The Corcoran name has long been synonymous with innovation and education in the arts, since the founding of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1869 and its affiliated school in 1878. The George Washington University is proud to join in preserving and growing the Corcoran legacy through a historic agreement with the gallery and school in 2014, in partnership with the National Gallery of Art.

With the transition, the renamed Corcoran School of the Arts and Design maintains its distinct identity within GW?s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. The Flagg Building at 17th Street continues to be the primary home for Corcoran School students, although classes are also held in other buildings on Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses. The National Gallery will organize and present exhibitions of modern and contemporary art within the Flagg Building. The National Gallery also will maintain a Corcoran Legacy Gallery within the building, displaying a selection of works from the collection that are identified historically with the 17th Street landmark structure. A phased renovation of the Flagg Building began in fall 2014.