Sackler Gallery

The Sackler Gallery joins the Freer Gallery of Art to form the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art for the United States of America.

185-150554797 Sackler Gallery Buddha Head.
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In late-2019, the Smithsonian rebranded the Freer Gallery and Sackler Gallery as a unified National Museum of Asian Art.

The Smithsonian Institution is very strong is several areas. Asian art is one of them, thanks to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art.

The Smithsonian Sackler Gallery was originally opened in 1987 as a distinct gallery built on a foundation of an initial gift of about 1,000 works of Asian art by Arthur M. Sackler. Since then, it has merged with the Freer Gallery of Art to form the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art for the United States of America.

The Sackler Gallery is almost entirely underground, just opposite the National Museum of African Art. It sits under the Enid A. Haupf garden in the Quadrangle behind the Smithsonian Castle.

Photos of the Sackler Gallery

185-140342746 Sackler Gallery Building with Sign.185-141900756 Sackler Gallery Shiva Bronze Statue.185-144941791 Sackler Gallery Late Eastern Zhou and Han Dynasties Gallery.185-144509782 Sackler Gallery Chinese Bronze Bells.185-144828788 Sackler Gallery Chinese Art Gallery.185-150338794 Sackler Gallery Central Atrium.185-144603784 Sackler Gallery Six Chinese Bronze Bells.185-144357781 Sackler Gallery Crypt Guardians.185-140457748 Sackler Gallery Entrance with Flowers.185-144301778 Sackler Gallery Daoist Stela.185-144152775 Sackler Gallery Quing Dynasty Seals.185-141342754 Sackler Gallery Hindu Statues.185-143656770 Sackler Gallery Chinese Art and Furniture.185-143259765 Sackler Gallery Pathian Wine Horns.185-140551750 Sackler Gallery Entrance.Persian exhibit Sackler Gallery185-142210760 Sackler Gallery Vishnu Hindu Statue.

Getting to the Smithsonian’s Sackler Gallery

The Sackler Gallery is next to the Smithsonian Castle. From the National Mall, go just to the right of the Castle. There’s another entrance on Independence Avenue just to the left of the Enid A. Haupf Garden, next to the Moongate Garden.

The closest metro stop is Smithsonian (Orange and Blue lines); L’Enfant Place (Orange, Blue, Yellow, and Green lines) is only a couple of blocks away. Depending on day of the week and time of day, there’s some on-street parking, but it’s probably best not to count on it.

1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560

Taking Photos at the Sackler Gallery

Personal photography is generally allowed, although there are some exhibits were photos are not permitted. Tripods are not allowed for the usual safety reasons.

Some of the exhibits are a little dark for comfortable hand-held photography, so you will likely need to bump up the ISO.

Commercial shoots and filming require permission.

Official Website

Freer | Sackler – The Smithsonian’s Museums of Asian Art

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