ARTS by George!

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Save the date for the annual ARTS by George! coming this September. 

This annual benefit event supports student scholarships for George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, Mason Community Arts AcademyGreen Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts.

Announcing our 20th ARTS by George! Headlining Performance: An Evening with Darren Criss

Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss to headline at this Fall's ARTS by George! Photo: Tony Moux, Onekind

Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape over a decade ago in Fox TV's his show Glee, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss has embodied the kind of kaleidoscopic artistry that's entirely uninhibited by form or genre. For this concert, Criss will be performing well known songs featured throughout his wildly eclectic career as both a songwriter and performer, including those from Glee, StarKid Productions, and the Broadway shows  in which he's starred. Criss is currently starring in the critically acclaimed Broadway hit Maybe Happy Ending directed by Michael Arden. Playing at the Belasco Theater, the show opened to unanimous rave reviews including the The New York Times Critic's Pick.

ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.6 million since it began in 2006. The evening begins by showcasing the remarkable talents of Mason Arts students throughout our studio and performance spaces while enjoying a buffet dinner and culminates with an exciting headliner performance in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall followed by a dessert reception onstage with the artist.

Tickets and information

  • Individual Tickets (Alumni) - $350 ($275 benefit)
  • Individual Tickets (Non-Alumni) - $450 ($275 benefit)

Tickets include one (1) event ticket, including student showcase, buffet, performance, onstage reception, and free garage parking

Please email us with any questions or call us at 703-993-1593.

Benefits of Sponsorship

Photos from past ARTS by George! events


Mosaic tile
Guests dining at ARTS by George!
Mosaic tile
Dewberry School of Music performance at ARTS by George!
Mosaic tile
Performance by School of Theater students at ARTS by George!
Mosaic tile
Raise-the-paddle inside the CFA at ARTS by George!
Mosaic tile
Mason Community Arts Academy student showcase at ARTS by George!
Mosaic tile
Green Machine entertain guests with their lively set at ARTS by George!
Mosaic tile
School of Dance students perform at ARTS by George!
Mosaic tile
Film and Video Studies showcase at ARTS by George!

Mosaic tile
20th Annual ARTS by George! Sponsors
as of 4/4/25

Presenting Sponsor


Executive Producer


Carolyn Peterson and the Peterson Family Foundation

Robert K. Purks

Producer


John and Annie Bolger
Carney Foundation
Rick Davis and Julie Thompson
Nancy Jean-Louis

Patron


Helen and Bill Ackerman
Leroy R. Barnes, Jr. 
Linda Beckman 
Gerard and Dianne Blais & Mack and Paulette Miller 
Jerry Bridges and Sally Turner 
Pat and Pat Carroll & Rob and Ida Portland 
Dr. Bernadette Dunham and Dr. Raymond Petryshyn 
George Mason University Foundation, Inc. 
Joyce Goche-Grimes 
Molly Grimsley 
Arthur and Linda Hamerschlag 
Linda and Harlan Harber 
Barbara and Kevin Hutto 
Mary Sanders Jones 
Shirley Joyce and John Nash 
Marthe Lattinville-Pace 
Tom and Pam Maskey 
Don and Sonja Palomaki & Bob and Pat Warakomsky 
Pure Barre Fairfax 
Roberta Roumel 
Thomas Sabal and Daniel Tucciarone 
Dr. Victoria N. Salmon and Mr. John J. Salmon 
Jay Speer and Donn Smith 
Annabelle and David Stone 
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Zigo

Mosaic tile