News & Events
Sitar Arts Center Announces Leadership Transition: Executive Director Maureen Dwyer to Step Down After 15 Years of Transformative Leadership
Sitar Arts Center Announces Leadership Transition: Executive Director Maureen Dwyer to Step Down After 15 Years of Transformative Leadership
Sitar Arts Center announces that Executive Director Maureen Dwyer will step down from her role after 15 years of dedicated executive leadership in June of 2026. Under Maureen’s guidance, Sitar has grown into an essential community anchor, providing thousands of young people with access to high-quality, affordable arts education and pathways to promising careers in the creative industries.
Maureen has been a champion for the power of the arts to drive equity and inclusion. She has worked tirelessly to expand community engagement efforts, ensuring that families, local organizations, and the broader D.C. arts community see Sitar as a vibrant hub for creativity, expression, and connection. Her leadership has not only strengthened Sitar’s internal infrastructure but also positioned it as a thought-leader for collective advocacy and building effective partnerships in the fields of arts education and youth development.
Throughout her 27 years, Sitar has grown from a small afterschool program into the vibrant, year-round arts community center it is today. As Deputy Director and, since 2011 as Executive Director, she helped guide that evolution—increasing enrollment to nearly 900 students annually, expanding our artistic and workforce partnerships from 12 to nearly 40, and co-founding important coalitions such as the DC Arts Education Alliance and The Platform of Hope. Sitar’s programming has also deepened and diversified, from launching the Bloomberg Arts Internship and building Sitar’s creative career development programs to strengthening early childhood arts and summer offerings.
During her tenure, Sitar’s operating budget has tripled, growing from $1.4 million to $4.5 million, and its staff has expanded from 13 to 26 full- and part-time team members. Its physical footprint has nearly doubled—first with an expansion of Sitar’s current site at 1700 Kalorama Road. NW and then the purchase of Sitar Next Door at 1724 Kalorama Road NW, which will open doors of opportunity for hundreds more youth each year. Through three successful capital campaigns since 2011, Sitar has raised a total of $9.7 million to meet essential community needs and fuel a bold, resilient vision for the future. Along the way, Sitar’s collective work has been recognized with honors such as the 2015 Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management and the 2017 Mayor’s Arts Award.
Maureen has been instrumental in expanding Sitar’s reach, deepening community partnerships, and ensuring that all students—regardless of background—can explore their creativity and develop their talents in a nurturing environment. Her visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on Sitar and the arts education landscape in Washington, D.C.
As she transitions from her role, Maureen will leave behind a thriving, dynamic institution that continues to shape the future of the arts and provide young people with the tools they need to succeed. Her legacy is one of vision, impact, and unwavering dedication—a true testament to the transformative power of leadership in the arts. Sitar’s Board of Directors, under the leadership of President Jade Floyd, and Executive Team, will work with Maureen on the search for her successor over the coming months. Sitar will launch a national search for its next Executive Director in January 2026. The transition will be a thoughtful and inclusive process to ensure the organization continues to thrive and build upon the strong foundation Maureen has helped establish.
As Sitar prepares for this next chapter, its leadership and staff remain deeply committed to the organization’s mission and the vibrant community it serves. Everyone at Sitar is incredibly grateful for Maureen’s leadership and looks forward to celebrating her legacy in the months ahead.
For updates on the search process and opportunities to celebrate Maureen’s impact, please check back here.