International Arts & Artists

IA&A is a registered 501(c)(3) entity and its offices and exhibition space are located in Washington, D.C.'s Dupont Circle. IA&A was founded by David Furchgott[1] in 1995, and began Traveling Exhibition services at this time.[1]

In 2003, hardware-industry pioneer John Hechinger, Sr. donated his collection of over 350 works of twentieth-century art to IA&A.[1][3]

In 2004, IA&A received a unique designation from the US Department of State for its Cultural Exchange Programs to sponsor J-1 visas for international interns, trainees, and scholars placed in cultural institutions throughout the US.[1]

In 2006, IA&A opened Hillyer Art Space (now IA&A at Hillyer).[1][4]

In 2014, IA&A purchased and renovated the 1850s-era former livery stable in Dupont Circle that it had occupied as an office/exhibition site for over a decade, providing a permanent home for the organization and Hillyer.[1]

In November, 2017, Founder and President David Furchgott announced his intention to retire.[5] He stepped down from his role as President in January, 2019.[6]

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the organization faced a period of instability. During this time IA&A minimized their Cultural Exchange Program due to travel restrictions, suspended their Design Studio Program and programs at Hillyer Art Space,[7] and greatly reduced their staff.

David Furchgott came out of retirement to become Interim President of IA&A following the resignation of his successor in October 2020.

In November 2021, Hillyer Art Space was reopened as IA&A at Hillyer.[7]

The Traveling Exhibition Services department of International Arts & Artists "is the producer of the largest number of fine arts and decorative arts touring exhibitions in the US,"[8] which it develops and circulates to large and small museums and public institutions throughout North America and abroad. The exhibitions cover a range of art and cultural concepts from both international and American artists, additionally compiling works from significant collections and art movements worldwide. Since 1995, IA&A has coordinated "more than 800 exhibition presentations at nearly 500 museums and cultural institutions in all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom."[9] The organization assists in all stages of exhibition planning and presentation from concept development and loan procurement, to venue selection, exhibition catalogue production and transportation arrangements.

Established in April 2006,[4][1] IA&A's on-site gallery serves to better accommodate the local Washington, D.C., arts community. For the second year,[28] Hillyer was named Washington's "Best Gallery of 2012" by the Express newspaper.[29] The exhibition space showcases both regional and international exhibitions that feature emerging artists working in a wide array of media.[30] Additionally, the space serves as an open forum for artistic discussions, events and activities catered to the public.

Exhibitions change monthly and feature both emerging and established artists; the exhibitions are solo, group or thematic in orientation. At Hillyer, work from artists living and working in the mid-Atlantic region, particularly the D.C. area, exists alongside the work of their international peers. By exhibiting this variety of international art adjacent to local works, Hillyer creates a dialogue of cultural exchange.

Hillyer determines the majority of their exhibitions through an annual call[31] selected by their Artist Advisory Committee. Selected artists partner with a member from the Advisory Committee as their exhibition date approaches.[32]

Some of Hillyer's past exhibitions include works by Joan Belmar,[33] Solomon Wondimu,[34] Yar Koporulin[35] and Jessika Tarr.[36]

In 2016, artist Kristy Little's “Falling,” a wall sculpture created with wood and wire, was on view at Hillyer Art Space.[37]

In 2017, artist Blaise Tobia exhibited his series "Plain & Fancy" at Hillyer.[38]

In 2018, Australian artist Georgia Saxelby's project, “To Future Women,” which invites participants to write letters to women 20 years in the future, was presented at IA&A at Hillyer.[39]

In 2019, “Starting from the Island, Contemporary Art from Taiwan" was presented at Hillyer.[40] This exhibit featured artist Kuen-Lin Tsai, among others.

IA&A runs an internationally focused career training program. This U.S. Department of State-approved program allows international trainees to partake in professional training within arts and cultural-related organizations throughout the United States. Each year, IA&A provides visa and job-placement assistance to "about 100 young people from overseas to work in cultural organizations of all sorts — dance companies, theater companies, art museums."[8]

IA&A's Design Studio provides print and web design. It offers print, multimedia and web site design services, as well as copywriting and editing. The Design Studio works with IA&A's Traveling Exhibitions department, IA&A at Hillyer, Cultural Exchange Programs and the Membership Program to provide professional graphic design materials.

This program is temporarily suspended as of 2020.

• Washington, D.C.
• Culture of Washington, D.C.
• David Furchgott
• Hechinger Company
• Man Ray
• Kara Walker
• Marilyn Monroe
• Alexander Archipenko
• Joan Belmar
• Blaise Tobia

• artsandartists.org, the organization's official website
• https://athillyer.org/, official site for IA&A at Hillyer
• intenttodecieve.org, official site for the Intent to Deceive exhibit