Expand your family’s knowledge of and experience with art and creativity at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. This renowned art museum holds paintings and sculptures from the 13th through 18th centuries, with exhibits of modern art mixed in. Opened in 1937, the National Gallery of Art was established after financier and art collector Andrew W. Mellon donated his large art collection to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the U.S. government.
The collection spans two buildings and includes works by Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt, Degas and more. A six-acre garden is home to sculptures and monuments surrounded by plants, pathways and fountains, and the reflection pool in the center of the garden is turned in to an ice-skating rink every winter. Families will enjoy the rich art history of the gallery, along with special performances, films, workshops and activities held year-round. Children between the ages of 4 and 7 can learn through the Stories in Art program, which focuses on the art of different cultures, and children ages 8 and up will enjoy Artful Conversations, which examines different pieces of art within the gallery. Families can sign up for NGAKids and continue doing art activities online through interactive painting, decorating and photography activities, too.
The National Gallery of Art is near the National Mall, which is home to many memorials, monuments and museums.