In reimagining creative expression and addressing critical social issues, the George Washington University’s Corcoran School of The Arts and Design is shaping culture and creating its next generation of creative leaders. From the studio to the world, see how the Corcoran School is engaging society and pushing the boundaries of art, right in the heart of the nation’s capital.
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Current Faculty And Student News
Cocoran Launches New Interaction Design Program
Beginning in fall 2018, the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters of Arts degrees in Interaction Design invite students to combine engineering, design and the humanities to devise solutions to complex human challenges—from designing smart devices to reimagining educational environments. Read more here.
For Corcoran Students, Studying The Smithsonian's Art Collection is Literally A Hands-On Experience
Through the Corcoran's master’s in decorative arts and design history, students have once-in-a-lifetime access to Smithsonian resources, like rare collections and historical artifacts. Read more here.
At The National Portrait Gallery, Corcoran Dance Professor Performs A First
Corcoran Professor of Dance, Dana Tai Soon Burgess, dances among art — literally. Juggling roles as the Smithsonian’s first choreographer-in-residence at the National Portrait Gallery and as a State Department cultural ambassador, Burgess uses movement to tell stories from an immersive, non-linear perspective. Read more from the Washington Post.
Corcoran Commuter Pushes D.C. Metro To Get On Board With #MeToo
Inspired to act by the nationwide #MeToo movement, photojournalism student Margaret Wroblewski began an Instragram photo series "I Was On The Metro When," which details stories of women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted on the transit system. Soon, D.C. Metro began to work with activists to on ways to prevent harassment and assault. Read more from NPR.
Innovation Arts Professor's Paper Invention Is Truly Electrifying
Corcoran Professor of Innovation Arts James Sham's groundbreaking invention, "cellulose solar paper," has the potential to change our relationship with sustainable energy. Cellulose solar paper also offers a number of advantages over conventional heavy glass-mounted solar panels. Read more here.
Corcoran School Hosts "Decolonizing Alaska"
In “Decolonizing Alaska,” a multimedia exhibition hosted at the Corcoran School of Arts and Design, 31 artists interpreted some of the most critical issues that Alaska faces, from climate change to cultural sustainability, through painting, sculpture and more. Read more here.
Visiting Corcoran Professor Teaches How To Build "With," Not "For," Disadvantaged Communities
William Wilson Corcoran Visiting Professor Joseph Kunkel, an architect and designer who researches and builds housing capacity in Native American communities across the United States, gave the keynote at “Wisal: A Symposium on Cross-Cultural Collaboration,” a daylong conference hosted by the Corcoran School that explores ways collaborative design can revitalize communities and catalyze cross-cultural understanding. Read more here.
Corcoran Students Celebrate 20th Century Art At White House
Corcoran students were among those who honored the White House Historical Association for its achievements in turning the White House’s Old Family Dining Room into the first room in “The People’s House” devoted entirely to 20th century art. Read more here.
On Baltic Tour, Choir Hits All The Right Notes
A chorus of 26 GW students added their voices to Baltic harmonies during a 10-day, four-city study abroad tour in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. They study international musical cultures, sing with local performers and express their thanks to the host countries with service projects, such as instructing school children and staging concerts at orphanages. Read more here.
Corcoran Alumni News
GW Alum Partners With Netflx in Series "We Speak Dance"
GW alum Iwonka Swenson works as one of the principal filmmakers on “We Speak Dance,” an original show now streaming on Netflix that follows creator, former UN Advisor and Alvin Ailey trained dancer, Vandana Hart across the world to explore how dance connects people, places, and culture. Read more here.
Two Alums Short Films Get A Long, Good Look
In their article on recommended short films from the 14th annual DC Shorts Film Festival & Screenplay Competition, The Washington Post recently highlighted Corcoran alums Bo Tan's "Close to U" and Mimi d'Autremont's "Anyone Like Me." Read more from the Washington Post.
Corcoran Alums Featured At IFC Event
Corcoran alums Mimi d'Autremont & Sana Ullah, both recent M.A. New Media Photojournalism graduates, had their work on display at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as part of its Diversity and Inclusion week. The event brought together IFC staff, World Bank staff, and corporate leaders with young artists for bold and inspiring discussions. Read more here.
GW Design Alum's New Compression Socks Are Hot To Trot
Alum Susan Costa-Walston, founder of Lily Trotters, has done a huge service for women on the go with her sleek and fashionable compression socks. Read more here.
On Campus At The Corcoran
Pixar Animator Takes Students Behind The Scenes of "Coco"
Jason Katz, a storyboard artist who has worked on numerous Pixar films including "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo," and "Ratatouille" came to speak with our students about the acclaimed studio’s latest film. Jason Katz, a storyboard artist who has worked on numerous Pixar films including "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo," and "Ratatouille" came to speak with our students about the acclaimed studio’s latest film. Read more from the Hatchet.
Airbnb Cofounder Enjoys His Brief Stay At The Corcoran
Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia visited the Corcoran for a talk and Q&A session with about how he started Airbnb, giving back through design, the power of an idea, and the future of design.
Master Class With Laura Linney
The Academy of Classical Acting hosted a master class earlier this fall with actress Laura Linney, who spent several hours with Corcoran School students working on acting and text analysis.