Funding Follows Accolades for WWPR Pro Bono Client Sitar Arts Center
It’s nothing but good news this summer over at the Sitar Arts Center: first, a Tony Award nod, then a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)! In June, Sitar’s Senior Director of Programs A. Lorraine Robinson received a 2018 Excellence in Theatre Education Honorable Mention Award at this year’s Tonys in recognition of her embodiment of the highest standards of the profession and impact on the lives of her students. Robinson shared that winning this award was a “dream come true” for her. Later in June, the NEA announced an award of $20,000 in funding to Sitar for its Arts Afterschool and Camp Sitar programs, which provide students with arts experiences that build student and civic engagement as well as professional skills. During the school year, Arts Afterschool offers more than 160 multidisciplinary arts classes and private instrumental music lessons. As students progress in age and artistic interests, the Center offers opportunities through which students can simultaneously engage more deeply in their chosen art form, prepare for college through skills-building workshops, and build civic engagement through community service and community outings. And during the summer, Camp Sitar programming builds creative writing, digital arts, studio arts, performing arts, and professional development skills among more than 225 young people each year. Sitar’s 50 summer-long paid internships also offers community youths employment as mural artists, theatre technicians and classroom assistants. WWPR is proud to provide communications support to the award-winning Sitar as its 2018-2019 pro bono client. For 25 years, WWPR has supported local non-profit organizations that serve women and children through its pro bono program. Founded in 2000, Sitar Arts Center is committed to providing year-round arts programs that foster personal and artistic growth to more than 800 students, of which 80 percent come from low-income households in the Washington, DC area. Its mission is to provide creative youth development programs that cultivate a rigorous, yet nurturing environment where elementary, middle and high school students of all backgrounds engage in high-quality, student-centered arts learning. Visit their website to find out more about the great work that Sitar is doing!