Discovering the National Museum of Women in the Arts, NMWA, Washington

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) was founded for several reasons, all related to the desire to promote and recognize the contributions of women in the arts.


Wilhelmina Cole Holladay and Wallace F. Holladay began collecting art in the 1970s and noticed that women artists were underrepresented in museums.
Wilhelmina Cole Holladay decided to devote her resources to creating a museum that would showcase women artists. 


The NMWA is the world's first museum dedicated solely to promoting women through the arts.


The museum was incorporated as a private nonprofit museum in November 1985.... Before its official opening, the NMWA operated out of the Holladay residence, where tours of the collection were held.

In 1983, the museum purchased its current building at 1250 New York Avenue, NW, in Washington, D.C., and opened its doors to the public in April 1987....
The inaugural exhibition was titled American Women Artists, 1830–1930.

The NMWA's mission is to recognize the achievements of women artists from all eras and nationalities by exhibiting, preserving, acquiring, and researching art created by women, and informing the public about their achievements. 

The museum also strives to address gender inequality in the art world by correcting the imbalance in favor of women artists.

In addition to its exhibitions, the NMWA offers educational programs, a library, and a research center. The museum is also committed to the community and encourages social change.


In 2003, an association called Les Amis du NMWA was founded in Paris. The NMWA received the Simone de Beauvoir Award for Women's Freedom in 2015 for its mission to reveal women's art.

From the 17th century to the present day, with more than 1,000 works and 170 artists represented, an immersion in art history through the eyes of women. 




• https://nmwa.org/art/artists/frida-kahlo/
  
• https://nmwa.org/art/artists/camille-claudel/
  
• https://nmwa.org/art/artists/rosa-bonheur/
  
• https://nmwa.org/art/artists/joan-mitchell/
  
• https://nmwa.org/art/artists/louise-bourgeois/
  
• https://nmwa.org/art/artists/sarah-bernhardt/
  

International Women's Day:

Celebrate International Women's Day with an exclusive, free virtual event exploring the life, art, and lasting legacy of Frida Kahlo (1907–1954). Join Sarah Powers, curator at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), for a look into her research ahead of the upcoming exhibition Frida: Beyond the Myth (April 5–September 28, 2025). 

Ms. Powers will offer insight into Kahlo's art and life, highlighting the essential role of the artist's personal mythology in shaping our understanding of one of the 20th century's most iconic artists. 

After the presentation, Ms. Powers will join Laura Hoffman, the NMWA's Director of Digital Engagement, for a lively conversation. They will discuss the NMWA's collection of Kahlo's personal letters and how digital innovation is transforming the way we connect with personal narratives in art.

To register, click here: https://nmwa.org/whats-on/calendar/frida-kahlo-art-legacy/