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Sitar Arts Center Celebrates 25 Years of Empowering DC Youth to Find Their Voice Through Art
Sitar Arts Center Celebrates 25 Years of Empowering DC Youth to Find Their Voice Through Art
Adams Morgan’s Beloved Community Hub Expands with a New Arts Center and a Year of Milestone Events
WASHINGTON (February 25, 2025) – This year, Sitar Arts Center proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary—marking a quarter-century of providing transformative arts education and community engagement that has empowered youth and enriched families throughout Washington, D.C.
Since opening its doors in a small Adams Morgan basement in 2000, Sitar Arts Center has grown into a vibrant hub of creativity and connection, annually engaging up to 900 students through high-quality, accessible arts programs. Over the years, Sitar has become a cornerstone of equitable arts access in the District, providing youth a safe space to explore their creativity, build confidence, and unlock their potential.
“This milestone is a testament to the thousands of students, families, volunteers, and supporters who have made Sitar Arts Center a special place of learning and belonging,” said Maureen Dwyer, executive director of Sitar Arts Center. “As we celebrate 25 years, we reflect on how far we’ve come and look forward to the future as we deepen our impact, expand our reach, and continue building a creative community that transforms lives through the power of the arts.”
The 25th anniversary year will also usher in the grand opening of Sitar Next Door, a new extension of the Center. This expansion will allow Sitar to welcome more students, expand its programming, and strengthen its role as a community anchor in the District’s Adams Morgan neighborhood.
Throughout the year, Sitar will host a series of special events celebrating its legacy and future, including:
- The 15th Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Exhibition, opening on March 6, which explores the theme of “Reflections” and provides emerging artists a valuable platform to showcase their work.
- International Art and Found Day on March 12, where Sitar will spread the joy of art by placing 25 creative works–created by students, faculty and staff–throughout the community for people to find and freely take home at no cost.
- The 2025 Set in D.C. Film Festival, inviting submissions through April 21 from young D.C. filmmakers exploring “Love in All Its Forms.”
- A community-wide celebration in September bringing together students, alumni, families, and supporters.
- The 25th Anniversary Gala, an evening dedicated to celebrating Sitar’s remarkable journey and its impact on the lives of D.C. youth.
- Opportunities to tour Sitar Next Door and experience the transformative work happening at the Center.
All are welcome to join Sitar Arts Center in celebrating 25 years of art and community. Throughout the year, Sitar invites residents to get involved by attending events, volunteering their time, or supporting Sitar’s mission in innovative, impactful ways.
“Together, we have built something extraordinary,” said Dwyer. “We are deeply grateful to our community for making this journey possible, and we look forward to creating even greater opportunities for the next generation of D.C. youth.”
For more details on our 25th anniversary celebrations and initiatives, or to support our mission, please visit www.sitarartscenter.org.
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 D.C. 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.