Exploring partnerships between professional arts organizations and the District of Columbia public school system

This study examines the partnerships developed between the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and three professional arts organizations, the National Symphony Orchestra, The Washington Opera and The Choral Arts Society of Washington. Educational programs offered to DCPS elementary schools by these institutions were compared to the National Standards for Arts Education, upon which DCPS's arts curriculum is based. The analysis focuses on the content standards these programs meet, and how they can help DCPS students in achieving curriculum goals in the arts. The study concluded the programs are an asset to DCPS because they offer access to musical experiences that cannot be found in a classroom setting. Recommendations are made for both improving the individual programs and the partnerships, to provide even greater benefit to both DCPS and the arts organizations. A model of a successful partnership between a school district and a professional arts organization is also developed.