Washington, D.C., museums are currently hosting a wide array of special exhibitions spanning art, history, culture, and science, with many venues offering free admission. These exhibitions showcase diverse themes, ranging from historical retrospectives to contemporary art installations, reflecting the city’s rich cultural landscape.

The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center features several summer exhibitions, including works by A. Brociek, Timothy Makepeace, Janis Goodman, Susan Goldman, Bonnie Lautenberg, Richard Dana, and Gail Rebhan. Meanwhile, the Anacostia Community Museum continues its “We Make History” exhibit through January 2028, highlighting community narratives across the United States.

The Arts and Industries Building, temporarily reopened for the traveling exhibition "Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America," presents an interactive look at civic participation and representation until September 7. The Capital Jewish Museum is displaying "Blacklisted: An American Story," exploring the Red Scare and Hollywood blacklist through film, personal narratives, and artifacts, also running until September 7.

Several institutions are spotlighting American history and culture. The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum offers “Revolution in Their Words,” an exploration of the struggle for independence, through March. The George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum presents two related exhibitions, “Generations D.C.” and “Revolutionary Echoes in Washington,” that explore the city’s social and political history through November 7.

Art exhibitions range widely, with the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden featuring "Basquiat × Banksy" until September 7—the first display of works by either artist at the museum—alongside other shows including “Revolutions: Art From the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860-1960,” and “Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen.” The National Gallery of Art presents multiple ongoing exhibits, such as “Mary Cassatt: An American in Paris” through August 30 and “American Icon: The US Flag in Art” until December 6.

Cultural and community-focused exhibitions are also prominent. The National Museum of African American History and Culture continues its “Reckoning: Protest, Defiance, Resilience” exhibit centered on the Black Lives Matter movement and related art. The National Museum of African Art includes displays on LGBTQ+ African artists and the Benin Bronzes, which remain on loan from Nigeria.

Other notable exhibitions include “Dead Sea Scrolls” at the Museum of the Bible through September, “The Declaration’s Promise: A Revolutionary Idea” at the Library of Congress through 2027, and “Photo Ark: Animals of Earth” at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration.

Science and natural history venues feature long-term exhibitions such as “Imagining Bison” and “Cellphone: Unseen Connections” at the National Museum of Natural History, both running into 2027 and 2028. The National Museum of Women in the Arts displays works spanning several decades, while the National Portrait Gallery is presenting portraits of contemporary figures, including honorees like Steven Spielberg and Temple Grandin.

These exhibitions offer a broad spectrum of educational and cultural experiences across the city, reflecting ongoing efforts to engage the public in history, art, and societal dialogue through immersive and thoughtful presentations. Visitors are encouraged to consult individual museum websites for full details on schedules, admission, and additional ongoing exhibits.