The DC Alley Museum is a “neat” place on a surface level. If I had a job in the small business community it was located in, it would be a cool place to hang around during break hours. But that is it. It is hardly a museum and clearly exists for money. Although actual museums do suffer from the same profitization of art that this “museum” does, this place is an exaggeration of it. The place itself has a very superficial, shallow feeling to it. There are few art pieces. The few of them that there are seemingly have little maintenance and care done to their preservation. Their only protection seems to be security cameras hanging above these paintings which you just have to walk into an alleyway to experience. While the murals are well-crafted, they all have this shallow progressive theme to them. A good example is its “LOVE” mural. The “LOVE” mural is a simple painting of rainbow-colored rectangles on garage doors spelling out the word “LOVE.” The “LOVE” mural is obviously there to promote queer inclusiveness and respect, but is not very profound, new, nor thought-provoking in doing so. I wish I could call this “LOVE” mural by its actual artwork title, but none is listed; in fact, every piece has little to no information or context provided to them. This reveals the lack of serious commitment that a true museum should have. The “museum” is obviously there just for profit. It’s there to raise the land value of the surrounding business buildings. Being next to something listed as a museum would do this. Also, by listing itself as a museum, it shows up as one on tourism registries next to actual ones like the Smithsonians, increasing the number of people who visit and fall for this clear tourist trap. The profitization also shows in the shallow artwork. As Hito Steyerl pointed out in her essay “Politics of Art: Contemporary Art and the Transition to Post-Democracy,” the increasingly neoliberal and profit-driven world reduces the quality of artwork to shallow pieces which offer no real profoundness to them.1 Although, actual museums rely on profit incentives too. Since the 80’s, museums everywhere in America have had to rely on donations from the wealthy and from corporations. This is because of the Reagan-era reforms that greatly slashed the amount of money the government was putting into the arts.2 This raised concerning problems for the world of art and museums, and how our own public culture is shaped and represented. Before the neoliberal reforms of the 80’s, the government used to be more involved in art. As John F. Kennedy said on the matter: “Government can never take on the role of patronage and support filled by private individuals and groups in our society. But government surely has a significant part to play in helping establish the conditions under which art can flourish.”.3 I agree with JFK. There needs to be a balance of how much private individuals and groups can influence art and how much the public can influence art. Otherwise, when you have very profit-driven museum scenes, you end up with the DC Alley “Museum.” ______ 1Hito Steyerl, “Politics of Art: Contemporary Art and the Transition to Post-Democracy,” e-flux, December 2010. 2吳金桃 Chin-tao Wu, "Embracing the Enterprise Culture: Art Institutions Since the 1980s." New Left Review, Summer 1998. pp 28-29 3Cher Krause Knight, "A Short History of Official Public Art." Public Art: Theory, Practice, Populism. (Blackwell: 2008); pg 1

For tourists and travellers: This is not an actual museum. It's known in DC as "Blagden Alley", and I don't know how it got to be called a museum. It's good for taking pictures, so you don't really need more than a few minutes here.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

It’s hot outside so bring water and a fan if you need one. The art is pretty and straightforward. You’ll see lots of artwork all around this area. Great for photo ops.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
Free

DC Alley Museum is so cool. I love the beautiful murals in the alley. There are restaurants there too. The museum art exhibit that I saw featured some Chicago Jazz musicians. It was nice to see Chicago Jazz highlighted during the DC Jazz Festival.

Nothing crazy. If you have time to spend you can go for 5 min to take a picture
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Awesome neighborhood with great art. Definitely needs some new art work. Nothing was open when we went by (around 4pm) but it was nice being able to photograph everything with no one there.

Lovely little mural gallery. It was near our hotel so we actually came here twice.
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Nice tucked away area with murals and a few small restaurants. Lots of people taking photos...Nice art work and hope to see more. It’s worth checking out if you are nearby.

Cool displays had a good time taking photos
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

Best place to take professional and amateur pics in DC! Parking is a pain during the day so use a parking app but otherwise it's worth a visit with a camera

This place is just like the pictures. There isn't much around this
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
Free

Beautiful place to take pictures. There's a few mural over there which we really enjoyed. Macy Gray was my favorite my daughter loved it ❤

Really dope
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

Really cool alley way that's hidden. I enjoyed strolling through and admiring the murals of local artists. Please continue!

Check out art installations, and grab a cup of coffee a drink or a meal at any of the restaurants close by.

Cute little nook in downtown DC. Worth a quick walkthrough and there's a bar nearby to grab a drink after.

Some good murals to take photos of. Only nine or ten—certainly not a destination to plan a day around.

This alley is incredible. So much art and culture and it open to the public and in a fantastic space.

Wasnt as big as we thought, cars where constantly driving through the streets. But the art was good.

I love street art, this alley only has a few murals, so much potential to exploit more street art.

The Alley area is cool, great place for a walk. I'm unclear what the museum involves actually

Beautiful murals. Was here for the Pride Parade and just had to visit this place.

This place is so dope. We did a whole photoshoot here. Definitely worth going

One of the greatest backdrops in DC perfect for a portrait or a photoshoot.

Beautiful place where you can admire the art by free in our beautiful DC.

Great art and fun bars in the area to have a drink at and relax in after

It was amazing I am from Michigan and I truly enjoyed the selfie Museum

Great area for photos! Fairly private. My niece enjoyed her photoshoot.

Even if the alley murals aren't a lot, some are really worth seeing.

Don’t go out of your way to see the murals. Sadly underwhelming.

Not really a museum. It's just paintings on the building walls.

Worth a look and visits to the neighboring bars or restaurants

Nice wall paintings. Only takes about 20mins to walkthrough.

It was closed in open hours ,poorly organized no management

Very cool to see DC street Art up close and personal

Cool alleyway with some interesting art And murals.

Beautiful selfish places..... amazing murals

Beautiful!!! Great backdrop for pics …

Beautiful. Definitely worth the visit.

Loved this outdoor art experience.

A lot of interesting street art

Beautiful!! True and real art!

Good place to create content

Super leuk maar wel klein.

Fells unsafe in daylight.

Get lifted by art here .

Kinda disappointing

Beautiful wall art

Gorgeous new spot!

grrat art work.

Far out

Lindo