Exciting things are happening this year! The National Gallery of Art is offering 6 new exhibitions in 2025! These rotating exhibits always give a freshness to compliment their stunning permanent collections.
Whether you are into traditional painting, sketching, photography, or more contemporary mediums, the Gallery has something for you. These National Gallery of Art special exhibitions are once in a lifetime experiences that you can’t miss if you’re visiting Washington DC.
What type of art is at the National Gallery in DC
The National Gallery of Art, located in Washington DC is the 8th most visited gallery in the world. The gallery comprises works as early as the 2nd century up to the present day. It is divided into two buildings with over 140,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, sketches, and more!
The neoclassical style West building holds the European and American classical art collections dating back to the 2nd century. It traces the history of the Middle Ages until the dawn of Modern Art. This includes pieces like Leonardo Da Vinci’s only painting in the Western Hemisphere, Rembrandt’s portraits, and the Impressionists masterpieces.
The East building, designed by I.M. Pei, is a piece of art in itself. The gallery spaces hold works by legendary modern artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Modigiani, and Piet Mondrian. There are more abstract works as well, like the spatter-painted Jackson Pollocks and color block art by Mark Rothko. Various contemporary exhibitions, like the ones joining the Museum in 2025, are rotated on a frequent basis keeping the space fresh and full of inspiration. These are must-sees for any modern-contemporary art lover.
6 new exhibitions coming to the National Gallery of Art
Beginning in March 2025, you’ll be able to visit these 6 new exhibitions at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. Make sure your visit to the nation’s capital includes these must-see highlights.
March 9 - July 6, 2025
A leader in 20th century art, Catlett focuses on addressing injustices of the United States and Mexico. With 150 pieces: rarely seen paintings and sketches, visitors will see the perspective of not only an innovative Black female artist but a woman who was not afraid to stand up against injustice.
Although Catlett started in Washington DC, Chicago, and New York, she eventually moved to Mexico where she met artists including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and David Siqueiros. Through her wooden, bronze, and terracotta sculptures, prints and painting, Catlett displayed the struggle and strength of African Americans (specifically women) who experienced poverty and the disadvantages of social classes.
April 5 - August 3, 2025
Booker’s art is truly revolutionary. Her exhibit will display works composed completely out of discarded rubber tires. Living in the non gentrified East Village of New York in the 1980s, she saw beauty in the harshest conditions. Taking her creativity to new heights, Booker changes our perception turning what we may see as waste into a work of art.
The use of the industrial waste is both a reflection on cultural issues as well as a turn to sustainability. The exhibit features 4 famous wall relief sculptures in addition to Booker’s six-part photogravure series with Lewis and Clark exploration undertones.
May 18 - November 2, 2025
In collaboration with the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, this unique exhibition focuses on the effect of the natural world on art. By the 16th and 17th century, fascination with natural history captivated the Dutch and Netherlands. Due to this new interest in natural science, artists increased their still life paintings with wildlife themes. These included not just flowers but bees, plants, insects, and many small animals. At this interdisciplinary exhibition, you’ll see 75 paintings alongside real animal specimens.
Discover artists such as Joris Hoefnagel and Jan van Kessel capturing the plants, flowers, and little beasts (or beestjes). Any art enthusiast would know that these small creatures and tiny plant specimens are some of the most difficult to capture. If you’re a nature lover with an appreciation for the little details, you’ll enjoy the upcoming Little Beasts exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
August 2,2025 - February 1, 2026
DC’s first fine art museum, the Corcoran Gallery, is known for its stunning oil paintings of America’s Great Outdoors. What many do not know is that there is a large collection of watercolor paintings as well. Explore how watercolor went from a practical tool to a fine art in its own right.
Featuring works from 1800 to 1991, this stunning exhibition will display America’s favorite forests, mountain landscapes, and breathtaking seaside through the unique spontaneity of watercolor.
The exhibit will be divided into four sections: sights of the Washington, DC area, waterfalls, rivers, and ocean views of New England, classic Western views including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the California coastline, and finally studies of plants and the natural world.
September 21, 2025 - January 4, 2026
In the midst of the Civil Rights moment, a group of musicians, fine artists, poets, playwrights, videographers, used a new medium to petition social justice: the arts. This exhibit focuses on Black Arts Movement of the 50s and 60s and the specific role photography played in the Black Power Movement. Photography leading aspects in the cause and its impact on Black cultural history
The exhibition includes 150 pieces by over 100 artists including Billy Abernathy,
Romare Bearden, Kwame Brathwaite, Roy DeCarava, Doris Derby, Emory Douglas, Barkley Hendricks, Barbara McCullough, Betye Saar, and Ming Smith to name a few. Explore how these photographers both shaped and documented the legendary movement.
October 18, 2025 - March 1, 2026
From Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria, this rare exhibition focuses on contemporary art of Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander peoples. Aboriginal art is unique since it dates back thousands of years and covers everything from complex body art to breathtaking rock paintings.
The exhibition will display 200 works by 130 different artists. Featured works include pieces by Anmatyerr, Emily Kam Kngwarray and Senior Yolŋu artist Gulumbu Yunupiŋu
Explore the symbols, themes, and images associated with the 250 Indigenous nations, especially the use of Dreamtime (the artist being in a dream like state while creating). What’s fascinating about the exhibition is the inclusion of contemporary Aboriginal artist Brook Andrew, Destiny Deacon, and Betty Muffler, giving a more complete picture of the aboriginal art through time.
From ochre bark paintings and experimental weavings to immersive sound and video art and powerful photographs you’ll get a full understanding of Indigenous Australian art in this once in a lifetime exhibition.
Don’t miss the National Gallery of Arts special exhibitions in 2025
The National Gallery of Art, included in the top 100 galleries in the world, is a must-see on your visit to Washington DC. With its diverse range of exhibits showcasing both classic and contemporary art, the National Gallery of Art is offering an exciting lineup of exhibitions in 2025 that are sure to captivate visitors of all interests.
From the powerful works of Elizabeth Catlett, the breathtaking Corcoran collection watercolors, and the immersive Australian Indigenous art collection, these exhibitions are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore innovative and thought-provoking art. Whether you're drawn to the beauty of nature, the strength of social movements, or the intricate world of abstract expressionism, the National Gallery promises an enriching experience. Be sure to plan your visit to Washington DC, and witness these extraordinary displays before they leave!
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