x 49 1/2 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Heather and Tony Podesta Collection; © Marina Abramović, Courtesy the Marina Abramović Archives

In Your Region

Learn about exhibitions and events in your area or explore virtual options from home that feature women artists.

Explore Local Exhibitions and Events
Explore #5WomenArtists

Related Quote

“I absolutely loved following #5WomenArtists and hope we see more engagement in the coming years. It’s a joy to see the power of sharing stories that we want to see more, that is the priority I want to see more of.”
@curatormonforte on Twitter
Color photograph of a street scene. Red brick buildings with colorful awnings are on the right and a smiling woman on the left. She holds the arm of a companion who has been cropped out of the left side of the image.
Nikki S. Lee, Part (12), 2003; Fujiflex print mounted on aluminum, 30 x 26 1/4 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Heather and Tony Podesta Collection; © Nikki S. Lee

Header Image Credits

Top Row (L to R): Hung Liu: Image courtesy of National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA). Amy Sherald: © Amy Sherald; Image courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth; Photo credit JJ Geiger. Ambreen Butt: © Image courtesy of Gallery Wendi Norris, San Francisco; Photo by John Carrithers. Camille Claudel: Image courtesy of Bibliothèque Marguerite Durand, Mairie de Paris, Paris, France; Photo by César, 1884. Sonya Clark: Image courtesy of the artist. Bottom Row (L to R): Mary Cassatt: Image courtesy of Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution; Frederick A. Sweet research material on Mary Cassatt and James A. McNeill Whistler, 1872-1975. Faith Ringgold: Image courtesy of NMWA; Photo by Yassine El Mansouri. Graciela Iturbide: Image courtesy of NMWA; Photo by Kevin Allen. Judy Chicago; Photo © Donald Woodman / Artists Rights Society, NY. Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: Photo by Grace Roselli, Pandora’s BoxX Project; Image courtesy of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Garth Greenan Gallery, New York.