Sitar Arts Center

Sitar Arts Center Where DC Youth Belong, Aspire, & Achieve Each semester, 80% of students are from DC households at 60% or less of the area median income.

Sitar Arts Center engages DC youth, from early childhood to young adulthood, in building a creative community of learning and belonging that removes financial and cultural barriers to arts education and career training. At Sitar Arts Center, students engage in affordable, high-quality education and workforce development in the visual, digital, and performing arts. Programs take place year-round du

ring out-of-school time in Sitar’s state-of-the-art facilities. Our work is made possible through the partnership of volunteer teaching artists who donate their time and our amazing artistic partners, including DC Jazz Festival, The Washington Ballet, Young Playwrights’ Theater, and more.

What does 17 years of trust look like?It looks like parents dropping their child off on the first day and knowing they'l...
06/02/2026

What does 17 years of trust look like?

It looks like parents dropping their child off on the first day and knowing they'll be welcomed.

It looks like campers returning summer after summer.

It looks like teaching artists who inspire young people to try something new, take creative risks, and discover talents they didn't know they had.

And in just a few weeks, we'll get to see it all happen again.

The countdown to Camp Sitar is on. 🎨🎭🎶

How did we pull off another spectacular spring semester? The math is simple! Just add:1 safe space for DC youth to grow,...
05/29/2026

How did we pull off another spectacular spring semester? The math is simple! Just add:

1 safe space for DC youth to grow, create, and belong
+
265 young artists
75 teaching artists
45 Arts Afterschool classes
35 student showcase performances
11 faculty and staff performances
29 exhibiting artists
and countless smiles✨

Shhh! We're recharging...Last week, we held our annual silent retreat - a time for Sitar staff to reflect, relax, and cr...
05/28/2026

Shhh! We're recharging...

Last week, we held our annual silent retreat - a time for Sitar staff to reflect, relax, and create together. We're so grateful to have a team that values community and understands the importance of moments like this.

05/26/2026

Set in DC Film Festival 2026
🥇Young Adult | 1st Place Winner: "A Love Erased" Directed by Andrew Shaffer

In "A Love Erased", two strangers form an instant connection, but struggle with the feeling that their paths may have crossed before.

See this film alongside our other award winners at Adams Morgan Movie Nights hosted by !

📆Thursday, June 11
📍Marie Reed Soccer Field
🕝After sunset (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.)

05/22/2026

Set in DC Film Festival 2026
🥈Young Adult | 2nd Place Winner: "Afro" Directed by Dale Sampson

"Afro" follows a young African American girl grappling with her self-image as she attempts to do her hair in the absence of her older sister.

See this film alongside our other award winners at Adams Morgan Movie Nights hosted by !

📆Thursday, June 11
📍Marie Reed Soccer Field
🕝After sunset (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.)

05/21/2026

Set in DC Film Festival 2026
🥈Youth | 2nd Place Winner: "The Story of Byron Mejia" Directed by Adam Bernal
This documentary short follows the account of a man detained by ICE on August 2025 after the federal takeover of Washington, D.C., and his family's fight to bring him home.

See this film alongside our other award winners at Adams Morgan Movie Nights hosted by .

📆Thursday, June 11
📍Marie Reed Soccer Field
🕝After sunset (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.)

05/20/2026

Set in DC Film Festival 2026
🥇Youth | 1st Place Winner: "Shoes" Directed by Ryan Crean
In this coming-of-age story, a young man is forced to come to terms with his future as he struggles to pick out a pair of shoes.

See this film alongside our other award winners at Adams Morgan Movie Nights hosted by Adams Morgan!

📆Thursday, June 11
📍Marie Reed Soccer Field
🕝After sunset (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.)

“What I really enjoyed was seeing all these films through the lens of youth and what is meaningful for them.”Sitar’s 202...
05/19/2026

“What I really enjoyed was seeing all these films through the lens of youth and what is meaningful for them.”

Sitar’s 2026 Set in DC Film Festival was a powerful reminder of what happens when young artists are given the space and trust to tell their stories. From bold ideas to deeply personal narratives, every film reflected the creativity, curiosity, and vision of a new generation of filmmakers.

We’re still thinking about the moments that made us laugh, reflect, and see the world a little differently. And we can’t wait to see where these storytellers go next.

Congratulations to our winning filmmakers
🥇Andrew Shaffer
Young Adult - 1st Place Winner
“A Love Erased”

🥈Dale Sampson
Young Adult - 2nd Place Winner
“Afro”

🥇Ryan Crean
Youth - 1st Place Winner
“Shoes”

🥈Adam Bernal
Youth - 2nd Place Winner
“The Story of Byron Mejia”

Thank you for our judges
• Jaelan Price- Senior Associate at Adwell Media Production
• Leslie Shampaine- Director of “Call Me Dancer”
• Merawi Gerima- Filmmaker, “Residue”

"What I really enjoyed was seeing all these films through the lens of youth and what is meaningful for them."Sitar's 202...
05/19/2026

"What I really enjoyed was seeing all these films through the lens of youth and what is meaningful for them."

Sitar's 2026 Set in DC Film Festival was a powerful reminder of what happens when young artists are given the space and trust to tell their stories. From bold ideas to deeply personal narratives, every film reflected the creativity, curiosity, and vision of a new generation of filmmakers.

We’re still thinking about the moments that made us laugh, reflect, and see the world a little differently. And we can’t wait to see where these storytellers go next.

Congratulations to our winning filmmakers
🥇Andrew Shaffer
Young Adult - 1st Place Winner
"A Love Erased"

🥈Dale Sampson
Young Adult - 2nd Place Winner
"Afro"

🥇Ryan Crean
Youth - 1st Place Winner
"Shoes"

🥈Adam Bernal
Youth - 2nd Place Winner
"The Story of Byron Mejia"

Thank you for our judges
• Jaelan Price- Senior Associate at Adwell Media Production
• Leslie Shampaine- Director of "Call Me Dancer"
• Merawi Gerima- Filmmaker, "Residue"

"Thank you for making us feel valued and opening up possibilities to us."✨Last week, students, alum, and community membe...
05/15/2026

"Thank you for making us feel valued and opening up possibilities to us."✨

Last week, students, alum, and community members came together to celebrate our Maureen Dwyer. The evening highlighted the lasting impact of her leadership as Sitar's executive director. Each powerful performance and heartfelt reflection reflected 27 years of care, creativity, and commitment to D.C. youth.

From those just starting their journey at Sitar to those carrying it forward beyond our walls, her impact was felt in every voice, every performance, every tribute.

We’re so grateful for all that Maureen has built, and for the community that will continue to grow because of her. Please join us in wishing her well has she prepares to start her next chapter.

Address

Washington D.C., DC

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 2pm

Telephone

+12027972145

Website

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