Our Commitment to the Future of the Arts

The arts create community. They allow us to reflect, to dream, to touch the highest levels of human capability as captured in a soaring song, the stroke of a brush, the leap of a dancer.

Rick Davis, Dean of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts

What we’re about is simple, yet profound. The arts create community. They allow us to reflect, to dream, to touch the highest levels of human capability as captured in a soaring song, the stroke of a brush, the leap of a dancer. Mason is poised to take a leading role in this vital work with wise investments in the people, places, and programs that will secure our position as a major center for studying, making, and experiencing the arts.

—Rick Davis, Dean of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts

Since 1990, the Center for the Arts has offered thousands of “great performances” by world-class artists to the Fairfax community and audiences across Northern Virginia. We’re proud to continue in that tradition while also supporting the rising talents fostered right here on campus. Through our connection with Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), we’re able to enrich our students’ lives by providing access to high-level arts and performances throughout the academic year, as well as state-of-the art venues to showcase their own productions.

As our fall season approaches, we thought to highlight several upcoming performances by CVPA student groups that are open to the general public and for which tickets are currently on sale:

On September 23, talented students from the School of Music will have the opportunity to perform with Broadway star Kelli O’Hara as part of ARTS by George! This annual benefit event raises much-needed funds to support CVPA student scholarships.

From October 26-29, School of Theater and School of Music students will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers—a musical theater piece that hilariously satirizes class distinctions.
On November 18, ten remarkable students from Mason’s School of Dance will be featured in a performance of in the shelter of the fold by Doug Varone and Dancers.

As a special holiday treat, Mason Opera students will present a production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel on December 1 and 2 at the Harris Theater.

These are just a few of the many performances that will feature the extraordinary promise of our talented students. A full schedule of events can be found on the Center for the Arts’ website. Browse the calendar and join us to support #MasonArts!