Adults
The Gallery’s education division offers a variety of programming and resources for adult participants of all levels through lectures, seminars, gallery talks, tours, and studio art programs.
Online Audio/Video
Listen to podcasts and watch video of artists, authors, filmmakers, musicians, and historians. The archive of programs dates back to 1941.
Gallery Talks
Free talks by museum educators and specialists focus on specific aspects of the Gallery's permanent collection or special exhibitions. These programs are geared to an adult audience.
Lectures
Visit the Gallery for a front-row seat at panel discussions, conversations with artists, and other programs featuring distinguished guest speakers and staff.
Tours
Offered daily, free docent-led tours explore highlights of the permanent collection. Topics include the recently renovated Sculpture Galleries and the Italian Renaissance, French, American, and modern collections.
Drawing Salon
The Drawing Salon is a series of workshops focusing on works in the collection through observation, drawing, and discussion.
Food For Thought
Participate in a seminar-style luncheon discussion of art history and related readings led by museum educators. Free, but registration is required.
Foreign Language Tours
Tours of the permanent collection are offered regularly, free of charge, in Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, and Spanish.
Audio Tours
Free audio tours of the permanent collection may be picked up at the Acoustiguide desk located in the Rotunda, on the Main Floor of the West Building. Audio tours of special exhibitions, $5 per tour unless otherwise noted, are available for rental at the entrance to the exhibition. Learn more
Film and Music Programs
Foreign Language Tour Requests
Individuals and small groups may schedule special request tours, free of charge, in 13 different languages. Please contact Adult Programs three weeks in advance for an appointment. Learn more
Special Group Requests
Organized groups of 15 or more may schedule special request tours of special exhibitions or the permanent collection, free of charge. Please contact Adult Programs three weeks to four months advance for an appointment. Learn more
Visitors with Disabilities
Sign-language interpreters and guides for visitors who are blind or have low vision are available for tours of the permanent collection and special exhibitions. Please call (202) 842-6247 three weeks in advance for an appointment. Learn more
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers make significant contributions to the many programs and public services offered by the National Gallery of Art. Potential volunteers should contact the departments in which they would like to offer assistance. Learn more