Urgent Museum Notice

#5WomenArtists

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

#5WomenArtists 2020: Women Artists Changing the World

At the start of the decade—and now in its fifth year—#5WomenArtists recognizes how women are using art to make change and drive awareness about globally relevant issues and topics. NMWA is asking museums, galleries and other cultural institutions to share art and information about artists who explore key social issues, including gender equity, immigration, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, climate change, and more.

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

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

Explore #5WomenArtists

#5WomenArtists Around the World

See all the museums, galleries, libraries, arts organizations, schools and more that are talking about #5WomenArtists!

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

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