Established in 1938 by the United States Congress, The National Gallery of Art (NGA) preserves, collects, and exhibits various works of art. It also endeavors towards creating understanding of different forms of art. Various policies and procedures are included in the gallery’s bylaws and guidelines in order to ensure the complete care of the art works in the museum.

“Funded” by art collections from Andrew J. Rosenwald, Samuel Henry Kress, and Joseph E. Widener, the art museum has one of the world’s finest and most extensive Western painting and sculpture collections.

Various American and European paintings, sculpture, photography, and works on paper are displayed in the museum. These collections are found in the museum’s collection galleries and Sculpture Garden.

Supported by a private-public partnership, the National Gallery of Art is part of the United States’ Smithsonian “affiliate museums.” Because it is ably funded, the gallery charges no entrance fees, or any fee of a particular kind. Private donations also help ensure that the finest art collections receive proper care and protection.

Some of the permanent collections in the NGA include those masterfully executed by Raphael, Boticelli, Titian, da Vinci, El Greco, Rembrandt, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gaugin, Cezanne, and Matisse.

Aside from these artistic showcases and collections, the NGA also organizes scholarly and scientific researches as well as educational outreach programs.

David E. Finley, Jr., John Walker, and J. Carter Brown all served as NGA director at one point in their lives. The museum’s current director is Earl A. Powell III.

Learn more about other museums on the Museums in Bloom site.

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