The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) invites the community to explore the museum (1250 New York Ave NW) after hours, engage with educators and artists and create their own art at a variety of unique events this spring.
In addition to collection tours (daily at 2 p.m.) and gallery talks (Wednesdays at 12 p.m.), the museum will offer opportunities to engage with artists, explore new collections, create artwork and explore the museum after-hours this spring.
Create and Engage
Following extensive renovations, the museum reopened to the public in October 2023. In addition to a variety of featured exhibitions and unique rotating collections throughout the year, an art studio space was added on the 4th floor to allow guests 13 years and older to explore the art more deeply and make their own creations.
The studio will host a series of hands-on workshops from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates:
- Saturday, March 7: Fiber arts workshop.
- Saturday, April 4: Poetry workshop.
- Saturday, May 2: Mind-Body movement and art-making inspired by the Shah Garg Collection.
Some workshops include participation fee of $25 for the general public, $22 for students, seniors and District residents and $20 for museum members. Registration is required to attend workshops and all materials will be provided.
NWMA invites the community to kick-off International Women’s Day with yoga from 9 to 10 a.m. on March 8 in the Great Hall. Reservations are required and the ticket price includes museum admission. Tickets go on sale Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. Tickets for the general public are $20, students, seniors and District residents are $17 and members are $15.
Later in March, bring your laptop and passion for the arts to the annual Wikipedia Edit-a-thon. Join NWMA and Wikimedia on Sunday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at to help close gaps related to gender, feminism and the arts. The event is free, but advanced registration is required.
Discover and Learn
Dive into current collections and special exhibitions from the comfort of home through Art Chat @ Five. This event takes place on the fourth Friday of each month and is limited to the first 45 registered participants. These free, virtual conversations allow participants to engage with NWMA educators about different artwork each month.
- Friday, Jan. 23
- Friday, Feb. 13
- Friday, Feb. 27
- Friday, March 13
- Friday, March 27
- Friday, April 10
- Friday, April 24
- Friday, May 13
Explore the world of filmmaking and learn with a screening of the documentary Tamara: The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival (2024) on Sunday, March 8, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Explore the Halls After-Hours
Visitors are invited to explore the museum after clossing from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at NMWA Nights. With art, live music, cocktails, specialty tours, opportunities to create art and more, this popular monthly event has something for everyone. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $22 for seniors, students and DC residents and $20 for museum members. Advanced registration is required.
- Wednesday, Jan. 21 (Donation drive for Suited for a Change)
- Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Wednesday, March 18
- Wednesday, April 15
- Wednesday, May 20
Celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the #5WomenArtists social media campaign on Friday, March 6, from 8:30 p.m. to midnight at NWMA Unframed: “Aluminate the Night”. This special after-hours event will include live musical performances, DJ sets, pop-up art activations, a costume contest, interactive art and more. Tickets are $150 and include event admission, beer, wine and light bites. Advanced registration is required to attend.
Plan Your Visit
NMWA is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $13 for District residents, students, educators, active-duty military members and visitors over 65. Admission is free for all guests with disabilities, under the age of 21 and SNAP/EBT card holders.
The museum will also feature several Community Days this spring with free admission to the museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 14
- Sunday, Feb. 1
- Wednesday, Feb. 11
- Sunday, March 1 (Women’s History Month Kick-Off Event)
- Wednesday, March 11
- Sunday, April 5
- Sunday, May 3 (Including Makers’ Market 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Current exhibitions include: Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam (on display through Jan. 11), Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies (on display through March 8), Ruth Orkin: Women on the Move (on display through March 29) and Remix: The Collection (on display through Oct. 25).
Visit nwma.org to learn more, reserve tickets and register to attend an upcoming event.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.
