This Southwest museum is not shutting down

D.C. tourists are adding a Southwest museum to their travel itineraries while the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art remain temporarily closed due to the federal government shutdown.

The D.C. Rubell Museum is a Southwest institution that will welcome guests while Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art remain closed as the third week of the shutdown starts.

The Rubell continues to operate blocks away from the National Mall because it is not federally funded, allowing residents and guests to view and learn new viewpoints on art, history and culture.

Smithsonian shutdown

The Smithsonian Institution released a statement two days after the government shutdown Oct. 1, informing guests that museums would use prior-year funds to remain open to the public for one week.

As the shutdown lingered, the Smithsonian closed the doors of all its museums Oct. 12.

The National Gallery of Art closed Oct. 4 due to the pause in federal funding.

This leaves D.C. tourists and residents without informative exhibits found at museums such as the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History.

School trips to the Smithsonian are starting to look different as students can’t access museums that provide valuable information about science, history, and art.

Tiffany Jones, a Virginia math teacher, said that her seventh grade students would not be visiting exhibits that would support their curriculum on the school’s annual field trip to the Smithsonian.

The Northern Virginia school instead planned an advisory day filled with scavenger hunts around the National Mall.

The field trip is the only opportunity in the academic year for the school to bring students to the Smithsonian.

Jones said that the Smithsonian’s closure has changed her students’ opportunity.

“So, their experience is not rich. It’s not as in-depth,” Jones said. “We don’t have a lot of discussions about the random things that you see.”

Jones told The Wash the Smithsonian’s closure limits the students and the experience the school wanted them to have.

Jones said also that the hardest thing outside of planning around the closure is finding accommodations for students, like restrooms and water fountains.

A day planned to expand on the students’ Civil Rights Movement unit by visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture has turned into one of Jones warning students not to feed pigeons.

The Smithsonian Institution’s closure could have an impact on the experience of tourists who scheduled visits to D.C. months in advance.

Alex Leveto and Jenna Christopher, Houston tourists, said that it “definitely sucks” the government shutdown is impacting the Smithsonian.

Christopher said she and Leveto are fans of science and were looking forward to visiting the National Air and Space Museum.

“Definitely wish we could have seen them,” Leveto said. “It’s been years since we’ve been here, so we’re still enjoying walking around in general.”

The pair said they had discussed leaving D.C. because of the shutdown, ultimately staying to avoid rescheduling another flight.

Rubell remains open

The Rubell Museum is a non-profit organization continuing to operate during the shutdown.

The museum sits at 65 I St NW, blocks away from the National Mall and the Waterfront Metro Station.

While free for D.C. residents, it charges $15 for admission and is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Read more about the museum’s admissions on its website, rubellmuseum.org/dc.

This differs from the Smithsonian, which is free to everyone and usually is open every day except for Christmas.

The Rubell, which opened in 2022, currently is showcasing the Basil Kincaid: Spirit in the Gift and Material Witness exhibits, in addition to its regular collection.

The Rubell Museum could not comment on operations before deadline.

Sari Ylipulli, a Finnish tourist, was encouraged by a friend to visit the Rubell Museum for a day visit.

Ylipulli said that she originally planned to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture to expand her interest in the history of Black Americans.

“I was especially interested in the African American History Museum,” Ylipulli said. “So, very sad that it’s not open.”

Ylipulli said that, while she was in the museum, she was amazed at how beautiful and touching the artwork was.

Sculptures and wall pieces made of wood, pans, and steel line the walls of the Rubell Museum.

The Finnish tourist said that she was “exactly in the right place” in a room furnished with artwork by artists Josh Faught and Henry Taylor.

“It’s amazing, amazing what they can do,” Ylipulli said