3 min read Arts & Culture

Reframing History at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Collection galleries at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Collection galleries at the National Museum of Women in the Arts; photograph by Jennifer Hughes for NMWA

Explore the World's First Museum Dedicated to Women Artists in Washington, D.C.

Step off the beaten path of D.C.’s monumental corridor and discover a treasure tucked in a stately 1908 former Masonic Temple at 1250 New York Avenue, just blocks from the White House. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the world’s first museum dedicated solely to women’s artistic achievements—five centuries’ worth of masterful paintings, intricate sculptures, and dazzling decorative arts that reshape our understanding of art history.

Justine Kurland, Raft Expedition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Justine Kurland, Raft Expedition, 2001; Chromogenic color print, 30 x 40 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Heather and Tony Podesta Collection; © Justine Kurland, Courtesy of the artist Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York/ National Museum of Women in the Arts

A Female Perspective

For centuries, women created powerful works of art behind the scenes—often unable to study, exhibit, or even sign their names. Some labored in secret, others saw their masterpieces attributed to fathers or teachers, and many vanished from the record altogether. In the 1970s, Wilhelmina Cole Holladay and her husband Wallace began collecting works by women to correct this imbalance. Their passion became the museum’s foundation, giving these artists the recognition they deserve.

A recent renovation added 2,500 square feet of gallery space and dedicated educational studios. Wander through rooms that span from Renaissance portraits to cutting‑edge contemporary installations. Peek behind the scenes in interactive labs where you can watch conservators restore hidden details and learn the methods experts use to attribute unsigned works.

Leonora Carrington, The Ship of Cranes at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Leonora Carrington, The Ship of Cranes, 2010; Bronze, 26 x 14 x 42 1/2 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Gift of Paul Weisz-Carrington, M.D.; © Leonora Carrington/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Photograph by Lee Stalsworth/ National Museum of Women in the Arts

Can you name 5 women artists?

This question forms the centerpiece of the museum's annual social media campaign each March. Since 2016, the #5WomenArtists challenge has encouraged people worldwide to consider why so few women artists come readily to mind when discussing art history.

The campaign reveals ongoing imbalances in how cultural institutions present art. While progress has occurred, women artists today still encounter barriers in gallery representation, museum acquisitions, and market recognition. The museum uses its platform to advocate for changes in these systems.

For 2025, the campaign explores connections between gender equity and environmental issues, examining how artists address climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice through their work.

Beyond its galleries, the museum partners with universities, archives, and living artists to unearth forgotten figures, confirm attributions, and champion women whose work is just beginning to be seen. This advocacy extends beyond simply displaying art to actively working for systemic change.

For current exhibitions and programs, visit nmwa.org.

Fabiola Jean-Louis, Follow the Drinking Gourd, from the series “Rewriting History at t the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Fabiola Jean-Louis, Follow the Drinking Gourd, from the series “Rewriting History,” 2017; Archival pigment print; 33 x 26 in.; Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Myrtis; © Fabiola Jean-Louis/ National Museum of Women in the Arts

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