Sitar Arts Center, D.C

Expanding Access to Arts Education: Supporting Sitar Arts Center in Washington, DC

The Gatsby Showcase Foundation is committed to expanding access to quality education and creative opportunity for young people from historically underserved communities. Through strategic support of arts education organizations, the Foundation helps remove financial and cultural barriers that limit access to learning, self-expression, and career pathways.

A key example of this commitment is the Foundation’s ongoing support of the Sitar Arts Center in Washington, DC—an organization dedicated to providing inclusive arts education, mentorship, and career development opportunities for youth and adults across the region.

Advancing Arts Education and Youth Development

In October 2023, the Gatsby Showcase Foundation provided sponsorship to Sitar Arts Center in support of its mission to engage students from early childhood through adulthood in high-quality arts education. Sitar offers a broad range of programs including after-school classes, summer camps, and career readiness initiatives designed to nurture creativity, build confidence, and prepare participants for future academic and professional success.

By supporting these programs, the Foundation advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by helping ensure that students have access to enriching educational experiences regardless of socioeconomic background.

Investing in Creative Pathways and Career Readiness

Beyond arts instruction, Sitar Arts Center emphasizes mentorship and career development, equipping students with transferable skills that support long-term economic mobility. This approach aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to Economic Empowerment, recognizing the arts as a viable pathway to professional growth within the creative economy.

In October 2024, the Gatsby Showcase Foundation continued its support as a sponsor of Sitar Arts Center’s annual gala, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainability, access, and long-term impact within arts education.

Building Inclusive Opportunities Through the Arts

The Gatsby Showcase Foundation believes that access to arts education fosters not only creative expression, but also leadership, resilience, and opportunity. By partnering with organizations like Sitar Arts Center, the Foundation helps cultivate environments where young people can explore their talents, develop their voices, and pursue futures shaped by possibility rather than limitation.

UN SDG Alignment

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: Expanding access to arts education, mentorship, and career readiness programs for youth from underserved communities.

• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Supporting pathways into the creative economy through skills development and workforce preparation.

• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Reducing financial and cultural barriers that limit access to educational and professional opportunities in the arts.

• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Advancing impact through collaboration with community-based arts institutions such as Sitar Arts Center