Founded in 1878 the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design stands before you. A rich history unfolds within these walls. William Wilson Corcoran a Washington DC merchant and banker founded the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1869. He envisioned a space for the public to engage with art. Aspiring artists flocked to sketch and paint copies of the collection’s famous works.
Initially housed in a building on Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street NW the gallery quickly outgrew its space. The Civil War interrupted construction. Union Army offices occupied the building during the conflict. Work resumed after the war’s end.
In 1878 Corcoran donated funds to establish a school. It was formally opened in 1890. By the 1890s both the gallery and school needed more space. Ernest Flagg designed a larger Beaux-Arts building. It opened in 1897 at New York Avenue and 17th Street. The basement held workshops and studios. Upper floors housed galleries.
The school flourished adding commercial art classes scholarships and children’s courses. It received accreditation in the mid-1970s. The first BFA degree was awarded in 1978. Notable artists like Gene Davis Anne Truitt and Sam Gilliam taught there.
In 1999 the school was renamed The Corcoran College of Art and Design. Students benefited from the Corcoran Gallery’s extensive collection. Studio 31 displayed student artwork. The annual NEXT show showcased senior thesis projects.
A court-approved agreement in 2014 led to the gallery’s closure. The collection transferred to the National Gallery of Art. The Flagg building and college operations were transferred to George Washington University. Today the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design thrives within GWU’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. It carries on Corcoran’s legacy of artistic excellence and education.
The Corcoran’s history is not just about buildings and collections. It’s about the artists students and educators who shaped its identity. It is a testament to the enduring power of art and its capacity to inspire future generations. The legacy continues. The spirit of William Wilson Corcoran lives on in the vibrant artistic community fostered by this institution.