Every history and art lover’s dream, Washington D.C. is home to over 70 museums, including 19 free Smithsonian museums and galleries. With each museum boasting a rotation of numerous must-see exhibits, trying to choose where to start can be overwhelming.
Here, we’ve broken down a few exhibits coming to D.C. in 2024 you want to make sure you catch:
1. The National Museum of Women in the Arts
Now, the NMWA has a stunning exhibition called “In Focus: Artists at Work” that highlights the practices and perspectives of eight contemporary collection artists via short documentary-style videos.
In addition to several other interesting exhibits, this museum is a must-visit in 2024!
2. Monet: The Immersive Experience
In this multi-sensory wonderland, Monet’s vivid masterpieces are brought to life through state-of-the-art immersive technology. Get ready to step into 360° digital projections of the French artist’s iconic pieces and view his impressionist brushstrokes up close like never before. Famous works like The Water Lily Pond, Poppies, Sunrise, and more will swirl around the room, completely captivating you as you wander about the open space, or sit and take it all in. Don’t miss your chance to go while it’s still in town!
3. Hirshhorn Museum – OSGEMEOS: ENDLESS STORY
Coming September 29th, 2024, the “OSGEMEOS: ENDLESS STORY” exhibit will be one of the largest displays of the Brazillian twin artists, Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo. The extremely interesting and innovative exhibit reflects the artists’ iconic use of modern styles like street graffiti and urban art, conveyed using mediums like wood and canvas.
4. & 5. The Rubell Museum’s two new coexisting exihibitions
Exhibit One – Singular Views: 25 Artists
The Rubell Museum—housed in the former historically Black 1906 Randall Junior High School—will utilize its 32,000 square feet to boast the original architecture reimagined as galleries featuring “artwork that provides perspectives, insights, and commentary on contemporary ideas and issues.” The recently installed exhibition “Singular Views: 25 Artists” is a display of 25 unique contemporary artists from across America. Learn more here!
Exhibit Two – Alexandre Diop: Jooba Jubba, l’Art du Defi, the Art of Challenge
Features the work of Franco-Sangalese Vienna-based artist Alexandre Diop. The work is inspired by concepts like colonialism and diaspora and their impact on themes like ancestry, tradition, suffering, and even violence. This being part of the Rubell Museum D.C.’s second-ever installation, signifies the significance of this work and the strong message that it conveys.
6. Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience
This incredible exhibit seems to turn fun into a scientific equation with ten unique rooms each of which triggers your senses differently; from lights with stunning visuals to a room dedicated to pillow fights, not to mention the oxygen aromatherapy bar at the end!
This place is a must-visit exhibit for anyone in D.C. and is perfect for any occasion, whether that be a unique date night with someone special or a fun plan to do with friends or family.
Location: 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW
7. Learn about Ancient Egypt by visiting this exhibit dedicated to Tutankhamun
This insanely detailed exhibit is dedicated to the famous child pharaoh Tutankhamun, who came into power when he was only nine years old! The exhibit is a nearly perfect recreation of his tomb as it was first discovered in 1922, featuring 1,000s of recreated items displayed exactly how they were first observed when they were photographed for the first time.
The exhibit is perfect for audiences of all ages, with fun interactive features that are perfect for interested children, and the complimentary audio guide makes this the perfect plan to learn something new with a friend or partner!
8. The Spy Museum’s “Bond in Motion” exhibit
Celebrating the decades of cultural influence and impact that the James Bond saga has had on society, The Spy Museum’s latest exhibition is centered around the various vehicles seen throughout the character’s legendary cinematic history. A total of 17 Bond vehicles ranging from his iconic Aston Martin to motorcycles, submarines, and a few of the creative inventions from the Q branch that he’s used on screen throughout the years.
Tickets to the Bond In Motion exhibit only are listed at $13 per person, if you want to fully experience the Spy Museum, a combo deal between General Admission to the museum as well as the Bond exhibit is available starting at $40 for adults and $29 for children.
Location: The Spy Museum
9. Capital Brutalism at the National Building Museum
This incredible new exhibition at the National Building Museum focused on the “brutalism” architecture wave that swept over the capital during the mid-20th century.
Seeing the history of how this Cold War Era architectural style influenced the design and structure of the district while it was growing is one of the most unique and interesting stories that D.C. locals should take the time to learn!
Location: The National Building Museum
10. Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage
Combining the works of nearly 50 artists to create this incredible exhibition dedicated to the collage works of contemporary Black American artists.
The exhibit contains roughly 60 unique works that showcase the vast variety and intricacy of what these artists interpret as Black Identity.
Anybody interested in seeing an art exhibit that will help them to appreciate new perspectives and unique art history, this is the one for you!
Location: The Phillips Collection
11. The Hirshhorn Museum – Basquiat x Banksy
This limited-time-only exhibit will contain just two major pieces, one each from two of the world’s most renowned artists – one from Jean-Michel Basquiat and the other from Banksy.
For Basquiat, the piece to be displayed is his ‘Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump’ (1982), and for Banksy, it is his response piece that references the former piece by Basquiat, ‘Banksquiat. Boy and Dog in Stop and Search’ (2018).
The exhibit will be open starting September 29th and will close on October 25th of this year.