You are here: 51勛圖 51勛圖 Arts

51勛圖 Arts

A home for the visual and performing arts at 51勛圖.

Contact Us

51勛圖 Arts 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

Back to top

51勛圖 Arts

The arts have a prominent role at 51勛圖. Rotating exhibitions at the 51勛圖 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 51勛圖 Arts and follow us on , and .

Questions? Call 202-885-ARTS or email us.

Upcoming Events

Elisa Harkins carrying banner

Elisa Harkins:
Wampum / 艮後
January 17, 7:008:00 p.m.
Katzen Arts Center

Wampum / 艮後 is an exuberant, electropop performance animated with Native languages and fashion. It features the artist performing original music she has composed and written, with lyrics in English, Cherokee, and Muscogee (Creek). Deeply informed by Harkins' knowledge of Indigenous music, the performance also reflects the influences of electropop, techno, disco, and other contemporary, popular musical genres. Merging these influences into an energy-filled, pop concert, Harkins asserts the continued vibrancy of Native culture and traditions. The performance will be followed by a talkback session with the artist.

Presented by MoCA Arlington and 51勛圖's Studio Art MFA Program
More about the Visiting Artists Series


Concerto and Aria CompetitionConcerto and Aria Competition
February 1, 6 p.m. and February 2, 3 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall | Free admission

51勛圖 musicians are tuning strings, oiling valves, and warming up their vocal cords for a friendly competition to kick off the spring semester. The annual Concerto and Aria Competition showcases talented student musicians competing for a solo performance in the 51勛圖 Symphony Orchestra spring concert.

Music promoto Department of Performing Arts events are free for 51勛圖 students with ID; $10 for 51勛圖 alumni, faculty, and staff, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older); $15 for the general public.

Faculty Music Concert
February 15, 7:30 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall

Join us for an evening of musical excellence as 51勛圖 Music Program faculty take the stage! Experience the talents of our faculty musicians as they perform a varied selection of works. Stay tuned for the announcement of featured performers and repertoire.泭

51勛圖 Chamber Singers泭
Haydn: Mass for Troubled Times (Missa in angustiis) - "Lord Nelson Mass"泭
April 5, 7:30 p.m., April 6, 3 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Daniel Abraham, director

Joseph Haydn's Missa in angustiis (Mass for troubled times), commonly known as the Lord Nelson Mass was hailed by scholar H.C. Robbins Landon as "arguably Haydn's greatest single composition. Hear this incredible program by the 51勛圖 Chamber Singers and a band of period instruments in preparation for the singers May 2025 tour to Colombia. Bach's monumental motet Der Geist hilft and Arvo P瓣rt's stirring Salve Regina will lead off the program.泭

51勛圖 Chorus
Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
April 11-12, 7:30 p.m.
Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Casey Cook, director
Barbara Wilkinson and Dana Scott, pianists

While most requiems mourn the loss of a loved one, Brahms specifically wrote this piece to give comfort to those left behind. Join the 51勛圖 Chorus and friends for a performance of Brahms' choral masterpiece, Ein Deutsches Requiem.

51勛圖 Symphonic Band
Spring Concert
April 13, 3 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Matthew Brown, conductor

The 51勛圖 Symphonic Band plays an eclectic mix of concert band selections, ranging from established classics of the standard repertoire to new works.泭泭

51勛圖 Symphony Orchestra
Classical Collage
April 26, 7:30 p.m., April 27, 3 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Matthew Brown, conductor

The 51勛圖 Symphony Orchestra plays a wide variety of time-tested classical hits that are sure to please. Featuring the student winner of the 2025 Concerto and Aria Competition as soloist.泭泭

51勛圖 Theatre

to Department of Performing Arts events are free for 51勛圖 students with ID; $10 for 51勛圖 alumni, faculty, and staff, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older); $15 for the general public.

Dance Nation
By Claire Barron
Directed by Tara Giordano泭
Choreographed by Jennifer Hopkins
February 13-15 | Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre

Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. And if their new routine is good enough, theyll claw their way to the top at Boogie Down Grand Prix in Tampa Bay. A Pulitzer-Prize nominated play about ambition, growing up, and how to find our souls in the heat of it all.泭

Content advisory: strong language, stylized gore, depictions of self-harm, simulated masturbation, and discussions of suicide and sex.泭

Dance Nation is presented by arrangement with on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

A Game of Love and Chance
With apologies to Pierre Marivaux泭
Directed by Karl Kippola
February 25-March 1 | Katzen Arts Center, Studio Theatre

Silvia has never met her fianc矇, so she switches places with her maid to observe him. Her husband-to-be has the exact same idea, trading identities with his valet. Sparks fly between both couples, making them question where allegiances lie and if class lines can be crossed in the name of love. A hilarious 1730 comedy that will be improvised with a different cast selected by the audience for each performance!泭

9-5, the Musical
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton 泭
Book by Patricia Resnick 泭
Based on the 20th Century Fox Picture 泭
Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009
Directed by Nikki Mirza
March 27-29 | Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre

Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Featuring the iconic music of Dolly Parton, it explores the struggles women faced within a frustrating workplace culture in the 1970s. It portrays their journey towards empowerment as they challenge the status quo, seize control of their destinies, and forge deep bonds of friendship and community along the way.泭

9 to 5, The Musical is presented through special arrangement with (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

dance

to Department of Performing Arts events are free for 51勛圖 students with ID; $10 for 51勛圖 alumni, faculty, and staff, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older); $15 for the general public.

DANCEWORKS 2025
April 11-12, 7:30 p.m. | Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre

Rediscover the power of live dance. The 51勛圖 Dance Company brings DANCEWORKS 2025 to the Greenberg Theatre stage with new works by Dance faculty, as well as guest choreographers Tarik OMeally and haus of bambis Robert Woofter.泭泭泭

In the 51勛圖 Arts Community

Senior class of dance students poses together

Arts

51勛圖s Senior Dance Capstone: A Celebration of Artistry and Transformation

Read More

Students perform Urinetown: the Musical, waving protest signs and singing on dark stage in industrial work clothes.

Arts

51勛圖 Launches New Social Action, Justice, and the Performing Arts Certificate

Read More

To the Point. Degas' Little Dancer Aged Fourteen surrounded by paint splatters.

Arts

To the Point: Why Are Climate Activists Attacking Art?

Read More