Art in DC
 

Aside from National Gallery, what museums, exhibits are in Washington for visual arts. Any contemporary art, sculpture gardens, etc.

Aside from the Smithsonian?

http://www.museumspot.com/cities/dc.htm

The Museum of American Art/Portrait Gallery is a must see. I am also a big fan of the Hirshorn. The sculpture Garden outside the National Gallery is one of the best.

Outside of the Smithsonian/Mall world is the Corcoran Gallery and the Phillips Collection both have excellent collections.

We enjoyed the Corcoran Gallery.

I second MikeT- we were at the Museum of American Art/Portrait Gallery last Sunday. We were on a schedule but could have spent alot longer there, very well done. esp liked the contemporary exhibits, the Folk Art and 3rd floor Mezzanine. The Phillips- (not free but walking distance from Dupont metro) has beautiful Impressionist exhibits.
The sculture garden has music At 5pm on Friday nights

http://www.nga.gov/programs/jazz.shtm

Thanks. College art student son will be joining my husband in DC next week - have already done Smithsonian - of course never are "done" with any of the Museums of Smithsonian - but know they will appreciate this info.

also agree with Mike T!

My favorite undiscovered treasure is the Art Museum of the Americas.

http://www.museum.oas.org/

You can get a flavor of the paintings in the "virtual gallery" above.

A bonus for the tourist is its location close to the Vietnam Memorial, Washington Monument and White House.

Another vote for the Phillips Collection, which is fantastic.

http://www.phillipscollection.org/

I enjoyed the Freer and Sackler galleries.
http://www.asia.si.edu/

Hirshorn (has a small sculpture garden), Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum, Corcoran, Phillips Collection.

I don't know what's there now, but last year we loved the exhibits at the National Geographic museum. One was exquisite kimonos, the other incredible photography from a Pacific atoll.

Your son might particularly like the Corcoran because it is connected to the well-regard Corcoran College of Art and Design.