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, Carolyn Small Alper (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.

 

Fall Exhibition: An American in Venezuela

View our current Alper exhibition:
An American in Venezuela from artist Franklin White, September 9 through December 10

Image: Franklin White, Baston del Emperador, 2014. Oil pastel, 60 x 83 inches. Courtesy of Franklin White Studios.

Submit Your 
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.