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National Museum of Women in the Arts

DesignArtPhotographyClosed · Opens 10amFrom $16Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver) - 4 min walk

Founded by Wallace and Wilhelmina Cole Holladay and opened in 1987, NMWA was the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to championing women through the arts. Its collection spans the 16th century to today, with works by Lavinia Fontana, Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun, Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, plus over 1,000 artists' books. The museum occupies a Renaissance Revival former Masonic Temple designed by Waddy B. Wood, which spent four decades as a cinema before being rescued for the arts. A $67.5 million renovation added gallery space and a learning centre, reopening the building in October 2023.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States

Nearest station: Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver) - 4 min walk, McPherson Square (Blue, Orange, Silver), Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green, Yellow) - 10 min walk

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Hours

MonClosed
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
ThuToday10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

From $16

Seniors 65+, students over 21 and DC residents $13. Free for visitors aged 21 and under, members, visitors with disabilities plus an attendant, and SNAP/EBT cardholders. Free admission for all on the first Sunday and second Wednesday of every month.

Nearby

Smithsonian American Art Museum

ArtFree7 min walk

National Portrait Gallery

ArtFree7 min walk

Renwick Gallery

ArchitectureFree10 min walk

National Archives Museum

ArchitectureFree12 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does National Museum of Women in the Arts cost?
Standard adult admission to National Museum of Women in the Arts is $16. Seniors 65+, students over 21 and DC residents $13. Free for visitors aged 21 and under, members, visitors with disabilities plus an attendant, and SNAP/EBT cardholders. Free admission for all on the first Sunday and second Wednesday of every month.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of National Museum of Women in the Arts?
National Museum of Women in the Arts is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm); closed Mondays. Closed Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026), Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026) and New Year's Day (1 Jan 2027).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Museum of Women in the Arts?
National Museum of Women in the Arts is located at 1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States, in the Downtown area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver) - 4 min walk, McPherson Square (Blue, Orange, Silver), Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green, Yellow) - 10 min walk.
What can I see at National Museum of Women in the Arts?
The world's first museum devoted solely to women artists, in a grand 1908 Masonic Temple off New York Avenue. Current highlights include Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center, Beverly Pepper: Land Art and Monumental Sculptures, Burnished: Pueblo Pottery at NMWA.
Do I need to book National Museum of Women in the Arts in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit National Museum of Women in the Arts?
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.

ajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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