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Alper Initiative for Washington Art

A home for Washington art at the American University Museum, established 2016.

The Alper Initiative for Washington Art is dedicated to preserving, presenting, and creating Washington’s art history through three annual exhibitions, a salon-style gallery talk series, a library of 200+ Washington art books, and a database of Washington artist proposals made available to guest curators.

The Alper Initiative for Washington Art was made possible through a generous endowment from American University alumna, artist, and art advocate,ÌýCarolyn Small AlperÌý(1927-2020). According to her vision, the Alper provides the space and resources to fulfill one of the American University Museum's primary objectives and the region's greatest needs: promote an understanding and appreciation of our region's art and artists from our past, present, and future. The Alper is an exhibition space and a center for study and research, but primarily a meeting place for people and ideas.

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Fall ’24 Exhibition - Joseph Holston: Call and Response

View our current Alper exhibition
Joseph Holston: Call and Response, September 7 – December 8

Joseph Holston, Grand Finale, 2013. Oil on canvas, 42 x 50 in. Courtesy of the artist.
Joseph Holston, Grand Finale, 2013. Oil on canvas, 42 x 50 in. Courtesy of the artist.



Submit YourÌý
Art Project

We review submissions from Washington-area artists for Alper exhibitions on a rolling basis. Learn more about the Alper Initiative and make a submission.