National Museum of Women in the Arts Museum

Museum in Washington DC dedicated to women artists

In Washington DC, the National Museum of Women in the Arts presents paintings, sculpture and rotating exhibitions by women artists; visitors come to see focused collections and curated shows near the city's cultural institutions.

Main image

National Museum of Women in the Arts at a Glance#

Address: 1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA

Website: https://nmwa.org/

Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mondays (confirm on website)

Admission: General admission US$10-15 (check website for current pricing); free hours for certain days or special programs may apply

About National Museum of Women in the Arts#

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C. is a museum devoted solely to art by women. Its permanent collection and rotating exhibitions span painting, sculpture, photography and other media by women artists from multiple periods.

The museum presents thematic and retrospective exhibitions, loans and educational programmes intended to highlight the contributions of women in the visual arts. The galleries include works from both historical and contemporary artists and the institution is known for its advocacy and scholarship on women artists.

Over time the museum has built a distinct collection and programming profile focused on representation and research into women artists’ careers. It also hosts special exhibitions, public programmes and catalogues that support its curatorial mission.

NMWA is located on New York Avenue NW in downtown Washington, D.C., a short distance north of the National Mall and accessible by public transit.

  • Focus and scope: The institution is dedicated exclusively to the work of women artists and focuses on correcting historical underrepresentation in museum collections and exhibitions.

How to Get to National Museum of Women in the Arts#

The museum is a short walk from the Metro Center or McPherson Square stations on the Washington, DC Metro. Street parking is limited; ride-hailing and public transit are recommended.

Tips for Visiting National Museum of Women in the Arts#

  • Book timed-entry tickets for popular exhibitions in advance, especially during Cherry Blossom season and December holidays.
  • The museum is small; concentrate on a few galleries to get the most from a short visit.
  • Check for temporary exhibitions and gallery talks - they often showcase living artists and provide context beyond the permanent collection.

Best Time to Visit National Museum of Women in the Arts#

Open year-round; weekdays outside major holidays are the least crowded times.

Spring (Mar-May)
Mar-May · 8-22°C (46-72°F)
Pleasant in Washington, DC; combine the museum visit with nearby National Mall sites.
Winter weekdays
Dec-Feb · -5-10°C (23-50°F)
Fewer tourists in the city and more space in the galleries; check holiday schedules.

Weather & Climate near National Museum of Women in the Arts#

Climate

National Museum of Women in the Arts's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1055 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 34 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -4° - 6° -3° 80 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
February - -2° - 8° 0° 70 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
March - 2° - 13° 5° 92 mm - - 4.0 m/s - -
April - 7° - 19° 13° 79 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
May - 12° - 25° 18° 105 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
June - 17° - 29° 23° 88 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
July - 20° - 32° 26° 102 mm - - 2.7 m/s - -
August - 19° - 31° 25° 96 mm - - 2.6 m/s - -
September - 15° - 27° 21° 95 mm - - 2.8 m/s - -
October - 8° - 21° 15° 83 mm - - 2.9 m/s - -
November - 3° - 15° 7° 84 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
December - -1° - 9° 1° 81 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -

Nearby Attractions to National Museum of Women in the Arts#