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Visit the Museums

SAAM

Please note our modified schedule

Hours: 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

Starting January 18 Open: Thursday – Sunday

Open:  Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Please note our modified schedule

Hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Starting January 18 Open: Thursday – Sunday

Closed:  Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Know Before You Go: Guidelines for Visiting

We are delighted to welcome visitors back into our galleries! To keep us all safe, we ask that all visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, follow these safety measures to protect everyone’s health. Visitors who do not adhere to safety policies and guidelines may be asked to leave.

All visitors ages two (2) and older are required to wear a mask.

We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households or groups.

Personal Belongings

A graphic of bags

We encourage you to limit the number of personal belongings and bags you bring to SAAM and the Renwick Gallery. Suitcases, large umbrellas, and backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Security officers may ask you to hand-carry smaller backpacks, or wear them on your front, to protect the artworks. Please note that we do not offer coat check or bag storage at this time. Strollers are permitted in the galleries. 

If Sick, Stay Home

A graphic of a blue house

We’re asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home. If you are at increased risk of severe illness, you may also want to consider staying home.

Face Coverings

A graphic of a face mask

All visitors ages two (2) and older are required to wear a mask while visiting Smithsonian museums and indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings must fit properly and be worn over the nose and mouth. Face shields are not permitted as a substitute for a mask but may be worn over a face covering or mask. Bandanas, single-ply gaiters and face coverings or masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted.

Visiting Tips: What’s New

Enter SAAM's main building using either the entrance located at 8th and G Streets NW or the entrance located at 8th and F Streets NW. Access ramps are located on both sides of the 8th and G Streets NW entrance.

All visitors ages two (2) and older are required to wear a mask while visiting Smithsonian museums and indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings must fit properly and be worn over the nose and mouth. Face shields are not permitted as a substitute for a mask but may be worn over a face covering or mask. Bandanas, single-ply gaiters and face coverings or masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted.

As a health and safety precaution, we are not offering printed floor plans at this time. To find your way around you may use the museum’s free Wi-Fi to access a digital Smithsonian American Art Museum Map [PDF] and a digital Renwick Gallery Map [PDF].

All children (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. At least one (1) adult chaperone is required to accompany up to five (5) children.

The Courtyard Café in SAAM's main building is currently closed. Beginning Sunday, January 9, the café will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tables and limited seating have been restored in the Kogod Courtyard and the Luce Foundation Center. Visitors are permitted to bring in food and beverages to be consumed in designated spaces in the Kogod Courtyard only; alcoholic beverages and food for groups is not permitted. Outside food is not permitted at the Renwick Gallery, except for bottled water that may be consumed in designated areas.

The SAAM Museum Store and the Renwick Gallery Store are open for in-person shopping, and our stores are always open online! 

Our Locations

The Smithsonian American Art Museum shares its collections, programs, and exhibitions in two locations in Washington, DC. SAAM’s main building is located at the heart of a vibrant downtown cultural district, while its branch museum for contemporary craft and decorative art, the Renwick Gallery, is located nine blocks west, near the White House.

More on Visiting SAAM

American art museum featuring works from the colonial era to the present

8th and G Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20004 

More on Visiting Renwick

Branch museum featuring contemporary craft and decorative arts

Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

Exhibitions at SAAM

Exhibitions at Renwick

  • A chandelier made of glass that looks like meat.

    New Glass Now 

    October 22, 2021 — March 6, 2022
    Renwick Gallery (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW)

    New Glass Now documents the innovation and dexterity of artists, designers, and architects from around the world working in the challenging material of glass. This global survey is designed to highlight the breadth and depth of contemporary glass making.

COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that is believed to mainly spread by person-to-person contact. The Smithsonian is doing its part to mitigate transmission, and we ask you, our visitors, to do the same and help us reduce the spread of COVID-19. Despite our best efforts, the risk of contracting COVID-19 could increase by visiting the Smithsonian.

By visiting the Smithsonian, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

The Smithsonian reserves the right to modify its hours of operations, capacity, or visitor guidelines as circumstances require and to deny entry or access to any person who fails to follow these guidelines or whose conduct puts Smithsonian staff, visitors, or property at risk.

FAQ

No, tickets are not required to visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum or its Renwick Gallery. As of July 20, 2021, passes are no longer required to visit. All passes issued for July 21–August 15 will be canceled and will not be scanned at entry.

No, tickets are not required to visit the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. As of July 20, 2021, passes are no longer required to visit. All passes issued for July 21–August 15 will be canceled and will not be scanned at entry.

Yes, all visitors ages two (2) and older are required to wear a mask while visiting Smithsonian museums and indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings must fit properly and be worn over the nose and mouth. Face shields are not permitted as a substitute for a mask but may be worn over a face covering or mask. Bandanas, single-ply gaiters and face coverings or masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted.

Yes. Admission to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery is free.

No. Staff will not be taking guests’ temperatures at this time. If you feel unwell, please stay home.
 

We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households or groups. At higher capacities, it is difficult to enforce social distancing and some spaces in the museum may be crowded. We encourage visitors to take this into consideration when planning their visit. 

The bathrooms and high-touch areas, such as doors, will be cleaned more frequently throughout each day.

Bathrooms are open throughout the museum for you to wash your hands. Sanitizing stations are strategically placed throughout the museum at frequently touched areas. We also encourage guests to bring their own hand sanitizer for personal use throughout the museum.