Katzen Arts Center / American University Museum

What to know

The Katzen Arts Center is a massive 130,000-square-foot facility that consolidates all of American University's visual and performing arts programs into one integrated space. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, the center provides state-of-the-art instructional, exhibition, and performance spaces for all arts disciplines. It is located at Ward Circle, the intersection of Nebraska Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C. Within the center is the American University Museum, which opened in 2005. This three-story, 30,000-square-foot museum and sculpture garden presents local, national, and international contemporary art. The museum is directed by Jack Rasmussen and manages several prestigious collections, including the Watkins Collection, the Corcoran Legacy Collection, and the collection of Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen. Visitors can explore changing exhibitions that regularly mount new collections. For example, in fall 2024, the museum displayed eight new collections between September 7 and December 8. The museum's mission is to promote the understanding and appreciation of visual arts and creativity in all forms through public programs, education, and exhibitions. To enhance the visitor experience, the museum offers free gallery talks featuring the artists and curators who organized the collections. This combination of academic environment and public gallery space makes the Katzen Arts Center a unique destination for those seeking contemporary art in the city.

Visitor tips

• Check the museum's website for current gallery talks, as they are free and provide deep insight from artists and curators.
• Visit during the summer hours, which are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Allow time to explore the sculpture garden located within the museum's footprint.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes as the museum spans three stories.

Nearby context

Located at the busy intersection of Ward Circle, the Katzen Arts Center serves as a focal point for the American University campus, anchoring the arts district of the university's urban campus.