NASAA Assembly 2026 Home Page | REGISTER | Hotel, Travel & Locations | Why Attend NASAA Assembly 2026? | Agenda | Peer Groups | Artistic Opportunities in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., offers a dynamic arts and culture landscape that adds texture, inspiration and a strong sense of place to this year’s convening. The Assembly hotel is positioned in the heart of downtown, with direct access to Metro Center and easy walking access to museums, theatres, galleries and public spaces.

Engaging with Washington, D.C.’s arts and cultural offerings can deepen the overall conference experience—providing space for reflection, strengthening peer connections and grounding conversations in lived artistic experience. These opportunities are not separate from the work; they are an extension of it, helping to connect ideas to place, practice and community.

From major national collections and historic performance venues to contemporary art and creative neighborhoods, D.C. makes it easy to build artistic experiences into the rhythm of your visit.

Within Walking Distance

Art & Museums

• Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery – These companion museums offer a powerful exploration of American identity, creativity and leadership through art and portraiture. The shared Kogod Courtyard provides a welcoming space for informal gathering and conversation, making it a natural extension of conference dialogue.
• Planet Word – An interactive museum dedicated to language and communication, Planet Word invites visitors to engage with storytelling, voice and expression. Its focus on how we communicate ideas resonates strongly with the work of public-sector leaders and cultural practitioners.
• National Museum of Women in the Arts – This museum offers a focused and compelling lens on equity and representation in the arts, highlighting the contributions of women artists across time. It provides an opportunity to engage with critical perspectives that align with many current conversations in the field.

Performing Arts

• Ford’s Theatre – A site of both history and live performance, Ford’s Theatre offers a space to reflect on the intersection of storytelling, civic life and cultural memory. Experiencing a performance here can deepen conversations around the role of the arts in public life.
• Shakespeare Theatre Company – Known for high-quality productions, STC’s two venues offer access to world-class performances in thoughtfully designed settings—an excellent option for shared artistic experience among attendees.

Historic District & Public Spaces

• Penn Quarter / Downtown Arts Corridor – This walkable district brings together museums, theatres, restaurants and public spaces in a way that supports spontaneous exploration and connection. It offers an accessible environment for attendees to experience the city together in between formal sessions.

Farther Afield

Atrium of the East Building, National Gallery of Art

• Renwick Gallery – With a focus on craft and contemporary practice, the Renwick offers insight into material, process and innovation. Its exhibitions often spark conversation around creativity, design and interdisciplinary thinking.
• National Gallery of Art – One of the nation’s premier art institutions, the National Gallery provides a broad view of artistic achievement across time and cultures. It offers both inspiration and space for reflection, whether experienced individually or as part of a group outing.
• Arena Stage – A leader in producing American work, Arena Stage provides an opportunity to engage with contemporary storytelling that reflects diverse voices and experiences—an important complement to conversations happening within the conference.
• The Wharf and The Anthem – This waterfront area offers a more contemporary cultural experience, combining live music, public space and dining. It can serve as a relaxed setting for informal networking and shared experiences outside of structured programming.
• Rubell Museum DC – Showcasing bold contemporary work, the Rubell Museum offers exposure to current artistic practice and ideas. It provides a different lens on Washington’s arts ecosystem and can prompt new ways of thinking about audience, access and artistic expression.