Washington Performing Arts Society

Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit, multidisciplinary, performing arts presenting organizations. Its three-part mission is to:

• provide the Washington community with performing arts presentations of the highest quality and of varied content and tradition

• support and nurture performing artists and their art forms

• provide lifelong learning opportunities through arts education, youth involvement, and community partnerships

WPAS brings the world’s greatest talent to the nation’s capital. Yo-Yo Ma, Renee Fleming, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spaulding, Pilobolus – all have graced our stages. We have established relationships with the world’s top artists and enjoy an unparalleled record for identifying the stars of tomorrow. Through relationships with multiple venues throughout the Washington area, we are able to provide these artists with performance opportunities at every point in their careers.

WPAS is also the leading provider of arts education services to students in the DC public schools. Every year, we spend nearly $1 million to provide educational and outreach programs to more than 100,000 children, families and seniors throughout the metro area, including:

• curriculum-based arts education and training programs in metro area public schools

• summer arts camps that provide full scholarships for every student

• an innovative and award-winning cultural awareness curriculum that links DC Public School classrooms with embassies

• free concerts for the area’s most vulnerable at more than 70 local community centers, senior centers, hospitals and nursing homes.

Our artistic and educational programs and commitments are funded by foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Contributed income accounts for more than half of our annual revenues.

WPAS has a full-time, year-round professional administrative staff and an annual budget of $8 million. It is governed by a Board of Directors which represents the diversity of the Washington area community. The WPAS Women's Committee plays a significant role in fundraising and provides vital volunteer support to the organization’s education and outreach programs.

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