# Smithsonian American Art Museum — Washington D.C., United States

> The Smithsonian American Art Museum (commonly known as SAAM) is a museum in Washington, D.C., part of the Smithsonian Institution. Together with its branch museum, the Renwick Gallery, SAAM holds one of the world's largest and most inclusive collections of art, from the colonial period to the present, made in the United States.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Daily: 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Admission: ✓ Free admission
- Free entry: Always free — no admission charge
- Address: 8th and G Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
- Time needed: 2 hours
- Official website: https://americanart.si.edu/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Nam June Paik's Electronic Superhighway — Nam June Paik · 1995
- Niagara — Frederic Edwin Church · 1857

## FAQ
**Is the Smithsonian American Art Museum free?**
Yes — like all Smithsonian Institution museums in Washington D.C., admission to SAAM is entirely free. No tickets or reservations are required for general entry. The museum is open daily 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM. The Renwick Gallery, SAAM's branch museum dedicated to craft and decorative arts, is also free and located near the White House.

**What is the most famous work in the SAAM collection?**
Among the most celebrated works are Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii (1995) by Nam June Paik — a monumental installation of 51 television monitors arranged in the shape of the US, with channels showing local TV from each state; Among the Sierra Nevada, California (1868) by Albert Bierstadt — a vast, luminous landscape of the American West; and the Kogod Courtyard itself, whose glass-and-steel canopy by Foster + Partners is one of Washington's finest interior spaces.

**What is the Kogod Courtyard at SAAM?**
The Kogod Courtyard is a stunning glass-canopied public atrium connecting the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, both housed in the same building — the historic Old Patent Office Building. The canopy, designed by Sir Norman Foster and Partners and opened in 2007, covers 33,767 square feet of courtyard space. It is free to visit, open to the public independently of museum hours, and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful indoor public spaces in Washington D.C.

**What is the difference between SAAM and the National Portrait Gallery?**
Both are housed in the same building (the Old Patent Office Building) and both are free Smithsonian museums, but they have distinct collections. SAAM focuses on American art of all media — painting, sculpture, photography, folk art, and contemporary work — spanning the colonial era to the present. The National Portrait Gallery focuses specifically on portraits of Americans who have shaped the nation's history: presidents, artists, scientists, activists, and athletes. Both can be visited in a single trip.

**How long does a visit to the Smithsonian American Art Museum take?**
SAAM occupies three floors of the Old Patent Office Building, with over 7,000 artists represented. A focused visit to the highlights — Paik's Electronic Superhighway, the Bierstadt landscapes, the Lunder Conservation Center (where visitors can watch conservators at work through glass), and the contemporary galleries — takes 1.5–2 hours. A thorough visit through the entire collection takes 3–4 hours.

**How long should I spend at Smithsonian American Art Museum?**
Plan 2 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/smithsonian-american-art/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.