Entry No. 2 — the Washington, D.C. file — filed under: outsider art

American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM)

Congress named this the official national museum of outsider/visionary art — self-taught artists, no MFAs, no art-world pedigree. Outside sits Vollis Simpson's 55-foot kinetic whirligig; inside, Leonard Knight's Love Balloon and 40+ mechanical automata from London's Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. The 2004 Jim Rouse Visionary Center wing occupies a converted 19th-century whiskey warehouse (the main galleries are purpose-built).

The move: Walk the current mega-exhibition together (themed shows like 'Wind in My Hair' or 'High on Life'), then wander the outdoor Wildflower Garden and Tall Sculpture Barn before catching a summer outdoor film at the Hughes Family Outdoor Theater.

• 📍 Federal Hill, Baltimore, MD
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia

last checked: 2026-07-19