Washington, D.C.

What’s happening the next few weeks:

* The first Kennedy Center Celebration of American Humor, beginning Sunday, will include lectures, symposiums and master classes, and will culminate in the Concert Hall on Tuesday when Richard Pryor, right, will be presented with the inaugural Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize. The program will feature Chevy Chase, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Damon Wayans, Robin Williams and others, and will be taped by Comedy Central for cable television broadcast. New Hampshire Avenue, NW, and the Rock Creek Parkway. (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.

* At the National Gallery of Art through Jan. 18: “Van Gogh’s Van Goghs: Masterpieces From the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.” Through Jan. 3: “Bernini’s Rome: Italian Baroque Terracottas From the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.” Sunday-Jan. 3: “Gifts to the Nation From Mr. and Mrs. John Hay Whitney.” Constitution Avenue, NW, between 3rd and 7th streets. (202) 737-4215.

* “Chuck Close,” a 30-year retrospective featuring the American artist’s often arresting images of the human face, today-Jan. 10, at the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue at 7th Street, SW. (202) 357-2700.

* At the National Museum of African Art through Nov. 29: “African Forms in the Furniture of Pierre Legrain” explores how African objects that came into Paris from the French colonies in the 1890s inspired European artists. 950 Independence Ave., SW. (202) 357-4600.

* At Ford’s Theatre through Nov. 15: Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” Nov. 21-Jan. 3: Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” 11 10th St., NW. (202) 638-2941.