#5WomenArtists Social Media Campaign Kicks Off With Museum Initiatives Worldwide

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#5WomenArtists Social Media Campaign Kicks Off With Museum Initiatives Worldwide

WASHINGTON, DC
/
March 01, 2019

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA)—the only major museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts—has returned its popular, award-winning #5WomenArtists social media campaign. Since 2016, the campaign has launched each March for Women’s History Month. To date, NMWA has galvanized more than 1,000 cultural institutions from seven continents and nearly 50 countries with the campaign, along with inspiring commerical galleries to take part.

#5WomenArtists increases the awareness of gender inequity in the art world by asking cultural organizations and individual social media users the question, “Can you name five women artists?” This year, the campaign is moving from raising awareness to inspiring action. NMWA is asking museums, galleries and other cultural institutions to publicly commit to actions that will help advance gender equity in the arts.

The Gallery of Tiffany Lamps at New-York Historical Society features work by Clara Driscoll (1861–1944), head of the Tiffany Studios Women’s Glass Cutting Department from 1892 to 1909. She has recently been revealed as the designer of many of the firm’s leaded glass shades. Driscoll and her staff, self-styled the “Tiffany Girls,” labored in anonymity, but were well compensated.

Among the hundreds of insitutions that have already committed to the campaign, Museo Guggenheim Bilbao will acquire a new work by a woman artist for its collection. The Tate pledges to dedicate 95% of its social media posts to women artists during Women's History Month. The North Carolina Museum of Art will add programming on women artists, acquire new works by women as part of its Matrons of the Arts initiative, and host a weekend of events, including a workshop with the Guerilla Girls.

A number of major museum exhibitions ahead feature women artists, including the Uffizi's monographic show of Kiki Smith. The National Gallery London will highlight Artemisia Gentileschi in 2020. The New-York Historical Society is planning exhibitions on women artists that tell the American story, including Betye Saar: Keepin’ It Clean (through May 27), the work of Clara Driscoll (1861–1944) in the Gallery of Tiffany Lamps (ongoing), along with installations and special events.

“The #5WomenArtists initiative is moving the needle forward when it comes to gender equity in the arts,” said NMWA Director Susan Fisher Sterling. “I am thrilled that so many organizations around the world are taking pledges to prioritize women artists all year long—not just during Women’s History Month.”