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Since its founding in 1916, The Arts Club of Washington has promoted and celebrated a vast array of the visual, performing, and literary arts in the nation’s capital.
LEARN MOREThe Arts Club of Washington has long held a distinctive profile in Washington, D.C., nationally and internationally. Founded in 1916 by a group of prominent local artists and modeled on New York’s National Arts Club and the Chelsea Arts Club in London, The Arts Club of Washington was the very first in the city to have women in leadership roles and as members from its start.
Its arts-focused, innovative, and bohemian character draws free-thinkers from around the capital region and across the globe from its historic home, the center of which is an historic Federal-era mansion that once served as the residence of President James Monroe—and for a time, his official presidential residence.
The creative, warm and welcoming spirit of the organization endures as part of an ever-evolving and important legacy. We welcome those who engage in the arts (both professionally and for the love of it), or simply celebrate the many forms of artistic expression that the organization presents, to consider the many benefits of membership and to join us as a unique part of our nation’s history.
LEARN MOREThe Arts Club of Washington is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization, as well as a nexus for programming that spotlights the full range of the arts.
The Club is an active museum, and welcomes visitors to four gallery spaces, free weekly concerts, events focusing on literature, dance, and theatre, as well as studio classes in visual arts.
The Club’s mission also includes promoting the importance of historic preservation through the ongoing restoration and preservation of the club’s headquarters, which encompasses a significant 19th-century structures designated as National Historic Landmarks (the James Monroe House) and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (the General Robert MacFeely House).
DINING | DINING - Lunch | 08 May | 12:00 PM | LEARN MORECLOSE |
Event Overview:DINING - LunchFriday, May 8, 2026 Lunch seating - 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm OPEN TO MEMBERS & GUESTS ONLY Lunch $45* per person * price includes tax & gratuity Enjoy a three-course gourmet meal with fellow members in The Arts Club of Washington dining rooms. Dress Code: Business Casual RSVP required no later than the previous day by 5 pm We offer lunch service with reservations, service will be cancelled if there are no reservations. Price includes non-alcoholic beverages, coffee & tea. RSVP online or call (202) 331-7282 ext 2 or email dining@artsclubofwashington.org Lunch service is an exclusive member benefit available for members and their guests. Charge will be applied to the host's account. For private events and parties of 9 or more please contact the General Manager at 202-331-7282 ext 110 or yann@artsclubofwashington.org
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DRAMA | Book Launch: Making the Scene: Theater on 14th Street in the 1980’s | 11 May | 7:00 PM | LEARN MORECLOSE |
Event Overview:Book Launch: Making the Scene: Theater on 14th Street in the 1980’s by Amy Schmidt Presented by the Drama Committee of the Arts Club of Washington Monday, May 11, 2026 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Open to Members & Guests (RSVP required) Event Overview Please join us for the book launch of Making the Scene: Theater on 14th Street in the 1980’s. Written by Amy Schmidt, co-founder and managing director emeritus of SCENA Theater, the book documents the transformation of the 14th Street “riot corridor” of 1968 in DC into a thriving theatre district that “left in its wake a generation of well-trained theater professionals who would help boost Washington into one of the nation’s leading theater towns.” The book features Interconnected stories, interviews and the author’s commentary accompanied by vintage photographs and original illustrations. This hard cover 210 page book, produced in a signed and numbered limited edition of 500 copies, will be available at the event. Many prominent members of the Washington theater community are expected to attend this event, including theater founders, artistic directors and award winning actors. After the event, complimentary copies of the book will be donated to the People’s Archives at the MLK Memorial Library, the DC History Center, the University of Maryland’s Special Collection on the Performing Arts and the George Mason University Libraries Special Collection Research Center. Author Amy Schmidt holds a PhD in history and enjoyed a long career as historian at the National Achives in Washington. Together with Robert McNamara, she co-founded SCENA Theater in1987.
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DRAMA | First Draft: a new play by Chris Stezin | 12 May | 7:30 PM | LEARN MORECLOSE |
Event Overview:Rose Theatre Co.'s Assocociate Artistic Director/Resident Writer Chris Stezin FIRST DRAFT THE ROSE THEATRE CO.'S Reading Series A new play by Chris Stezin Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at 7:30pm FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (RSVP required) Doors open 7pm Performance begins 7:30pm THE ROSE THEATRE CO's Reading Series FIRST DRAFT celebrates the idea that new plays have an important place in the future of American theater and that audiences are an integral part of the process. That's why all our new play readings are free-of-charge and available at friendly accessible venues. Performances begin at 7:30pm and are part of The Rose New Play Development Series | First Draft. A guided audience discussion with the creative team, playwright and actors follows each performance. Over a dozen seasons, THE ROSE THEATRE CO's Reading Series has been lucky to work with some of the most vibrant playwrights in the country. We've debuted over 45 new plays with more than half receiving full productions in DC, on Broadway and around the globe. Join the conversation! This project is supported in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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