1. Visit the Museums

Visit the Renwick Gallery

This is a photograph of the interior of the Renwick Gallery.

Hours and Location

Hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Now Open 7 Days a Week

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.

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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.

Masks are not required while visiting the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Visitors may choose to wear a mask during their visit. 

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.

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 coat check or bag storage are not offered at the Renwick. Strollers are permitted in the galleries. 

The Renwick Museum Store is closed temporarily. Selected merchandise is available for purchase at the SAAM Museum Store and online.

Currently, we are not offering printed floor plans, 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

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Please limit the number of personal belongings and bags you bring to the Renwick Gallery. Coat check and bag storage are not available. 

If Sick, Stay Home

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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

Masks are not required while visiting the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Exhibitions at Renwick

  • Quilt featuring the portrait of a woman

    This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World

    May 13, 2022 — April 2, 2023
    Renwick Gallery (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW)
    This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World showcases the dynamic landscape of American craft today. The exhibition highlights the role that artists play in our world to spark essential conversations, stories of resilience, and methods of activism—showing us a more relational and empathetic world. It centers more expansive definitions and acknowledgments of often-overlooked histories and contributions of women, people of color, and other marginalized communities.
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Visiting With Young Children

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

Renwick FAQ

No, tickets are not required to visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum or its Renwick Gallery. 

Masks are not required for visitors to the Smithsonian American Art Museum or its Renwick Gallery. Visitors may choose to wear a mask during their visit.

The Renwick Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On occasion, the Secret Service restricts access to the Renwick Gallery's front entrance. When the museum is open, visitors may still enter through the accessible entrance on 17th Street.

The Renwick Gallery is the nation’s premier museum dedicated to American craft. Artworks represent a range of craft mediums, including fiber, ceramics, glass, metal, and wood. Search the collection to see which artworks are currently on view.

The Renwick Gallery is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. The closest Metro stations are Farragut West (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) and Farragut North (Red line).

No, tickets are not required.

Exhibitions rotate regularly at the Renwick Gallery. To check what’s currently on view, see current exhibitions.

All on-site public tours are currently suspended. See our calendar of events for upcoming in-person programs.

We are not currently offering in-person school tours, but we are able to provide interactive, free videoconference options for K-12 students.

All of our teacher professional development programs are online for the current school year.

Yes. Contact us to inquire about hosting your special event, wedding, birthday, or corporate party at the Renwick.

The Renwick Gallery is closed December 25.

There is no coat check or bag storage at the museum.

We encourage you to limit the number of personal belongings and bags you bring into our facilities. 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.

Yes, although we have limitations to protect the artwork. Suitcases, large umbrellas, and large backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Security officers may ask visitors to hand-carry smaller backpacks, or wear them on the front of their bodies. Please note that we do not offer coat or bag storage.

The main entrance to the Renwick Gallery, accessible by a set of stairs and wide double-doors, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue. Access via an accessible ramp is available at the 17th Street entrance.

At the Renwick Gallery, accessible restrooms are located on all levels with unisex accessible restrooms on the first floor and basement level.

All mothers are welcome to breastfeed in any space that is open to the public. There are no designated areas for breastfeeding at the museum.

You may not bring any outside food or drink to consume in the museum; no smoking, eating, or drinking is allowed in museum galleries. Catering is not permitted unless coordinated with SAAM Special Events staff.

Yes, water bottles are allowed if closed. Water fountains are available on the first and second floors, directly opposite the elevator.

Service animals are welcome. Please leave your pets at home.

Handheld photography and video for personal use is generally encouraged throughout the museum. Sometimes, photography of particular artworks may not be allowed in selected special exhibitions; please check the wall signage to confirm. No tripods, selfie sticks, or similar long tools are permitted in the galleries to protect the artworks.

Handheld photography and video for personal use is generally permitted throughout the museum. Sometimes, photography of particular artworks may not be allowed in selected special exhibitions; please check the wall signage to confirm. No tripods, selfie sticks, or similar long tools are permitted in the galleries to protect the artworks. Commercial and documentary filming requests must be submitted through the Smithsonian’s film request form.

Yes, please use the ramp on 17th Street to enter. Occasionally, special exhibitions may limit stroller access during busy times.