A Neighborhood
Born From The Arts & Culture

Southwest is made to inspire.

The neighborhood’s northern edge is lined with Smithsonian museums and other cultural institutions. The Tony-award winning theater, Arena Stage, has called Southwest home since 1960. Westminster Church hosts weekly jazz and blues performances. CultureHouse D.C. brings out-of-the-box art exhibits to the community. Community outdoor markets bring local musicians to the heart of the neighborhood weekly during the warmer months.

The International Spy Museum, The Museum of
the Bible, ARTECHOUSE, and the Rubell
Museum, housed in the long-vacant Randall
School, bring arts and culture to all corners of
the neighborhood — inspiring, educating, and
entertaining locals and visitors alike.

Museums

  • International Spy Museum

    The International Spy Museum is an independent non-profit history museum that documents the tradecraft, history, and contemporary role of espionage. It holds the largest collection of international espionage artifacts on public display.

  • Museum of the Bible

    The Museum of the Bible is a museum in Washington, DC, owned by Museum of the Bible, Inc., a non-profit organization established in 2010. The museum documents the narrative, history, and impact of the Bible.

  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the United States’ official memorial to the Holocaust. Adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, DC, the USHMM provides for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history.

  • Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater

    Arena Stage has a steadfast commitment to showcasing American artists and their distinctive voices, bringing to life innovative and thought-provoking productions that reflect the rich diversity of stories from across the country.

  • ARTECHOUSE

    ARTECHOUSE expands the possibilities of art and how we experience it through cutting-edge technology-driven exhibitions and experiences. They connect progressive ideas, artists, and audiences to stimulate innovation and creativity at the intersection of art, science, and technology.

  • Culture House DC (Blind Whino)

    Community arts, exhibition & private events venue in a brightly-painted former church building.

  • The Anthem

    The Anthem is a 6000-person music venue and auditorium on the Southwest Waterfront. The venue opened on October 12, 2017, with a performance opened by The Struts and headlined by the Foo Fighters. The Anthem is part of The Wharf, a comprehensive development of the Southwest Waterfront area.

  • Pearl Street Warehouse

    Classic breakfast & diner fare, bar bites, craft brews & cocktails in an intimate live music space.

  • Rubell Museum

    The Rubell Museum DC brings the Rubell Family’s extensive contemporary art collection to the nation’s capital. The collection is distinguished by its unprecedented range and depth that has enabled the Museum to organize over 50 exhibitions during the last three decades drawn entirely from its holdings in painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation.

Neighborhood
Arts & Culture

  • The Wharf

    The Wharf offers many different types of event spaces, from hotels to piers, to parks to concert halls — and beautiful waterfront views.

  • L’Enfant Plaza

    L’Enfant Plaza showcases a stunning three-story glass gateway entrance, an outdoor square, more retail, and enhanced office space two blocks from the National Mall.

Event Spaces

  • Arena Stage – The Mead
    Center for Performing Arts

    Located across from the Southwest DC Waterfront, with soaring glass walls, stunning architecture and metro accessibility make this 15,000 sq. foot venue unique and elegant.

  • CultureHouse
    (formerly Blind Whino)

    Funky and fun. Originally a church built in 1886, the exterior of this space was re-envisioned into what it is today by the artist HENSE in 2012. CULTUREHOUSE has over 15,000 SF of programmable space, including bars, art galleries and two stages.

  • The Wharf

    The Wharf offers many different types of event spaces, from hotels, to piers, to parks to concert halls – and beautiful waterfront views. Visit their website for more details.

  • The International
    Spy Museum

    The newly relocated International Spy Museum at L’Enfant Plaza offers private event spaces with panoramic views of the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Potomac River. The contemporary space is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

  • The Lot at 4th and M

    The Lot SW is a 19,000 SF temporary public gathering space located directly across the street from Waterfront Metro Station.  The Lot is centrally located in the neighborhood, with a grocery store, library and several restaurants, all within walking distance.  If you are interested in having an event at the Lot SW, email us.

  • Museum of the Bible

    With grand spaces and gourmet dining options, there is no place quite like the Museum of the Bible for private functions and after-hours events. Whether for 4 or 400, we offer a wide range of event spaces that are comfortable, high-tech, and exquisitely designed. Visit their website for more details.