Visit the Renwick Gallery
Hours and Location
Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Holiday Hours: Closed September 6 and December 25, 2021
Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
The Renwick Gallery, a branch museum of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, is dedicated to contemporary craft and decorative arts. It is located steps from the White House in the heart of historic federal Washington. The closest Metro stations are Farragut West (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) and Farragut North (Red line). Barrier-free ramp access is available at the 17th Street entrance.
There is limited on-street parking at meters; several paid parking garages are available in the neighborhood.
Planning Your Visit
We’re delighted to welcome visitors back into our galleries! 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 while visiting Smithsonian museums and indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth. Face shields or any kind of face covering or mask with an exhalation valve are not permitted.
We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households or groups.
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 museum stores are open for in-person shopping, and our stores are always open online!
As a health and safety precaution, we are not offering printed floor plans at this time, but you may use the museums’ free Wi-Fi to access a Renwick Gallery Map [PDF] to find your way around.
Bringing in outside food is not permitted except for bottled water that may be consumed in designated areas.
Know Before You Go: Guidelines for Visiting
Personal Belongings
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
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
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 be worn over the nose and mouth. Face shields or any kind of face covering or mask with an exhalation valve are not permitted.
Exhibitions at Renwick
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Janet Echelman’s 1.8 Renwick
OngoingRenwick Gallery (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW)Janet Echelman's colorful fiber and lighting installation, suspended from the ceiling of the Renwick Gallery's Grand Salon, examines the complex interconnections between human beings and our physical world, and reveals the artist's fascination with the measurement of time. -
Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery
OngoingRenwick Gallery (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW)Connections is the Renwick Gallery’s dynamic ongoing permanent collection presentation, featuring more than 80 objects celebrating craft as a discipline and an approach to living differently in the modern world. The installation includes iconic favorites alongside new acquisitions.
Visiting With Young Children
All visitors ages two and older are required to wear a mask while visiting.
Strollers are permitted inside the galleries. Stroller parking is available at the 17th Street accessible entrance, if needed. A changing table is available in the accessible restroom stall on each floor.
Accessibility
Barrier-free access to the museum is available at the 17th Street entrance. All areas of the building are served by elevators. Accessible restrooms are located throughout the museum. More information about accessibility at the museum, including services for visitors who have vision and/or hearing loss.
Service Animal Policy
Service animals are welcome at Smithsonian museums. Service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are dogs trained to do work or perform specific tasks for a guest with a disability.
Aira
The Renwick Gallery is an Aira access site. Visitors who are blind or low-vision can download the Aira app free of charge onto a smart phone. The Aira app uses the phone’s camera to take in the user’s surroundings, and a live Aira agent will describe the environment, including reading of exhibit labels and instructions. This service is free of charge on the museum premises. Visit Aira Access.
Telephone Numbers
Museum Information (recorded): (202) 633-7970
General Smithsonian Visitor Information: (202) 633-1000
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.
