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AU Arts
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States
AU Arts
The arts have a prominent role at American University. Rotating exhibitions at the AU Museum in the state-of-the-art Katzen Arts Center emphasize regional, national, and international contemporary art. The Department of Performing Arts, comprised of Arts Management, Audio Technology, Dance, Music, and Theatre/Musical Theatre, provides dynamic, connected, expressive, and fulfilling experiences for all of our majors, minors, and participating students. The Department of Art encompasses Studio Art, Art History, Photography, and Graphic Design.
To stay up-to-date on performances, exhibitions, and events, join the AU Arts mailing list and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Questions? Call 202-885-ARTS or email us.
Event spotlight AU Chorus - Tree of Peace
November 8-9, 7:30 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Casey Cook, director
Barbara Wilkinson, pianist
Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election, we can all agree that we've been through some trying times over the past few years. Tree of Peace offers a moment of respite—a musical sanctuary where harmony can take root and flourish in our lives, if only for an evening. Join the AU Chorus for a concert revolving around the themes of peace, tranquility, and nature, concluding with a performance of Gwenyth Walker's "Tree of Peace."
AU Arts Events
AU Museum Exhibitions and Events
Fall 2024 Exhibitions On view through December 8
Learn more about upcoming exhibitions and see the museum event calendar.
- Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing
- Joseph Holston: Call and Response
- Endless Transformations: The Alchemy of Connie Imboden
- Faces of the Republican Party
- New American Landscapes
- A Sight to Behold: The Corcoran Legacy Collection of Nineteenth and Early Twentieth-Century American Landscape Paintings at the American University Museum
- Mira Hecht: in the center thereof rose a fountain
- PEGAN BROOKE: FLUX II, Light on Water
Music
Tickets to Department of Performing Arts events are free for AU students with ID, $10 for alumni, staff, faculty, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older), $15 general public unless otherwise noted.
The Katzen Café will be open starting one hour before music performances on Fridays and Saturdays with refreshments and light bites available for purchase.
AU Chorus
Tree of Peace
November 8-9, 7:30 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Casey Cook, director
Barbara Wilkinson, pianist
Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election, we can all agree that we've been through some trying times over the past few years. Tree of Peace offers a moment of respite—a musical sanctuary where harmony can take root and flourish in our lives, if only for an evening. Join the AU Chorus for a concert revolving around the themes of peace, tranquility, and nature, concluding with a performance of Gwenyth Walker's "Tree of Peace."
AU Symphonic Band
Folk Song
November 10, 3 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Matthew Brown, conductor
The AU Symphonic Band explores pieces inspired by folk songs and dances from around the world. The program will include works by Alfred Reed, Robert W. Smith, Carol Brittin Chambers, and others, and conclude with Ralph Vaughan Williams' iconic classic, "English Folk Song Suite."
AU Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combos
Fall for Jazz
November 15, 7:30 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Joshua Bayer, director
Welcome autumn with the AU Jazz Orchestra as they play a full menu of works and styles including bop, swing, Latin, funk, and rock.
AU Symphony Orchestra
Dvořák Symphony no. 7
November 16, 7:30 p.m., November 17, 3 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Matthew Brown, conductor
The AU Symphony Orchestra tackles Antonin Dvořák’s formidable Symphony no. 7. Written in 1885, it is a staple of the symphony orchestra canon. The program will begin with Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Sibelius' haunting "Valse triste," and the AU Symphony Orchestra premiere of Barbara Harbach's Symphony no. 1, "Veneration."
Dance
Tickets to Department of Performing Arts events are free for AU students with ID, $10 for alumni, staff, faculty, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older), $15 general public.
Senior Dance Capstone with Guest Artist
November 15-16, 7:30 p.m. | Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre
Ronya-Lee Anderson, artistic director
Amber Marie Daniels, production coordinator
The AU Dance Program's graduating majors present an evening of creative research and original choreography.
Choreo-LabNovember 16, 2 p.m. | Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre
Sarah Beth Oppenheim, artistic director
Amber Marie Daniels, production coordinator
Choreo-Lab is a mainstage event from the AU Dance Program featuring new work by guest artists and student choreographers. Join us as we welcome fresh choreographic voices to the AU stage.
Photo: Lauren Brown
Theatre/Musical Theatre
Tickets to Department of Performing Arts events are free for AU students with ID, $10 for alumni, staff, faculty, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older), $15 general public.
Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea
November 19-22 | Katzen Arts Center, Studio Theatre
By Julia Izumi
Directed by Nick Martin
The Little Mermaid is Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved and well-known fairytale, which is why it’s not the story our friend Dolan is going to tell you. No, he’s going to tell you the story of a Little Rain Cloud who falls in love with a human. They are not the same story at all—he swears.
“Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Visiting Artists Series
The AU Studio Art MFA Program presents visiting artists throughout the year.
Rush Baker IV
November 7, 6 p.m. | Katzen 201
Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite
Image: All Quiet II, 2024. Acrylic, resin, paper, plaster on canvas 50 x 40 in.
Julie Wills
November 21, 6 p.m. | Katzen 201
Learn more and RSVP on Eventbrite
Image: Julie Wills, Clouds Filled to Bursting, 2023.
