Office of Arts
The District 75 Office of Arts Education is committed to empowering students through equitable access to high-quality, arts-based instruction that fosters achievement in communication, socialization, self-expression, independence, and artistic proficiency. We believe every student has a unique artistic voice and the potential to thrive through creative expression.
Our mission is to:
- Provide meaningful, research-based resources and professional development to educators and arts partners, ensuring instruction is adapted to meet individual student needs and support IEP goals.
- Foster partnerships with cultural institutions and community organizations to promote inclusion, community integration, and career readiness.
- Expand opportunities for student engagement with the arts—in schools and throughout the community—to enrich lives, elevate voices, and build futures.
Through the arts, we strive to help every student thrive, communicate, and be seen.
District 75 Office of Arts Education: Core Program Areas
Instructional Support and Teacher Development
We provide targeted professional development centered on evidence-based practices across Visual Art, Music, Theater, Dance, and Moving Image. Our goal is to support educators in creating inclusive, engaging learning environments that foster academic growth, social-emotional awareness, and student independence. Additionally, we develop instructional programs that increase students’ opportunities to engage with the vibrant arts community throughout New York City.
Partners with cultural institutions to connect classrooms to the broader community, with a focus on peer-to-peer socialization, communication, independence, and self-awareness both in the classroom and in museum settings. Collaborates with Arts Partners to co-create curricular resources that support inclusive and meaningful arts learning.
Learn more: MoMA + District 75 Collaboration | Identity -Based Learning through Art
Community Integration
Through partnerships with cultural institutions, we connect classrooms to the wider community, emphasizing peer-to-peer socialization, communication, independence, and self-awareness both in the classroom and in museum settings. These experiences help students build meaningful relationships and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
Career Readiness
In collaboration with the Office of Transition Services, we work with arts organizations to develop courses and internships that build work readiness skills while allowing students to explore arts careers. Our work supports schools in developing work-based learning programs focused on the arts, helping students prepare for future career trajectories that reflect their interests and strengths.
Family Engagement
We partner with community organizations and cultural institutions to offer family-centered activities and experiences that enrich student learning and foster strong connections between families, schools, and the arts community.
Student Events and Special Projects
The District 75 Office of Arts Education proudly presents a series of special projects and student-centered events that celebrate creativity, amplify student voice, and build inclusive artistic communities across New York City. These initiatives offer students unique opportunities to showcase their talents, elevate their voices, collaborate with peers, and engage with the wider arts community.
Our annual events include the D75 Festival of the Arts, the D75 Film Festival, the D75 Modern Band Festival, and ART 75, our student art exhibition. These programs elevate the diverse artistic voices of District 75 students and create meaningful platforms for self-expression and recognition. These events empower students to be seen, heard, and celebrated through the transformative power of the arts.
We also support student leadership and advocacy through the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC), where students collaborate to better their school communities, share insights, and build leadership skills.
Additionally, the Saturday Arts Academy provides weekend enrichment opportunities across all boroughs that deepen creative learning and build community connections beyond the school day. Empowering families to engage with Arts-focused community partners to join life-long communities.
