The goal of the Arts facet is to produce and support programs to enrich the quality of life of our youth and communities through educational and engaging art experiences while Transforming Communities, Fulfilling Our Purpose. The programming includes arts integration within the Links chapters and partnerships with like-minded organizations, sowing the seed of creativity deeper in our community.

In 2017, the Washington (DC) Arts facet implemented the Arts Facet Performance Series, designed to introduce and expose African-American students at Howard Middle School, Cleveland Elementary and other children in the community to the history of classical music and contributions of musicians of color; encourage and promote diversity in the arts; and encourage exposure of African-American musicians. These programs include the following:

Opera for Fun Youth Outreach “Mini Mozart Master Class”. Partnering with the Coalition of African American Musicians in the Performing Arts (CAAPA), the Mini Mozart Master Class introduced students to the history of classical music, including composer Chevalier de Saint-Georges (called “the Black Mozart”) and concluded with a performance by African-American tenor Wayne Jennings performing an Italian aria.
Performance of “The Woman Who Would be King”. In collaboration with the Services to Youth facet, the Arts facet hosted a play at the Howard Middle School on Queen Hatshepsut, the first female pharaoh in Egypt.
Paintings, Poetry, Puccini and Pasta. Partnering with CAAPA, this family event featured the performance of Puccini arias by an ensemble of classically trained musicians.
Phillips Collection. The Arts facet, in partnership with the Services to Youth facet, hosted the Howard Middle School students for a guided tour of the Jacob Lawrence exhibit at the Phillips Collection.

The Arts