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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.
Featured Events
See all Music | Theatre/Musical Theatre | Installation Art events
AU Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combos Some Spring Swing
April 25, 7:30 p.m. | Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center
Swing into the season with the AU Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combos, directed by Joshua Bayer. Enjoy an evening of big band swing, funk, and straight-ahead jazz from various composers, showcasing the ensemble's versatility and energy.
Jazz tickets
Spring Exhibitions at AU MuseumWednesday–Sunday, 11:00–4:00
- LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS:
Bruce and Jean Conner in Mexico, 1961-62 - Monumental Washington
- Otho Branson: Paintings
- #SerbiaInRealLife
- Fred Folsom: Women Smoking and Last Call
Upcoming Student Exhibitions
April 19–May 18
- Transit: American University Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition, featuring artists Phaedra Askarinam, Pooja Campbell, Patricia Edwine Poku, Connor Gagne, Andrés Izquierdo, and Julia Cheng Zhang
- Alone, Together: Viewpoints from the Corcoran Legacy Collection, presented by AU Curatorial Practice students.
Opening Reception on April 26, 6–9:00 p.m.
AU 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 AU 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, Tomer Ben-Ezer, as soloist.
Orchestra tickets
All Spring 2025 Events
Music
Tickets to Department of Performing Arts events are free for AU students with ID; $10 for AU alumni, faculty, and staff, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older); $15 for the general public.
AU Chamber Singers
Haydn: Mass for Troubled Times (Missa in angustiis) — "Lord Nelson Mass"
April 5, 7:30 p.m., April 6, 3:00 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 AU 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 Pärt's stirring Salve Regina will lead off the program.
Chamber Singers tickets
American University Chorus
Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem
April 11, 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 American University Chorus and friends for a performance of Brahms' choral masterpiece, Ein Deutsches Requiem.
Chorus tickets
AU Symphonic Band
Spring Concert
April 13, 3 p.m. | Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall
Matthew Brown, conductor
The AU Symphonic Band plays an eclectic mix of concert band selections, ranging from established classics of the standard repertoire to new works.
Band tickets
AU 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 AU 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, Tomer Ben-Ezer, as soloist.
Orchestra tickets
AU Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combos Some Spring Swing
April 25, 7:30 p.m. | Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center
Swing into the season with the AU Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combos, directed by Joshua Bayer. Enjoy an evening of big band swing, funk, and straight-ahead jazz from various composers, showcasing the ensemble's versatility and energy.
Jazz tickets
Dance
DANCEWORKS 2025
April 11-12, 7:30 p.m. | Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre
Rediscover the power of live dance. The American University Dance Company brings DANCEWORKS 2025 to the Greenberg Theatre stage with new works by Dance faculty, Ronya-Lee Anderson and Erin Foreman-Murray, and guest choreographers Bambi and Tariq Darrell O'Meally.
Installation Art
Visiting Artists Series
Spring Art Department Series features
- Elisa Harkins, January 17
- Melissa Joseph, February 6
- Linnea Poole, February 20
- Julie Wills, March 27, 6:00,
Katzen Arts Center 246 - Erika Hess, April 10, 6:00,
Katzen Arts Center 201
Design Show
March 21 – April 4, 2025
Katzen Arts Center Rotunda
Reception: March 28, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Graphic Design program students proudly show their best work.
AU Museum Spring Exhibitions & EventsThrough May 18, 2025
Wednesday–Sunday, 11:00–4:00
with associated artists talks and special events
LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS:
Bruce and Jean Conner in Mexico, 1961-62- Monumental Washington
- Otho Branson: Paintings
- #SerbiaInRealLife
- Fred Folsom: Women Smoking and Last Call
- A Sight to Behold
