#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

2023 Events

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#5WomenArtists 2023

The focus of the 2023 #5WomenArtists campaign is art+, fine arts and beyond. This year our campaign will expand by delving into the steps toward gender equity in arts-related fields, including architecture, design, music, and film. Throughout the year, social media followers can expect a lively schedule of Instagram takeovers from partnering organizations as well as #5WomenArtists content across NMWA’s website, blog, and virtual programming.

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.