The National Museum of African Art was established in 1964 and became part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1979. It houses a wide range of ancient and contemporary art from Africa, and features a permanent collection of over 8500 works from all artistic genres including paintings, textiles, ceramics, furniture, tools masks, figures, musical instruments, and jewelry.
The museum contains the largest publicly-owned collection of contemporary African art. Among collection highlights is the massive Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, which includes 300,000 photographic prints and transparencies and 120,000 feet of film on African arts and culture over the last 120 years. Elisofon was an internationally known photographer and filmmaker who recorded African life from 1947 to his death in 1973.
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- 10am to 5:30pm daily
- Admission:
- Free
- Metro Stop:
- Blueline or Orangeline to the Smithsonian Station
- Contact:
- Location: 950 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington DC
- Phone: 202-633-4600
- Website: www.africa.si.edu
