Impact

Did you know? Sitar students love it here!

That’s what they told us in 2024, giving their experience at Sitar Arts Center an outstanding 3.8 out of 4 rating.

Every day, DC youth walk through our doors eager to create, learn, and grow. Thanks to our incredible community, we made a lasting impact in 2024. Read on to explore our 2024 impact report! 

Every moment at Sitar is an investment in a young person’s future. From artistic exploration in the arts to real-world job experience through workforce development programs, Sitar equips DC youth with the skills and experiences needed to succeed.

• 368 youth, ages 0-24, in Early Childhood Arts & Arts Afterschool

• 143 youth, ages 6-14, in Camp Sitar

• 88 teens, ages 14-22, Sitar’s Emerging Arts Leaders & Bloomberg Arts Internship

• 12 apprentices, ages 18-24, through ArtsAdvance: Career Studios

Realizing Sitar’s vision of a city where all young people experience transformative moments through the arts requires a community committed to creating opportunities for DC youth to explore their creativity, build confidence, and shape their future.

In 2024, 190 volunteers, seasonal faculty, and program assistants helped us bring our mission to life.

• 3.3 out of 4: Average student rating for having an adult at Sitar who is interested in their thoughts

• 3.5 out of 4: Average student rating for having an adult at Sitar they can turn to when upset

• 3.6 out of 4: Average student rating for having an adult at Sitar who helps them solve problems

• 3.6 out of 4: Average student rating for having an adult at Sitar who listens to and respects them

Year after year, families return to Sitar, knowing it provides a safe and welcoming space where young people can grow, learn, and thrive.

• 3 out of 5 students from 2023 enrolled in 2024 programming

Sitar’s creative workforce, professional development, and continuing education programs bridge the gap between education and the workforce, equipping teens and young adults with valuable experience and skills—free from the financial barriers that limit access to professional growth.

In 2024, Sitar’s creative workforce programs grew by 36% compared to the previous year.

By the end of their 2024 apprenticeships and summer internships, teens and young adults gained valuable skills, leading to:

• 73% of Sitar’s Emerging Arts Leaders rated their workforce skills as “very good” or “excellent”

• 61% of Bloomberg Arts interns demonstrated college-level essay writing skills

• 100% of ArtsAdvance graduates earned professional certification in Adobe Photoshop