Partners for


Casino Night 2011

Sitar Arts Center brings a diverse community together to give underserved children and youth the opportunity to explore the visual and performing arts in an afterschool safe haven. The Center partners with volunteer artists and arts organizations to provide comprehensive arts education, nurturing relationships, and high expectations that enable young people to better know and express themselves as they discover and develop their artistic gifts and life skills. With 80% of its school-aged students coming from low-income households, Sitar Arts Center makes arts education affordable and accessible for students and families who otherwise would not have these opportunities. Sitar Arts Center relies on charitable contributions to ensure that no family is ever turned away because of an inability to pay.

The Center fosters personal and artistic growth through the visual arts, music, drama, dance, digital arts, creative writing and early childhood arts education to 800 students a year. Programs are offered by more than 100 volunteer teaching artists and 11 artistic partners that include The Washington Ballet, Corcoran Gallery of Art and the DC Jazz Festival. Sitar's afterschool, weekend and summer programs are designed with the purpose of helping its students: to feel safe and supported; to make positive choices, to develop social and life skills that lead to success; to build artistic skills; to increase self confidence; and to understand the value of sharing their artistic gifts with the community.