Overview

Arts education in DC Public Schools cultivates students’ ability to create and empowers them to use their voice with courage. 

DCPS Arts cultivates students’ creativity, empowers their voices, and builds the problem-solving and communication skills they need to thrive. Through the Framework for Arts Learning, students from pre-K through graduation explore music, visual arts, theatre, and dance—creating, performing, responding, and connecting across disciplines while engaging with complex issues and multiple perspectives through the arts. 

Student Engagement 

The DCPS Arts curriculum, guided by the Framework for Arts Learning, provides a consistent vision for arts education from pre-K through graduation. Students engage deeply in creating, performing, responding, and connecting across music, visual arts, theatre, and dance, while developing multi-modal literacies. Instruction emphasizes process over product, encouraging students to take creative risks, embrace productive struggle, and grow through exploration and reflection. Teachers serve as facilitators, guiding students to investigate universal themes, think critically, and collaborate across disciplines. 

Access to arts learning is a priority throughout a student’s DCPS experience. 

• Elementary School: Minimum of 45 minutes per week in both music and visual arts, plus opportunities for museum visits and live performances. 
• Middle School: At least one semester each year in both music and visual arts. 
• High School: At least 0.5 credits in both music and visual arts to graduate, with expanded opportunities in diverse media and disciplines to ensure college and career readiness. 

Opportunities 

Students engage in performances, field trips, residencies, and collaborations with local arts organizations, connecting classroom learning to the vibrant arts community in the nation’s capital. 

 

 

Learn More 

For more information on curriculum, partnerships, and student opportunities, visit artsdcps.com.

Contact Information

Mary Lambert, Director, Arts
Patrick McDonough, Manager, Visual Arts
Robert Battle, Manager, Music & Performing Arts
Yan Carlos Colón, Manager, Music