The Gallery's East Building, located on land set aside in the original Congressional resolution, was opened in 1978. It accommodates the Gallery's growing collections and expanded exhibition schedule and houses an advanced research center, administrative offices, a great library, and a burgeoning collection of drawings and prints. The building was accepted for the nation on June 1, 1978, by President Jimmy
Carter. Funds for construction were given by Paul Mellon and the late Ailsa Mellon Bruce, the son and daughter of the founder, and by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
On May 23, 1999 the Gallery opened an outdoor sculpture garden designed to offer year-round enjoyment to the public. Located in the 6.1-acre block adjacent to the West Building at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., the garden provides an informal, yet elegant setting for works of modern and contemporary sculpture.
The Collectors Committee, an advisory group of private citizens, has made it possible to acquire paintings and sculpture of the twentieth century. Key works of art have also come to the Gallery through the Patrons' Permanent Fund. In addition, members of the Circle of the National Gallery of Art have provided funds for many special programs and projects. The Sculpture Garden is a gift to the nation from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundatio
The dynamic combination of public and private support has made possible the achievements and accomplishments of the National Gallery of Art. Since its founding, federal funds ensure the operation and maintenance and the protection and care of the nation's art collection, enabling the Gallery to remain open 363 days a year at no charge to visitors. Private donations from generous individuals, foundations, and corporations have paid for every work of art in the collections and for the primary activities of the Gallery: art acquisition and conservation, scholarly and scientific research, exhibitions, and educational outreach programs. There are numerous opportunities for supporting the work of the National Gallery of Art, both now and in the future.
Admission is always free.
Gallery Location:
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, located on the National Mall at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, is bounded by Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive and by 7th and 9th Streets NW.
Location Address
4th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Mailing Address
2000B South Club Drive, Landover, MD 20785
Exhibition and General Information
For information call (202) 737-4215 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (202) 842-6176.
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