Connecting Artists and Audiences
Each year, the Center for the Arts invites several artists and ensembles with distinctive and innovative artistic voices to make Mason their home for a residency.
Each Mason Artist-in-Residence will participate in a variety of activities, designed to engage and inspire the diverse audiences both on and off the campus of George Mason University. Learn more about the work and impact of recent Mason Artists-in-Residence.
2025–26 Mason Artists-in-Residence
The following artists have been chosen to participate in the Mason Artist-in-Residence program in conjunction with their 2025–26 Center for the Arts season performances. In addition to their respective performances, the ensembles will lead a variety of events, classes, and discussions across the Mason campus and wider community.
Papermoon Puppet Theatre
Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Indonesia’s innovative Papermoon Puppet Theatre presents a spellbinding, non-verbal puppetry work. Founded in 2006 by illustrator, writer, and theater performer Maria (Ria) Tri Sulistyani and visual artist Iwan Effendi, Papermoon has traveled the world with its mixed media productions that are personal, yet universally resonant. A bittersweet and hopeful piece, Puno tells the story of Tala, a young girl who is coping with her father’s passing, exploring how we can hold and appreciate what has been left to us. Join us to “…delight in the innocence, the beauty and the expert puppetry” (The Sydney Morning Herald).
Limón Dance Company
Saturday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.
Founded in 1946, the Limón Dance Company is considered one of the world’s greatest modern dance companies. Acclaimed for its dramatic expression, technical mastery, and expansive, yet nuanced movement, the Limón Dance Company illustrates the timelessness of acclaimed dancer and choreographer José Limón’s work. In its Center for the Arts debut, the Company’s repertory includes a special performance of Missa Brevis featuring students from George Mason University School of Dance. Become entranced by “an integral part of American dance history” (The New York Times) with Limón Dance Company!
La Santa Cecilia
Saturday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m.
Grammy-winning and Latin Grammy-nominated La Santa Cecilia exemplifies the creative hybrid of Latin culture, rock, and world music. The ensemble’s passionate, colorful performances utilize Pan-American rhythms including cumbia, bossa nova, rumba, bolero, tango, jazz, and klezmer music. Named after the patron saint of music, La Santa Cecilia is composed of Jose ‘Pepe’ Carlos (accordion/requinto), Alex Bendaña (bass), Miguel ‘Oso’ Ramirez (percussion), and ‘La Marisoul’ (vocals). With a captivating voice that explores love, loss, and everyday struggles, the band is fully immersed in modern music while always close to Latin American influences and Mexican heritage. “La Santa Cecilia... performances are flawless” (NPR).
Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens
Sunday, Mar. 22 at 7 p.m.
Joined by Artistic Director and Pulitzer Prize-winning multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, the GRAMMY Award-winning Mason Artist-in-Residence Silkroad Ensemble returns to the Center for the Arts with its latest project, Sanctuary: The Power of Resonance and Ritual. The idea of trance—leading to a deep peace that is hard to find in modern society—is deeply tied to the communal making of music in many different cultures. From the tarantella tradition of Italy to the Tarab tradition of the Middle East, as well as Congolese and Indian traditions, this program dives into the musicians’ respective musical traditions, highlighting a deeper human connection and inviting the audience along as participants on “an exhilarating musical ride” (San Francisco Chronicle).
We believe in the power of the Arts to create community, and look forward to welcoming these incredible artists this season! More information about how you can engage with the Mason Artists-in-Residence will be posted here and on the artists’ event webpages as it becomes available.
The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.
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