National Gallery Of Art Closed Due To Federal Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the federal government shutdown stretches into week 2, one popular tourist destination has now closed because of the lack of funding.

The National Gallery of Art is temporarily closed and all programs are canceled until further notice, the facility posted on its website.

Nearly four million visit the gallery each year to see a collection that includes nearly 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.

U.S. House of Representatives is not in session this week. Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled sessions, with lawmakers not expected to meet again until Oct. 16.

The move came after the Senate voted a fourth time Friday to reject a House-passed continuing resolution that would extend federal funding through Nov. 21, Politico reported.

So far, Smithsonian Institution museums and the National Zoo remain open. The Smithsonian says: "Our museums, research centers, and the National Zoo are open today, and will remain open through Saturday, October 11. If the government shutdown continues past October 11, the Smithsonian will then close to the public."

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That includes the African American History and Culture Museum, the Air and Space Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum and the Portrait Gallery in D.C.

The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum complex, with 17 museums and its zoo located in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as two museums in New York City.