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The red brick and sandstone Second Empire facade of the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC, with mansard roofs and "Dedicated to Art" carved above the entrance

Renwick Gallery

ArchitectureDesignArtClosed todayFreeFarragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver lines)

The Renwick is the Smithsonian American Art Museum's branch for contemporary craft and decorative art, on Lafayette Square a block from the White House. James Renwick Jr. designed it in 1859 for the banker William Wilson Corcoran in the Second Empire style he had admired at the Louvre, making it the first building in the United States raised expressly as an art museum; "Dedicated to Art" is still carved above the door and Senator Charles Sumner dubbed it "the American Louvre". Saved from demolition by a campaign led by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1962 and reopened as a Smithsonian craft gallery in 1972, it shows fibre, ceramics, glass, metal and wood by American makers across two floors, with the Grand Salon as its centrepiece. Admission is free. Note: the building is temporarily closed to the public until 13 November 2026 while it is reinstalled for the exhibition Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery.

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Jan Yager, Tiara of Useful Knowledge, from the series City Flora: The Philadelphia Series, 2006, 18- and 14-karat gold, oxidised sterling silver and quartz pebble

Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery

Fifty-three objects from SAAM's collection celebrating making by hand, including new acquisitions by Roberto Benavidez, Angela Ellsworth, Bill Harris, Aya Oki, Ato Ribeiro, Diego Romero and Jan Yager.

UpcomingFrom 13 NovFree
Installation view of Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, 2025

Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe

Mid-career survey of Saya Woolfalk's Empathics, part-plant, part-human beings, told through immersive installations, sculptural garments, glass and video projections.

Upcoming26 Feb 2027 – 2 Jan 2028Free

Permanent Collections

The Grand Salon

The Renwick's centrepiece and largest room: a 4,000-square-foot second-floor hall lit by a historic laylight, restored in the 2013–15 renovation and given over to the gallery's biggest installations.

Permanent collectionFree

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW), Washington, DC 20006

Nearest station: Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver lines) and Farragut North (Red line)

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Hours

Closed until 12 November

Closed to prepare for Handwork; reopens 13 November 2026

Mon10:00–17:30
Tue10:00–17:30
Wed10:00–17:30
Thu10:00–17:30
Fri10:00–17:30
SatToday10:00–17:30
Sun10:00–17:30

Admission

Free

Free admission, no tickets required.

Accessibility

Barrier-free ramp access at the 17th Street entrance; all areas of the building are served by elevators and accessible restrooms are located throughout. Strollers should also use the 17th Street ramp.

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Visitor Information

Is Renwick Gallery free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Renwick Gallery is free. Free admission, no tickets required.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Renwick Gallery?
Renwick Gallery is open Daily 10:00–17:30. Closed 25 December. Temporarily closed to the public until 13 November 2026 while the galleries are reinstalled for the exhibition Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Renwick Gallery?
Renwick Gallery is located at 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW), Washington, DC 20006, in the Lafayette Square area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver lines) and Farragut North (Red line).
What can I see at Renwick Gallery?
The Smithsonian's craft gallery in the 'American Louvre', the first US building raised expressly as an art museum, near the White House. Current highlights include The Grand Salon, Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe and Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery.
Do I need to book Renwick Gallery in advance?
Renwick Gallery is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free admission, no tickets required.. 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 Renwick Gallery?
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.
Is Renwick Gallery accessible?
Barrier-free ramp access at the 17th Street entrance; all areas of the building are served by elevators and accessible restrooms are located throughout. Strollers should also use the 17th Street ramp.

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