Last updated: 7/21/2015
Washington, District of Columbia
Street Address
201 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Mailing Address
1889 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
phone: 202-370-0147
e-mail: gsvitil@oas.org
web: www.museum.oas.org

Hours

Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admissions

free

Free

Museum Type(s)

Art

Staff

Andres Navia
phone: 202-370-0148
Jon Goldman
phone: 202-370-0146
Gregory Svitil
phone: 202-370-0147
Fabian Goncalves Borrega
phone: 202-370-0151
Adriana Ospina
phone: 202-370-0149
María Leyva
phone:
Charo Marroquín
phone:
e-mail:
Lionel Nájera
phone:
e-mail:
Juan Carlos Oyarzún
phone:
e-mail:
Adam De Boer
phone: 202-458-6022
History

The Art Museum of the Americas of the Organization of American States was established in 1976 by resolution of the OAS Permanent Council in tribute to the two-hundredth anniversary of the independence of the United States, host country of the OAS. The historic building housing the Museum was designed by noted architect Paul Cret in 1912 as the residence for the Secretaries General of the Organization of American States. It is Spanish colonial in style with white walls, iron grilles, a red tiled roof and a loggia decorated with richly colored tiles in patterns modeled after Aztec and Inca legends. Today as a Museum, the building provides a warm and intimate atmosphere to enjoy art.

Artifact Collections
ABOUT THE COLLECTION

The history of the permanent collection of the Art Museum of the Americas has roots in the former Visual Arts Unit of the Organization of American States. Under this unit, the first donation of art was received in 1949, a gift of painting by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari. In 1957 the OAS Permanent Council conferred institutional backing to the collection by establishing a modest Purchase Fund to support the acquisition of art for a collection that was to reflect the contemporary art of the member nations of the OAS to form an enduring cultural resource. Purchases made by the Visual Arts Unit were strongly linked to and influenced by the direction of its exhibition program, and a significant number of works were acquired directly from the artists on the occasion of a temporary exhibit at the OAS Gallery. In many cases, an OAS exhibition represented the artist's first individual exhibit outside of his/her country of origin.

When the museum officially opened in 1976, the collection numbered 250 works. Today, the collection has grown to close to 2000 objects in varying media including painting, sculpture, installations, prints, drawings and photographs. It reflects the rich diversity of artistic expression found in the region and provides an overview of stylistic and iconographic trends beginning in the early 20th-century. Exhibitions from the collection are regularly presented in the museum and works from the collection are loaned to other cultural institutions for special exhibitions. The museum’s extensive art archives complements the art collection and is an important research resource for documentation. Both collections serve to preserve a unique visual and written record of the artistic achievements of artists of the Americas and their contributions to world art.

Building a strong permanent collection, which reflects current directions in the art as well as those historical movements most important for present and future generations continues to be the mission. Today's collection provides a rich framework for future growth.

Educational Programs

Following our mission to interconnect, promote, and create a positive impact on the people and cultures of the western hemisphere, AMA | ART MUSEUM of the AMERICAS provides a range of educational and outreach activities, providing an engaging, educational, and fun service for the community.

This program includes lectures, seminars, children workshops, film programs, tours related to current exhibitions as well as other cultural events.

Create a piñata, a corn husk doll, or a carnival mask! Make a friendship bracelet or cast your own hand! We offer many different workshops for children of all ages ranging from ages 5 through 15.

School groups, as well as other community groups, from 8-20 participants are invited to schedule an appointment for a workshop between Tuesdays and Fridays. Workshops cost only $10 per participant to cover art project materials.

Library
Archives

AMA's archives are devoted to the collection and preservation of papers and other records related to the art and artists of the Americas with particular focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. Initiated in the early 1940s, the archives complement the museum's permanent art collection and serve as a central clearing-house for information on a broad geographical region. The exhibition catalogs, announcements, exhibition records, photographs, letters, news clippings, art periodicals, and other types of documents that make up the collection provide a rich research resource for students and scholars.

Access:
Appointment required: No
Exhibitions
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025

Westgate Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hosted by: Public Lands Alliance

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues. The 2025 Convention and Trade Show will take place Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV

Connect with peers, explore the latest in public lands products, and return inspired with new strategies and resources for success in conservation and visitor engagement

Our annual Convention and Trade Show (PLA) is the premier gathering for leaders in the public lands sector to network, gain essential tools, and explore products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts.

For more information, please call 301-946-9475.

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

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