The role of arts education in the District of Columbia: Past, present, and future

Arts Education in the United States has become an important area of interest to a network of arts and education agencies and organizations that operate at national, state and local levels. The unique status of the District of Columbia as a center for tremendous arts activity creates great expectations for its arts education offerings. The role of arts education in the District historically has been an important part of basic education only to a select few. In the last decade, with the establishment of various arts institutions and programs, public awareness of and support for arts education have gradually increased. This thesis will examine the role of arts education in the District of Columbia from the federal, state and local perspectives and will make recommendations based on the need for greater collaboration, among city officials, arts administrators, educators and arts advocates.