The American art museum landscape is full of interesting projects worth visiting in 2026. If you’re seeking new creative experiences this year, our strong recommendation is the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC. It is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive modern and contemporary art museums in the United States, holding an extensive collection of art.

History of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

The Hirshhorn was founded by Joseph H. Hirshhorn, an avid art collector and financier from Latvia. Hirshhorn compiled one of the largest collections of art by the middle of the 20th century, with his primary interest in sculpture and works by living artists. His 1966 donation of 6,000+ art pieces to the United States laid the foundation of the Smithsonian Museum. The Hirshhorn’s building opened in 1974, representing a symbolic circular setup that invites introspection and reflects the idea of a museum within a museum.

Gems of the Art Museum

Joseph Hirshhorn prioritized postwar and contemporary art in his collecting activities. The museum features many sculptural works and large-scale installations, including masterpieces by Auguste Rodin, Yayoi Kusama, Louise Bourgeois, and Ai Weiwei. The number of paintings, rare photos, and performance-based practice recordings is also impressive.

A notable feature of the Hirshhorn is its emphasis on the representation of creative experiments and a search for new modes of expression at the expense of the exposition’s historical breadth. The art museum frequently holds rotating exhibitions that amplify the voices of underrepresented creatives, thus building its reputation as a forward-looking institution with a focus on emerging artist support.

The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden

A special word needs to be said about the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, a unique outdoor extension of the museum’s exhibition display. This solution lets visitors explore large-scale sculptural art in open spaces, making them a part of the natural landscape. Here, one can explore the art of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Auguste Rodin, and Yoko Ono, among other famous artists. By viewing art in the open nature, both newbies and seasoned art connoisseurs receive fundamentally different contemplative experiences unattainable in closed gallery or museum settings.

As of 2026, the Hirshhorn stands out as an ambitious, immersive art project with a strong focus on the relevant social, political, and cultural issues. The museum can be attended free of charge, giving everyone an equal chance to embrace modern and contemporary art and become a part of global culture.