Mason Artists-in-Residence

Right before Earth Day, Small Island Big Song presents a "jaw-dropping" (Billboard) concert experience at the Center for the Arts on April 20, combining music, spoken word, and stunning projections to showcase unique oceanic grooves and soulful island ballads, while shining a light on the devastating effects of climate crisis on our world’s oceans. As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Small Island Big Song will also deeply engage with the community through a series of education and engagement programs.

On February 17, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham presented a thrilling collection of works by acclaimed choreographers, including its artistic director and MacArthur Genius Award-winning choreographer Kyle Abraham. As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, members of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham worked with Mason as well as communities within Manassas, Washington, D.C., and local communities in a variety of activities ranging from classroom visits to A.I.M Movement Workshops that brought participants up on their feet.

Honor Earth Day weekend with Small Island Big Song on April 20 for a moving musical experience that combines music, spoken word, and stunning projections to showcase the sounds of various island nations of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, while shining a light on the devastating effects of climate crisis on our world’s ocean.

Join us on Feb 17 for an extraordinary evening of visionary works using various dance and music styles that uncover the relationships between identity, history, and geography.

Honoring and remembering legendary Black individuals who have shaped history, the Center for the Arts celebrates Black History Month this February with a collection of amazing Black stories and artists, across opera, art song, and contemporary dance.

Culminating its second of three years in residence at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University, Silkroad Ensemble engaged with George Mason University’s campus, as well as the local Fairfax community, as Mason Artist-in-Residence in conjunction with its November 5 performance of the world-premiere program American Railroad.

Returning for their second of three years as a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad Ensemble and Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens present the world premiere of American Railroad, an initiative that maps American music through the various communities involved in building the late-1800s Transcontinental Railroad and its connecting railways. As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad artists will also work with the community through classes and workshops surrounding the performance, which are detailed within.

Each season, the Center for the Arts invites artists and ensembles with distinctive and innovative artistic voices to make George Mason University their home for a residency. The Center for the Arts is thrilled to present three 2023/2024 Mason Artists-in-Residence: Silkroad Ensemble, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, and Small Island Big Song.

Culminating the 2022/2023 season at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University,  Indigenous Enterprise engaged with George Mason University’s campus as well as the local Fairfax community as a  Mason Artist-in-Residence over the course of the last week in April.  

Mason Artist-in-Residence Indigenous Enterprise Leads Events Across Campus and Community