Graduate 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. Classes for the fall semester begin on Monday, August 24, 2026.

To prepare for the new school year, we are hosting an orientation for new Corcoran graduate students on Friday, August 21, 2026. Graduate students will begin the day with Corcoran Graduate Orientation Session for all incoming students followed by their program-specific orientation session. Check-in and the Corcoran Graduate Orientation will take place in our Corcoran Flagg Building location (500 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006).

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

Corcoran Graduate Orientation Overview:

2pm Check-in

Join us for mingling with peers and faculty and don’t forget to grab your Corcoran swag!

2:30pm Welcoming Remarks

Dr. Laura Schiavo, incoming Director of the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, will welcome our incoming graduate and undergraduate students.

2:45pm-3:45pm Corcoran Graduate Orientation Session

Join us 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!

3:45pm-5pm Program-Specific Orientations

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

Art History

Art History Program Orientation
3:45pm - 5:00pm
Location: Smith Hall of Art, Room 106, 801 22nd St NW

Professor Lipinski, Director of Graduate Studies, will take students to Smith Hall of Art for an Art History gathering and reception at 4-5 pm.

Classical Acting

Classical Acting Program Orientation
12:30pm-2pm
Location: Classical Acting Studio, 2129 G St (read building through the courtyard)

Incoming students are invited to join faculty of the Classical Acting MFA program for a brief lunch and meet & greet at our Studio located at 2129 G St. in the rear building through the courtyard from 12:30-2pm on Friday, August 21st.

Contemporary Art Practices

Contemporary Art Practices Program Orientation
3:45pm-5pm
Location: Flagg Building followed by Smith Hall of Art, 801 22nd St NW

After opening remarks, new students will get a tour of the maker spaces in the Flagg Building before making their way to Smith Hall of Art. There, you'll meet faculty and current grad students, get a feel for the space, and stake your claim on a studio. Come with questions, come with excitement, and get ready to see where your next chapter begins.

Interaction Design

Interaction Design Program Orientation
3:45pm-5:00pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW, Room 219

Join us for an introduction to the Interaction Design curriculum, as well as a tour of the IxD facilities and resources with the design faculty.

Interior Architecture

Interior Architecture MA + MFA Programs Orientation
3:45pm-5:00pm
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

Museum Studies Program Orientation
3:45pm-5pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW, Hammer Auditorium

Welcome to Museum Studies! Our orientation is a great way to kick off your journey. You’ll meet the faculty, learn more about the MA program, and hear firsthand from current students about their experiences. We can’t wait to meet you!

New Media Photojournalism

New Media Photojournalism Program Orientation
3:45pm-5pm
Location: Corcoran Flagg Building, 500 17th St NW, Room 159 (across from Hammer Auditorium)

We will get to know each other a little and review the NMPJ program expectations and manual. We'll take a short walk through the Corcoran Flagg building and the Smith Hall of Arts to orient everyone on spaces and available resources.