National Museum of Women in the Arts

At 1250 New York Ave NW in downtown Washington, DC, the National Museum of Women in the Arts is dedicated to women artists and their work across six centuries. Its collection includes more than 6,000 works by over 1,000 artists, from Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe to lesser-known names. Set inside a former Masonic temple, the museum pairs paintings, sculpture and photography with marble staircases and chandeliers. Look for Kahlo’s work, explore the galleries and, if you have time, visit the Research Library or museum shop.

A collection spanning six centuries

The National Museum of Women in the Arts focuses on art made by women, from the 16th century to the present. Its collection includes more than 6,000 works by over 1,000 artists and covers painting, sculpture, photography and decorative arts. The museum’s displays bring established names together with artists who are less familiar to many visitors.

Look for work by Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe, alongside artists such as Mary Cassatt, Alma Woodsey Thomas and Amy Sherald. Kahlo’s Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky is identified as the only painting by the artist in Washington, DC. The collection’s breadth makes it possible to encounter different periods and media in one visit.

Inside the former Masonic temple

The museum occupies a Classical Revival-style building that was originally a Masonic temple. Its marble staircases, chandeliers and gold-trimmed details give the galleries a distinctive setting. The building’s history is also closely tied to the institution’s purpose: it now houses a museum devoted to women artists, in a space once associated with an organization that did not admit women.

A major renovation completed in 2023 expanded gallery space and improved the interior and exterior areas. The project also added space for research and education and upgraded visitor amenities and accessibility. The refreshed building brings the collection and its public programs together under one roof.