Life in Education
In the Kennedy Center Education Department, we don’t believe that education is limited to the classroom. We exist to bring the arts to learners of all ages and abilities. We do this through replicable, evidence-based models, programs and resources—offerings that draw from the Kennedy Center’s national network of artists, partner organizations, educators, and researchers. Four decades of experience have informed the ways we support educators and learners, as we consistently work to engage them creatively, effectively, and
Our Education Department consists of five main teams, which work together to support the Education Department’s mission, but also manage their own unique programs and scopes. They are:
- The Education Operations and Outreach team manages and maintains systems and logistics for Education programs and events, including registering school attendees for events at the Kennedy Center. They work across the department to support the programming teams and serve as the point of contact for Education patrons.The team also maintains and curates the Kennedy Center's Digital Resources Library, produces learning guides for all school performances, and facilitates the creation and revision of all Education web content.
- The Education Programs and Productions (EdPP) team produces and presents Theater, Dance, Music, and other performances for young people and their families. EdPP also runs career development programs and opportunities for young artists in these disciplines, like KCACTF, Dance Lab, and music intensives.
- The School and Community Programs(SCP) team works directly with local and national schools, educators, and arts organizations to foster arts learning and arts integration in classrooms. Through residencies, workshops, conferences, and community events, SCP cultivates the arts as an integral part of every child’s education.
- The Research and Evaluation team works across the department to collect research in the field of arts integration and education, and provides instrumental support in the grant writing process.
- The VSA and Accessibility team provides access support and information to ensure that all programs, in all forms, are accessible to all types of learners and audience members.
Team Mission
We view arts education as a mechanism for change. At the Kennedy Center, we strive to engage and uplift all learners through quality arts education—in ways that spark curiosity, build empathy, and embolden citizen artistry.