Art Cities: Washington

Introduction

Washington D.C. is a world-class city with a rich history, vibrant arts scene and great dining options. But it’s not only notable for its historic attractions; there are also plenty of hidden gems throughout the District that will keep you busy. From museums to murals and more, here are some of the best places to visit in Washington D.C.:

Washington D.C.

If you’re looking for a city with more museums than you can shake a stick at, Washington D.C. is your place. The Smithsonian Institution alone houses 19 museums and galleries (that’s not including the National Gallery of Art or the Kennedy Center). No matter what kind of art you enjoy, there are bound to be a few museums on their roster that will tickle your fancy–and if not, then perhaps there’s something else in town that will satisfy your needs?

For example: The National Air and Space Museum has over 300 aircrafts on display; while The National Gallery of Art houses over 2 million pieces spanning 5 centuries worth of art history; or maybe even better yet… The Hirshhorn Museum has been described as “one of America’s great modernist buildings” by famed architect Ieoh Ming Pei himself!

St. Louis

St. Louis is a great place for art, and it’s not just because they have the world’s largest collection of Tiffany glass. The St. Louis Art Museum houses more than 30,000 pieces in their permanent collection and hosts special exhibitions throughout the year that bring even more pieces into town. The St. Louis Zoo is also home to an impressive array of works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keefe (not to mention lions, tigers and bears). And if you’re looking for something less traditional but still visually stimulating, check out one of their many temporary exhibits at either the Missouri Botanical Garden or City Museum!

Pittsburgh

In Pittsburgh, the arts are a major part of the community. The city is well known for its sports teams and its large population of over 300 thousand people. But what many people don’t realize is that it also has a great art district with dozens of galleries located within walking distance from one another.

Pittsburgh’s thriving arts scene is due in large part to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), which has been educating artists since 1900 when Andrew Carnegie donated $10 million dollars towards its creation as a “school where art, science and technology would be taught together.” Today CMU offers undergraduate degrees in fine arts or design with minors available in ceramics; digital media; painting & drawing; photography/media arts; sculpture/jewelry metalsmithing & metalsmithing.*

Cleveland

Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is a great place for any music lover. If you’re into sports, Cleveland has plenty of teams for you to watch: The Cleveland Browns (football), Cleveland Indians (baseball), and Cleveland Cavaliers (basketball).

If you’re looking for medical care, head over to the Cleveland Clinic where they have world-class doctors who specialize in treating everything from cancer to depression.

Washington D.C. is a great place for the arts

Washington D.C. is a great place for the arts, with museums and galleries throughout the city. The Smithsonian Institution has many locations that are open to the public, including the National Museum of American History and its annex in Suitland, Maryland; the National Air & Space Museum at Dulles International Airport; and three different museums on Capitol Hill: The National Portrait Gallery (which also houses portraits of U.S presidents), The Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden (which focuses on modern art), and Arthur M Sackler Gallery (which showcases ancient Asian art). There are also dozens of smaller independent art institutions such as Corcoran Gallery of Art & Fogg Museum at Harvard University which focus on specific genres like photography or decorative arts respectively!

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed learning about the arts in Washington D.C.! If you want to learn more about art in other cities, check out our other posts on Pittsburgh, Cleveland and St. Louis.