Smithsonian American Art Museum

Washington, D.C., United States

The Smithsonian American Art Museum has one of the world's largest and most inclusive collections of art, from the colonial period to the present, made in the United States. The museum has more than 7,000 artists represented in the collection, which contains the largest collection of New Deal art; a collection of contemporary craft, American impressionist paintings, and masterpieces from the Gilded Age; photography, modern folk art, works by African American and Latino artists, images of western expansion, and realist art from the first half of the twentieth century. Most exhibitions take place in the museum's main building, the old Patent Office Building (shared with the National Portrait Gallery), while craft-focused exhibitions are shown in the museum's Renwick Gallery.

The main building, the Old Patent Office Building, is a National Historic Landmark and is considered an example of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. It was designed by architects Robert Mills and Thomas U. Walter.

Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum has a broad variety of American art, with more than 7,000 artists represented, that covers all regions and art movements found in the United States. Among the significant artists represented in its collection are Nam June Paik, Jenny Holzer, David Hockney, Georgia O'Keeffe, John Singer Sargent, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Albert Bierstadt, Edmonia Lewis, Thomas Moran, James Gill, Edward Hopper, John William 'Uncle Jack' Dey, Karen LaMonte and Winslow Homer.

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Details

Founded: 1829
Category: Museums in United States

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Mira T (3 months ago)
This museum has a lot of interesting art. If I was an art student, I would be here all the time. There are way too many things to see in a few hours. The court has an incredible glass roof, and it is air-conditioned.
Serena Liao (4 months ago)
We attended the Arcade 2024 day, and had a blast (including two kids). The hall on the first floor is dedicated to the show, there were so many different games you could try and play (for most of them, there was a line, for 5-15mins waiting time). Also there was a band playing the music in the classic games, very entertaining and excellent for taking a break. If that’s not enough, you could find a table and get some drink or coffee. After staying at the arcade show for over 1h, we headed straight to the third floor, to do the kid’s scavenger hunt, get the piece of paper at the first floor entry. The scavenger hunt took us 2 hours, to find those eight art pieces, listen to the audio tour, discuss a few questions and figure out the hidden letter of each painting. All those materials were online, and easy to navigate and use. At the end we solved the puzzle while having a great time. I hope they will update the materials for the kids’s scavenger hunter program, so that when we return next time, we could learn something new:) It’s truly an amazing art gallery/museum, which is free and suits everyone’s exploring spirits.
He Wi (4 months ago)
We had a fantastic experience here. We almost didn’t go to this museum because it wasn’t in the Mall. But boy, this museum was very well organised, had really good collection, and the lockers were functioning. There was also a dance performance in the main atrium on the ground floor. This museum was divided into two wings: portrait (which we didn’t really care for but could still appreciate) and art (mostly paintings), all of which done by American artists. They had six ongoing exhibitions and that was really nice. The interior was also neat. Especially the two stairs connecting first through third floor. The hidden gem was the restoration center. It’s so beautiful!! We’re glad we came here. One of our favourites art museums in DC. In fact, it’s our number 2! Would definitely recommend it.
Kyle (4 months ago)
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is a must-visit for art lovers. It's easily accessible and free to enter, making it an ideal destination. The museum houses an extensive collection, featuring works by renowned artists such as Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, and John Singer Sargent. The exhibits cover a wide range of American art, from colonial to contemporary. Highlights include Hopper's evocative cityscapes and 0'Keeffe's iconic Southwestern scenes. The staff are knowledgeable and eager to assist, enhancing the visitor experience.
Warman Hall (5 months ago)
I picked this museum because it was literally an 8-minute walk from my hotel. I feel like I couldn't have chosen better for my first full Smithsonian museum experience! I love that this museum is free to the public! Nothing better than seeing our national treasures put on display for the public to view. I highly recommend the self-guided tour. The museum is vast but very approachable. I think the average person can see the majority of exhibits in an hour and a half. The interior atrium Courtyard is an exhibit on its own.
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