If you’re looking to make art a bigger part of your life in the new year, you’ve come to the right place.
There is so much to look forward to at the National Gallery, both in person and online: dynamic, thought-provoking exhibitions, new works of art to see, and opportunities to learn, create, and explore new perspectives.
We hope this look ahead will help you make 2023 your most artful yet.
Are you ready to take your love of art to the next level? Become a member and get special access to members-only content and 10% off purchases in our shops.
Dive into unexpected worlds in our 2023 exhibitions
What do Dorothea Lange’s portraits, Mark Rothko’s paintings, and Philip Guston’s 50-year career have in common? They are all featured in limited-time exhibitions opening this year. What’s more, we have a wide range of free events that bring our exhibitions to life.
- A Southern blues and gospel music concert inspired by our exhibition Called to Create: Black Artists from the American South (February 26)
- Art-making activities on January 7, February 4, and March 4
- School tours throughout the spring (January 9 – June 2)
- Film series and artist talk on our photography exhibition This Is Britain: Photographs from the 1970s and 1980s featuring artist Sunil Gupta (March 1)
Stay tuned for more program announcements to come!
Make your own masterpiece
Want to explore your creative side? We can help you get inspired to make art yourself, at home and the museum.
On the first Saturday of each month, the East Building will transform into an interactive art space for children, teens and adults, with art making, children’s films, pop-up activities, and more.
Can’t join in person? Our monthly virtual Sketchbook Club takes a work from our collection as inspiration for a 30-minute sketching activity. Doodling is also encouraged.
And for our littlest artists, spark their imaginations with our bilingual (Spanish and English) Art Tales activities and videos inspired by Henri Matisse, Alma Thomas, and more.
Learn something new—in person and at home
Beloved programs like Jazz in the Garden, Sunday concerts, and National Gallery Nights will return, while special guests and themes bring something new.
- Explore the complexities of Latinx art in the United States in a day-long series of lectures (January 20)
- Learn about Mayan writing (also known as glyphs) in this year’s 72nd Mellon Lectures series (begins April 16).
- Can’t join in person? Our virtual The Art of Looking series offers a perfect lunch break over art.
Get the full picture with fresh stories and videos
Have you ever wondered how a painting was made? Or why Vermeer is so famous? Our website features a range of stories about art and artists, their inspirations, and the unexpected connections to our world today. Here are some highlights:
- Enter the lively world of John Singer Sargent’s brushwork
- Meet Vermeer’s fiercest fans
- Discover the deadly business of the Dutch quest for salt
Check out our YouTube channel to get a behind-the-scenes look and learn something new:
- Find your new favorite artist
- Take a two-minute tour of our exhibitions
- Ask the National Gallery Anything — a behind-the-scenes Q&A with staff who answer questions from visitors like you
- Investigate the history of paintings
- ...and more!
Renew and recharge throughout the year
The National Gallery is a great place to find refuge surrounded by beautiful architecture, a peaceful Sculpture Garden and, of course, world-class art.
You might start by marking the changing of the seasons. In winter, find shelter with tropical plants in our central Rotunda or embrace the chill with a twirl around our ice rink, open until March 6.
In spring, the National Gallery reawakens with blooming wisteria along our West Building, cherry blossoms outside the East Building, our famed azaleas display in the Rotunda, and the return of our four fountains—hidden places for refuge in the heart of the city.
In summer, beat the heat inside our East and West Building and at our Sculpture Garden fountain. Enjoy live music at our popular, free summer concert series Jazz in the Garden, or cool down in the shady rest areas adjacent to our Mall entrance.
Come fall, visit us to watch the leaves change along the National Mall while taking in a free Sunday concert or film program.
Visit your favorite work of art or find a new one
Did you know we have more than 2,000 artworks on view? Take advantage of our website to explore what you can see in the museum at any given time. You can even search specifically for Sculptures, Paintings, Decorative art, Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, or discover works that have recently entered our collection.
We offer many free, daily guided tours to learn about topics ranging from the Renaissance to modern art.
While sections of the West Building’s Main Floor will be temporarily closed throughout 2023 for renovations, we’ll always have a selection of highlights you to enjoy on the Ground Floor. Talk to a Visitor Experience Representative to find your way — we’re here to help!
Need a reminder about what's on at the museum and online? Sign up to our newsletter below for updates throughout the year.
Make the most of the new year!
Our weekly email features news, events, exhibitions, and more.