Living in the Nation's Capital, with so many free events going on year-round, it might seem silly to spend a princely sum of money for the privilege of becoming a Member of a local arts organization. But there are a number of good reasons to think about becoming a member -- maybe you're interested in a particular subject that's only shown at a pay-for museum, maybe you're an artist looking to grab a foothold in......

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......

>> Your major opening this weekend is brought to you by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The nearly 120 piece Saul Steinberg retrospective, Illuminations, features the artist's witty and deeply observant take on world events throughout his 60 year history with The New Yorker, as well as the many other sculpture, painting, and various artworks that get a little meta in their parsing of creative methods. DCist is going to check out the show this......

>>Seriously, Just Don't Hit Send Next Time: If you missed the gallery-style cage match and possible legal battle between artist Doug Sanford and his ex-girlfriend caused by the Fraser Gallery's last exhibit, stop by the space anyway and see what drama their new exhibit will cause. Though the 6th Annual International Photography Competition probably won't spur the hatred of a woman scorned, it'll at least feature some ridiculously talented artists. The opening reception is tomorrow......

Holiday? What Holiday? While some of us were home devouring pumpkin pies instead of writing the Arts Agenda last week, a few galleries opened their doors to new exhibits. The National Portrait Gallery is giving thanks to Josephine Baker by displaying images, posters, music sheets and other artifacts that tell the story of this amazing performer and civil rights activist. Meanwhile, the National Geographic Museum has opened their Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit, showcasing......

Remember last week when we told you to mark your calendar for this evening? Force yourself away from the One Tree Hill season premiere and head down to the Corcoran Hammer Auditorium for Night 1 of the second Experimental Media Series. Presented by the Washington Project for the Arts\Corcoran, tonight promises Cowboys, Clichés, Codes, and Conspiracies. In this show curated by Peggy Parsons, the Head of the Department of Film at the National Gallery of......

American University's graduation is May 14 -- which also happens to be Mother's Day. I need to find a good but not exorbitantly expensive brunch option. Any suggestions? In case you and your mom will be spending Mother's Day in the area, DCist encourages you to consider booking a reservation for Sunday brunch sooner rather than later. With American University's graduation falling on the same day, plenty of places are already full -- including brunch......

We start this week's Arts Agenda with some news from the Hirshhorn. Tyler Green of Modern Art Notes tells us that the Hirshhorn has a new director, noting that: The Hirshhorn held no press conference introducing their new director. The Corcoran, however, just held a presser to announce that they don't have a director! Anyhow, back to the latest listings ... Kick off summer by visiting some of the new exhibits around D.C. this week.......

We reported last week on the rumored shake ups at the Corcoran -- and tomorrow, news hungry D.C. art watchers will, hopefully, get some answers to questions on the troubled museum's future. The Corcoran's Board of Trustees met today, and the decisions made in that meeting will be announced to the public tomorrow at 9 a.m. What's more notable is who will be announcing the decisions to the public. Museum President David Levy will be......

(Review contributed by Jens F. Laurson of Ionarts) Paris on the Potomac is Washington's citywide celebration of French art and culture that will last until Memorial Day. You might think it unlikely that Washington can offer an authentic Parisian feel, but those of us who went to the Corcoran Gallery of Art's Twilight Concert last Sunday had the chance to be shown otherwise. The Corcoran's Salon Doré is a little jewel box of a room,......

If you thought you couldn't get enough of Frank Gehry by staring at models and renderings of the proposed wing at the Corcoran Museum of Art, head on over to 17th Street, as the museum opened today a new exhibition on the furniture of the Los Angeles architect. "The Furniture of Frank Gehry" runs through Nov. 15. The exhibition features work Gehry has done for three designers, Knoll, Heller and Vitra. Does any of this......