National Museum of African Art National Gallery of Art Facts

Complete Guide To Museum of African Art

exterior shot of National Museum of African Art

Ane of the land's outset institutions dedicated solely to artistic expression on the African continent, the National Museum of African Art opened to the public in 1987. The allure boasts a collection of more than ix,000 pieces in a variety of media spanning from ancient times through the modern era. In addition to textiles and jewelry, the museum has sculptures, pottery and paintings representing nearly every country in Africa, including Arab North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Although information technology is i of the Smithsonian'southward smallest museums, the establishment has the largest unmarried collection of African fine art in the United States.

The institution has the largest single drove of African fine art in the United States.

History of the Museum

The museum traces its roots dorsum to the 1950s when Warren Robbins, a Foreign Service Officer, began collecting African masks, figures and textiles. As his drove grew, he purchased a house in Washington's Capitol Colina neighborhood and opened it every bit a small museum. It later expanded to over a dozen buildings, including ane that once served as the residence of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The museum was formalized in 1964 every bit the Museum of African Art. During the 1970s, Robbins lobbied Congress to have the Smithsonian assume responsibility for the museum to preserve the collection long term. The mensurate was approved in 1978 and the institution was officially renamed the National Museum of African Art 3 years subsequently.

The Museum Building

Most immediately, the Smithsonian began the process of relocating the collection from the various townhouses situated across the Capitol Loma neighborhood to a more suitable museum. Construction of the museum edifice located on the National Mall began in 1983. Similar the nearby Sackler Gallery, the majority of the museum's 368,000 foursquare anxiety of exhibition space is situated mostly cloak-and-dagger. The project'south atomic number 82 architect was Jean-Paul Carlhian. The Museum of African Fine art has one level above ground featuring a cherry granite façade, a limestone foyer and circles as its architectural theme. This contrasts with the triangle and pyramid shapes of the Sackler Gallery. Galleries and upshot space occupy three lower levels that are connected past an enclosed arcade boasting several skylights that provide natural illumination.

Must Come across Exhibits

Ongoing exhibitions include the wind, water and healing arts series. The wind exhibits include a cross section of the continent's history, culture, politics and trade. The water exhibits highlight the way that this vital resource flows through the continent and connects people of different cultures. The healing arts exhibits characteristic works highlighting Africa's concrete, social and spiritual challenges. Another permanent exhibit showcases the vibrant colors and intricate details of African mosaics. The museum as well houses the unique and rare works of the famed Walt Disney-Tishman Collection of traditional Sub-Saharan fine art.

In improver to its permanent, special and rotating exhibits, the museum also sponsors educational outreach programs, public discussions, films, workshops, storytelling sessions and musical performances.

Visiting the Museum

The National Museum of African Fine art is open to the public costless of charge from ten a.one thousand. until 5:30 p.yard. every day except Christmas. Docent-led walking tours are bachelor throughout the calendar week. Sign language tours tin be arranged in advance. The museum also offers assisted listening devices when needed. Exhibition materials are available in large print, audio cassette and calculator disc formats. Tours begin at the Information Desk-bound located in the ground floor pavilion. The wheelchair attainable museum has on-site restrooms, a retail store and irresolute rooms. The closest nutrient court is situated in the nearby Smithsonian Castle. Heightened security measures, which include the search of backpacks and other large bags, tin increment the fourth dimension it requires to enter the museum.

Getting There

There are a limited number of metered parking spaces near the museum on Independence Avenue. Designated handicapped attainable parking spaces tin can be constitute on Jefferson Drive. The Smithsonian Metro stops on the Orange and Blueish lines are approximately one block away.

The most convenient way to accomplish the National Museum of African Art is to ride the Old Town Trolley. Climb aboard the trolley and hear a fascinating and educational narrative well-nigh many of the urban center's famous monuments, memorials and other points of involvement. Hop off the dark-green and orange trolley at the museum and explore it at your leisure. When you accept finished, climb aboard the side by side passing trolley to continue the fun-filled sightseeing tour where you left off. One comes past every 30 minutes.

Former Town Trolley eliminates the hassles of navigating congested city traffic and trying to find a place to park.

Nearby Attractions

The Freer Gallery of Fine art features a broad collection of Asian, Near East and Egyptian works from antiquity to gimmicky times. The museum'south highlight is the Peacock Room designed by famed American creative person James McNeil Whistler. Featuring Anglo-Japanese designs, it is considered a masterpiece in interior decorative fine art.

Built in 1855, the Smithsonian Establishment Building is a National Celebrated Landmark designed by James Renwick, Jr. The scarlet Seneca sandstone edifice is colloquially known as the Castle because of its false Norman architectural façade. The Castle houses the Smithsonian Information Centre and exhibits that highlight the collections in each of the Institution's other museums.

Situated in front of the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building, the Carousel on the National Mall was built in 1947. The celebrated carousel played a role in desegregating Maryland'due south Gwynn Oak Amusement Park the aforementioned twenty-four hours that Dr. Martin Luther Rex gave his famous "I Accept a Dream Spoken communication" during the historic March on Washington. It replaced the original mall carousel in 1981. Featuring sixty jumping horses and sea dragons, information technology provides fun and excitement for children of all ages.

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Source: https://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/museum-african-art

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