Graduate Orientation

Virtual Tour of Campus Campus Map CCAS New Student Orientation

Welcome to the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at GW! We are thrilled to have you join us this year. You are now part of an incredible network of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are at the forefront of the most innovative scholarship, creative work, and cultural development happening today.

Over the summer we encourage you to review the Next Steps checklist on the CCAS Graduate Office’s website.

To prepare for the new school year, we are hosting a Graduate Student Orientation Day on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Graduate students will begin the day with Corcoran Graduate Orientation Session for all incoming students followed by their program-specific orientation session.

Please refer to your program’s orientation information below for an overview of the day including your program’s orientation session.

If you are unable to attend the orientation sessions, please reach out to your program.

Classes for the fall semester begin on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Art History

Corcoran Graduate Orientation
1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Join Dr. Lauren Onkey, Director of the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design and Dr. Laura Schiavo, Deputy Director, for an orientation session for all incoming Corcoran graduate students. We will hear from representatives from throughout the university including Columbian College of Arts & Science (CCAS) Graduate Office, Gelman Library and many more!

Break
2:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Incoming students from all of our graduate programs are invited to gather together for a quick snack and mingling before our program-specific orientation sessions begin. We’ll have light refreshments and don’t forget to pick up your Corcoran swag!

Art History Program Orientation
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Location: GW/Textile Museum and Smith Hall of Art, 801 22nd St NW, Room 106

Art History students will first head over to the GW / Textile Museum to learn about resources there and then move on to Smith Hall of Art for a meet & greet with Art History Program Head Professor Bibiana Obler and the Director of Graduate Studies Professor Mika Natif. Students will receive a building tour with Jacob Rangel and a brief introduction to the Visual Resource Center with Paul Reuther.

Classical Acting

Corcoran Graduate Orientation
1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Break
2:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Classical Acting Program Orientation
2:30pm-4pm
Location: 2129 G St NW Rear Building Courtyard

Swing by to see our space, eat some lunch, and meet Director Alec Wild, Head of Voice & text Lisa Beley, and Program Coordinator Maddie Caldis.

Fine Arts & Social Practice

Corcoran Graduate Orientation
1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Break
2:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Fine Arts & Social Practice Programs Orientation
2:30pm-4:00pm
Location: Flagg Atrium (bottom of grand staircase)

We will welcome our incoming MFA students with a meet and greet. We will start with a tour of the Flagg Building, and then walk across campus together to Smith Hall of Art where we will discuss logistics of the programs including the assignment of individual studio spaces and access to various studios, as well as covering general expectations and a Question & Answer period.

Interaction Design

Corcoran Graduate Orientation
1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Break
2:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Interaction Design Program Orientation
2:30pm-4:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW, Room 219

Join us for an overview of Interaction Design curriculum and support resources, as well as a tour of the IxD facilities with Director of Graduate Studies, Kevin Patton.

Interior Architecture

Corcoran Graduate Orientation
1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Break
2:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Interior Architecture MA + MFA Programs Orientation
2:30pm-3:30pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW, Room 212

We're excited to have you join our Interior Architecture Program this fall. During the orientation, we'll have a basic overview of resources and policies for both MFA and MA students; you'll also have an opportunity to meet with others in your cohort. Time for a Q+A session will be provided. We look forward to seeing you then!

Museum Studies

Corcoran Graduate Orientation
1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Break
2:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Museum Studies Program Orientation
2:30pm-4pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Museum Studies' orientation will include meeting the faculty, an overview of the MA program, and a conversation with current students. A scavenger hunt will provide an introduction to the Foggy Bottom campus and student services, and a fun way to get to know your classmates.

New Media Photojournalism

Corcoran Graduate Orientation
1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

Break
2:00pm-2:30pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW

New Media Photojournalism Program Orientation
2:30-4:30PM
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW, Room 159
NMPJ students gather in room 159 for a program orientation followed by a discussion on the Corcoran, the layout and history of Washington, D.C., and a short walking tour with Dr. Lisa Lipinski, Professor of Art History.