Arts Department

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.

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.