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American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center

ArtPhotographyClosed · Opens 11amFreeTenleytown-AU (Metro Red Line), then the free AU shuttle from 40th Street

The American University Museum opened in 2005 inside the Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Arts Center at Ward Circle, and its 44,000 square feet across three levels make it the region's largest university facility for exhibiting art. It mounts roughly 24 exhibitions a year in seasonal blocks, leaning hard toward contemporary art from Washington and abroad. The permanent holdings include the Watkins Memorial Collection of more than 6,000 objects, the Rothfeld Collection of Contemporary Israeli Art, and the Corcoran Legacy Collection — over 9,000 works transferred from the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 2018, spanning Titian and Duerer through Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol and the Washington Color School. The Alper Initiative for Washington Art runs a dedicated research and display space for the city's own art history.

What's On

Now
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Plan Your Visit

Getting there

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

Nearest station: Tenleytown-AU (Metro Red Line), then the free AU shuttle from 40th Street, Metrobus M4 to Nebraska Avenue & Ward Circle

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Hours

MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed11:00–16:00
ThuToday11:00–16:00
Fri11:00–16:00
Sat11:00–16:00
Sun11:00–16:00

Admission

Free

Admission is free; the museum lists no ticket price. Garage parking at the Katzen Arts Center is $2.00 per hour.

Nearby

The Kreeger Museum

Architecture23 min walk

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

Design36 min walk

Dumbarton Oaks Museum & Gardens

ArtFree42 min walk
IA&A at Hillyer

IA&A at Hillyer

ArtFree55 min walk

Visitor Information

Is American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center free to visit?
Yes, general admission to American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center is free. Admission is free; the museum lists no ticket price. Garage parking at the Katzen Arts Center is $2.00 per hour.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center?
American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center is open Wednesday–Sunday 11:00–16:00; closed Monday and Tuesday. Closed 26–27 November 2026 for Thanksgiving. The museum also shuts between exhibition seasons to install new shows — the autumn 2026 season runs 5 September to 6 December 2026.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center?
American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center is located at 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, in the Ward Circle, Northwest DC area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Tenleytown-AU (Metro Red Line), then the free AU shuttle from 40th Street, Metrobus M4 to Nebraska Avenue & Ward Circle.
What can I see at American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center?
Three floors of contemporary shows and 9,000 Corcoran Legacy works in AU's Katzen Arts Center — DC's largest university art space. Current highlights include Ahn Chang-Hong: noon-mool, Beyond Words: The Sacred Art of Ayesha Kamal, Double Feature: Two Graphic Narratives by Mary Garrard.
Do I need to book American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in advance?
American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is free; the museum lists no ticket price. Garage parking at the Katzen Arts Center is $2.00 per hour.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Herrperry123 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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