Washington, DC

A mural celebrating Anacostia was designed and painted in partnership with students from Anacostia High School and Turner Elementary, with support from Kennedy Center and Project Create. 

Yo-Yo Ma played the Prélude from Bach’s first cello suite to open the day. A moment of reflection on the past, celebration of the present, and hope for the future.

Local students came together to celebrate Anacostia’s cultural history, explore local economic opportunities, and workshop ideas for building their community’s future.

District leaders, small business owners, artists, and community members came together to discuss building local equity in a conversation using Playback Theater models, which encourage personal storytelling and reflection. Representatives from across sectors, including business, government, and arts and culture, participated in an engaging public forum followed by panel conversation.

The Anacostia Arts Center opened a double exhibit in partnership with two Southeast DC galleries, representing six local artists on themes of Afrofuturism and black equity. The small businesses in the arts center and in downtown Anacostia, all with a cultural focus (fashion store Nubian Hueman, micro-business collective and theater space The Den Reading Room & Artist Exchange, Mahogany Books, We Act Radio, Check It, an LGBTQ fashion label, and more) participated in an open house, with local beer and food, a DJ, and special offers for attendees. A boutique concert featuring celebrated bassist Esperanza Spalding and local performers “popped up” in Nubian Hueman, and Yo-Yo Ma led the gallery artists in a short public conversation about their work.

#cultureconnectsus

In association with Arts Across America, a Kennedy Center program