FRIDAY: >> Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are at the 9:30 Club with Kristeen Young and Partyline, $15, 9 p.m. Also Saturday with Kristeen Young and Ris Paul Ric. >> DC9's Liberation Dance Party hosts Brooklyn's Jaguar Club. $6, 9 p.m. SATURDAY: >> The Historic Sixth and I Synagogue hosts The Eight, D.C.'s part of a "worldwide Hannukah party" featuring the LeeVees, DeLeon and D.C.'s own Black and White JohnsonsJacksons. $12/$18, all ages, 9 p.m.... more ›

This week the big news is the appointment (PDF) of Dorothy Kosinski as the new Director of The Phillips Collection. She's currently the Senior Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Dallas Musuem of Art, and comes with an impressive résumé that include extensive curating, acquisitions, and teaching experience. Kosinski will officially take over next spring, to replace retiring Director Jay Gates, just in time to take the reins on a five-year strategy the... more ›

The big news this week came on Tuesday, as the Washington Project for the Arts announced it was officially splitting from the Corcoran Gallery of Art at the end of 2007. The success of the partnership has boosted the WPA to a place where they can function solo once more, and are currently setting up shop in Dupont Circle. The Post has an excellent summary of WPA\C's history. >> The Arlington Arts Center is our... more ›

Academy 2007, at Conner Contemporary Art, is the gallery's seventh invitational survey designed to give wider exposure to recent graduates of the area's university level fine art programs. Jamie Smith, a product of formal art academia herself, curated the show along with Karyn Miller and chose the pieces after attending area BFA/MFA exhibitions between January and June. The show is designed not only as a platform for talented artists, but also as a profile of area art programs with pieces reflecting the personality and culture of their respective institutions. The result is an exhibition of 32 pieces, by 15 up-and-coming artists, in varied media ranging from painting, video, sculpture, and photography. As one might expect, the majority of the artists come from formal art programs rather than local universities. Of the 15 artists, seven come from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and three come from the Corcoran College of Art + Design. more ›

One of only three art schools in the nation that are affiliated with a world-class museum, the Corcoran College of Art + Design is a powerhouse in the "art schools of America" roster, ranking high in the Princeton Review (but receiving a ‘C’ average among current pupils and alumni). Founded in 1890, the school is the District’s only four-year, fully-accredited college of art and design. The Corcoran Gallery of Art has finally dedicated a gallery... more ›

We're gobsmacked that we forgot to mention Tim "Make it Work" Gunn's planned whirlwind visit to the District this weekend. A native of Washington, he's a veteran of Corcoran College of Art + Design and hit the big time as a mentor to aspiring designers on Bravo's oddly addictive Project Runway. Along with co-author Kate Moloney, Gunn comes to town promoting his new fashion manifesto, Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste, and Style.... more ›

Whether you've ever walked into an art gallery and seriously thought, "Hmm, I could do that," or you're just looking for a way to stretch your creative muscles, the city is overflowing with art classes and easels with your name on them. Practice something you've always loved, or try something new and unusual. Whatever you do, don't sit in front of the TiVo waiting for inspiration to strike. At the very least, you'll make out... more ›

Yesterday we explored the contentious issue of double-parking around area churches on Sundays. Many commenters echoed a basic question we asked: Since double-parking is against the law, why don't police officers crack down on it, churchgoer or otherwise? Today the Washington Times has provided us with an answer. Straight from the mouth of Mary Myers, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Works, which is charged with enforcing District parking regulations: I think overall there... more ›