Art Museum of the Americas 201 18th St., NW

Washington, D.C./(202) 458-6016

Five galleries and an Aztec Garden display representative examples of 20th-century latin American and Caribbean art. Open Tuesday through Santurday, 10 a.m. to p.m.

B'nal B'rith Klutznick Museum 1640 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washingon, D.C./(202) 857-6583

Exhibited are over 400 pieces of jewish art spanning over twenty centuries, including 16th- and 17th- century Italian wedding contracts and a beautiful Italian Torah Binder from 1556. Open Sunday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Corcoran Gallert of Art New York Ave. and 17th St., NW, Washington. D.C./(202) 638-3211

American art from colonial times to the present, plus works by Dutch and Flemish masters and French impressionists, are features in the permanent collection and changing exhibits, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday, until9 p.m

DAR Museum 1776 D St., NW Washington, D.C./(202) 879-3254

The museum features 34 rooms decorated with period furnishings and a superb gallery of pre-1840 American decorative and fine arts, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m

Dumbarton Oaks 1703 32nd St., NW, Georgetown/(202) 338-8278

The museum, located on 10 acres of formal gardens, features a collection of pre-Columbian and Byzantine artworks, along with rare books. Open Tuesday through Sunday,2 to 5 p.m. The gardens are open daily, April through October,2 to 6 p.m.; until 5 p.m. inwinter.

Evans-Tibbs Collection 1910 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, D.C./(202) 234-8164

Located in the former home of Lillian Evans-Tibbs, the first black professional opera singer, this musseum exhibits a permanent collection of 19th- and 20th century African-American art as well as a widevariety of changing exhibits. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Folger Shakespeare Library 201 E. Capitol St., SE, Washington, D.C./ (202) 544-4600

The library offers guided tours of the exhibition hall, which contains a collection of rare books and manugh Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; most library facilities are closed to the public.

Library of Congress First St. and Independence Ave., SE, Washington, D.C./(202) 707-5000

Manuscripts, photographs and rare books, including a Gutenberg Bible, are on display in the exhibition halls. Guided tours, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibit areas open daily; call for hours.

Lincoln Museum 511 10th St., NW, Washington, D.C,/(202) 426-6924

The restored Ford,s Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinates contains a basement musem with exhibits and artifacts relating to the assassination and funeral and the trial of the conspirators. The house across the street, where Lincoln was carried after he was shot, is also open daily.9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call for theater hours.

National Archives Constitution Ave., NW, Between 7th and 9th Sts., Washington, D.C./(202) 501-5000

The archives building houses historic exhibits and more than three billion items preserved over the last 200 years, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Cill of Rights. Changing exhibits and special events are also featured. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., April through Labor Day;to 5:30 p.m.,the rest of the year. For tour informations, call 501-5205.

National Building Museum F St., between 4th and 5th Sts., NW, Washington,D.C./(202) 272-2448

"To Build A Bridge," an exhibit on the Brooklyn Bridge, is on display through 1993. Presentations, lectures, tours and special events celebrate America's building Heritage. Open Monday through through Saturday, 10 a.,. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, from non

National Gallery of Art Fourth St. and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C./(202) 737-4215

The permanent collection in the West Building features Eurepean and American paintings and sculpture, including Henry moore, Matisse, Picasso and the French impressionists. The East Building, designed by I.M. Pei, houses traveling exhibits. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

National Learning Center/Capital Children's Museum 800 3rd St., NE, Washington, D.C./(202) 543-8600

Young children will enjoy dressing up in Mexican costumes, visiting a fire station, or riding taxis and buses; older children can operate computers. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

National Museum of Woman in the Arts 1250 New York Ave.,NW Washington, D.C./(202)783-5000

Featured here are nearly 500 women artists from 28 different countries, ranging from the Renaissance to the present. Works by Georgia O'Keeffee,Mary Cassatt,Helen Frankenthaler and other noted woman artists are found in the permanent collection. The museum also features changing exhibits. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, from noon.

The Phillips Cpollection 1600 21st St., NW, Washington, D.C./(202)387-2151

The nation's first museum of modern art features works by Rothko,Klee, Arthures work by Rothko,Klee, Arthur Dove and Georgia O'keeffe, and a fine collection of French painters, including Daumier, Renoir and Bonnard. Classical music Sunday evenings at 5 p.m., September through May. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday,noon to 7 p.m.

Smithsonian Institution

The smithsonian, founded in 1846, is the world's largest complex of museums. Descriptions of the Institution's art museums follow; for information on the science and history museums and other facilities, please refer to the article on page 142. Museums are open daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. For visitor information on individual museums call (202)357-2020.

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 1050 Independence Ave., SW,Washington, D.C./(202)357-2700

The museum features art of Asia, from the shores of the Mediterranean to the islands of japan. Open daily, 10 a.m to 5:30 p.m.

Freer Gallery of Art Jefferson Drive and 12th St., SW, Washington, D.C./(202)357-2700

The outstanding permanent collection features Near Eastern, Indian, Chinese and Japanese art as well as works by American masters such as Sargent, Homer and Whistler. The gallery is closed for renovation until spring 1993.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Seventh St. and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C./(202)357-3235

A striking contemporary structure housing works from all over the world in all media. The sculpture garden features works by Rodin Matisse, Moore and others. Chang-ing exhibits are alse featured. Open dialy, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 National Museum of African Art 950 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C./(202)357-2700

This museum features over 6,000 pieces of African art in variety of media. The collection includes thousands of artworks, artifacts and the film and photo archives of photographer Eliot Elisofon. Open daily, 10 a.m to 5:30 p.m.

National Museum of American Art Eighth and G Sts., NW, Washington, D.C./(202)357-2700

The museum features more than 32,000 artworks, including painting, sculpture, filk art,photos, prints and drawing from the 18th century to the present. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m

National Portrait Gallery Eighth and F Sts., NW, Washington, D.C./(202) 357-2700

Trace the development of American history through portraits. Subjects range from Pocahontas to George Bush. Call for exhibitions and dates. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Renwick Gallery Pennsylcania Ave.at 17th St., NW, Washington, D.C./(202) 357-2531

Changing exhibits of American design, crafts and decorative arts are shown here. The Grand Salon and Octagon Room, opulently furnished in Victorian style, feature an excellent permanent collection of paintings and sculpture. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m