News & Events
Sitar Arts Center Secures $50,000 Grant from Genesis Inspiration Foundation to Empower DC Youth Through Arts Education
WASHINGTON, August 20, 2024 — Sitar Arts Center is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $50,000 grant from The Genesis Inspiration Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to connecting youth to the transformative power of the arts. Now in its sixth year, the Genesis Inspiration Foundation’s 2024 grant cycle will award $3 million to 50 youth arts organizations nationwide.
Sitar Arts Center provides high-quality and accessible arts education to children, teens, and young adults from every Ward of Washington, DC. Fostering a creative community of learning and belonging, Sitar removes financial and cultural barriers to arts education and career training and believes everyone should have access to quality arts education.
“Sitar Arts Center is thrilled to receive this renewed commitment from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation,” says Maureen Dwyer, executive director of Sitar Arts Center. “Their generous grant comes at an exciting time in Sitar’s history as we prepare to celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2025 and open Sitar Next Door, an extension of Sitar Arts Center. This award allows us to continue nurturing a vibrant arts education community in our nation’s capital, empowering hundreds of DC youth to explore their creativity and develop essential life skills. With this support, we can ensure that arts education remains accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance. We are deeply grateful for Genesis Inspiration Foundation’s vision and partnership in nurturing the next generation of artists and creative thinkers.”
Building on a nearly 25-year legacy, Sitar Arts Center serves as a community anchor for DC youth, providing a space where they can explore the transformative power of the arts. Sitar unlocks each child’s creative potential through engaging and joyful learning, driving measurable success in school, the workforce, and personal growth. This community-centered approach ensures that all young people in DC can thrive and achieve their greatest potential.
“Genesis Inspiration Foundation is dedicated to empowering young people across the nation to discover the profound impact of the arts within their communities,” said John Guastaferro, executive director, Genesis Inspiration Foundation. “We are honored to support Sitar Arts Center in our joint effort to broaden access to youth arts education, foster creativity, and open doors to a world of possibilities.”
Founded in 2018, the Genesis Inspiration Foundation has awarded $10 million in grants to school and community-based organizations all over the country to increase opportunities for children to participate in arts programs. The foundation particularly focuses on supporting organizations that serve children from underserved areas and communities, including children with disabilities. Funding for the foundation is made possible through support from Genesis Motor America and retailers in the United States.
About Sitar Arts Center
Founded in 2000, Sitar Arts Center advances equitable access to high quality education and workforce development in the visual, performing, and digital arts. 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. Sitar envisions a city in which all young people experience transformative moments through quality, accessible arts education, and career training, and are supported on their path to discover their creativity and achieve their full potential.
For more information, visit www.sitarartscenter.org.