The George Washington University is placing renewed focus on the arts through a host of courses, special institutes, exhibitions, and events that take advantage of the university’s collaborative partnerships with the area’s museums, galleries, archives, and performing arts venues. Among the new additions for 2012 is a Summer Piano Institute featuring world-renowned guest artists, and a Summer Studio focusing on art and politics at the pre-college level. New summer abroad programs, the Howard Hodgkin’s exhibit at GW’s Luther W. Brady Art Gallery and performing arts events at GW’s Lisner Auditorium are also on tap.
“The summer arts initiative integrates GW’s top-tier art events and academic programs with the vibrant cultural communities of the nation’s capital,” said Peg Barratt, dean of GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. “This renewed focus demonstrates the university’s commitment to the importance of the arts and the humanities in advancing our society.”
Rising high school juniors and seniors interested in the arts to expand and deepen their skills in drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture can take advantage of a new summer studio geared to examining issues related to the intersection of art and politics. Also available to pre-college, as well as college students, is the just launched piano institute that features coaching, ensemble work sessions, performances, and master classes taught by critically acclaimed pianist Simone Dinnerstein and other artists of international caliber. Additional pre-college offerings are the non-credit courses Photojournalism: Media in Focus and Architecture in the Nation’s Capital.
Current college students, alumni and members of the community can choose from a greater variety of art-focused offerings, both credit and non-credit. These include Design D.C., an on-site lecture and discussion seminar that take place at the National Gallery of Art’s East Wing, Embassy of Italy, Hirshorn Museum, and Pentagon; and the American Indian Art Therapy Institute that features a 16-day field immersion experience at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. New short-term summer abroad programs include travel to Lithuania to research, write, and explore the country’s painful past; and inside access to London’s museums and art galleries to analyze and write about the city’s masterpieces.