Washington, DC’s National Museum of Women in the Arts is reopening in October after a $67.5 million renovation.
Described as the world’s first major museum “solely dedicated to championing women artists”, the institution will welcome visitors once again on 21 October 2023.
It will provide new exhibition spaces and public programming areas, larger gallery spaces, improved amenities and increased accessibility. It will also include an improved research library and an updated performance hall.
The museum’s inaugural exhibition, ‘The Sky’s the Limit’, will feature monumental sculptures and immersive installations by 12 contemporary women artists.
The renovation, designed by Baltimore-based architectural firm Sandra Vicchio & Associates, is the museum’s first full renovation since it opened in 1987.
Susan Fisher Sterling, the National Museum of Women in the Arts‘ director, said the museum “has a distinctive role in the art world”.
“As both a museum and a megaphone, we advocate for gender equity through excellence in the arts,” she added.
“We have continued to do this work virtually and off-site during our closure, but we are really looking forward to reopening our building this fall.
“Our renewed and reimagined spaces will enhance our ability to share great works of art, engage with our visitors and reach out to new audiences.”
Championing women artists
As part of the project, the museum is improving the wireless and interactive technology in its galleries and installing new lighting, climate control and security technology.
The collection storage spaces are being enhanced, and the museum’s shop is expanding to include more items by women-owned companies and women makers.
In the UK, Tate Britain has started rehanging all of its free collection displays for the first time in 10 years. The rehang will be unveiled on 23 May.
Women artists will be better represented than ever before, making up half of the contemporary artists on view.
Images: National Museum of Women in the Arts
