Hirshhorn Museum

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden of the Smithsonian Institution invites you to explore its galleries and garden and participate in its programs. You may be dazzled or troubled by what's on view, but we don't think you'll be bored. Art, especially new art, can evoke powerful responses.

The museum is named after the American collector of modern art Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981). His gifts and bequest to the nation of nearly 12,000 works form the core of this dynamic art collection. Open since 1974, the Hirshhorn keeps current through changing exhibitions and frequent acquisitions, which include gifts from many donors. Research, publications, interpretive programs, films, and community outreach generate an informed awareness and lively dialogue about modern and contemporary art.

Nov 2008, Photo 74

Hirshhorn Gallery

Nov 2008, Photo 414

Hirshhorn Museum

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an art museum beside the National Mall. The museum was initially endowed during the 1960s with the permanent art collection of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. It was designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft and is part of the Smithsonian Institution. It was conceived as the United States' museum of contemporary and modern art and currently focuses its collection-building and exhibition-planning mainly on the post–World War II period, with particular emphasis on art made during the last 50 years.

Nov 2016, Photo 427