Workshop Series: Become an Improvisational Educator
2025-01-30 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Halifax) | National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20005, United States
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Become an Improvisational Educator
Jan. 30, Feb 6, and Apr 3 | 1 PM – 4 PM
Join us for an inspiring workshop series!
This professional development series, led by Center for Inspired Teaching, invites arts and humanities education professionals to explore strategies for overcoming obstacles in student engagement, fostering connection, and developing an improvisational mindset. Participants will discuss approaches to accommodating learning disabilities, identify resources that enhance their teaching, and gain tools for navigating the unpredictable with confidence and creativity.
The program is best suited for cultural professionals who have direct engagement with students. This may include teaching artists, practitioners, program managers, educators, etc.
Workshop dates and topics:

Jan 30 | 1 PM to 4 PM – Foundations of the ABCDE of Learner Needs and essential tools
Feb 6 | 1 PM to 4 PM – Put it into practice
April 3 | 1 PM to 4 PM – Reflection and feedback

Participants will be compensated for their time with a $150 honorarium.

Please confirm your availability for workshop dates before registering. The 25 participants will be required to complete a pre-survey, W9, and agreement form.

Workshop registration is open on a rolling basis, with spaces allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of additional participant submissions, we will be hosting a waitlist.
The workshop will take place in the classroom at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
♿️ Accessibility
DC Collaborative is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. To request an accommodation, please email info@dccollaborative.org at least 4 days before the event.

This project is supported in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Register Here

Social X Change: Black History Power Hour | We've Come This Far
2025-02-25 12:00 - 13:00 | DC
Register Here
Social X Change: Black History Power Hour | We’ve Come This Far
Tuesday, Feb 25 at noon on Zoom
Free to attend | Registration is required
Join us virtually for a peer-led discussion on how the collective efforts of the DC Black Arts community can support the next generation of creatives, artists, and cultural leaders by learning about and continuing the impact their community has already begun. The conversation will explore the challenges currently faced, what steps need to be taken, and practical action items that can be implemented both at home and in the workplace.
Ashlee McKinnon, on why this conversation is important:
“DC’s rich culture, heritage, and artistry was cultivated through poets, musicians, academics, performers, and activists, many of African descent. Gentrification and cultural erasure have caused the next generation to become disconnected from the legacy of these heroes. As a performance artist and teacher in the DMV area, it is essential to have the knowledge and tools to provide to our younger generation. The DC Black Arts community has come too far to not let our history continue.”
Conversation facilitated by
Ashlee McKinnon, Director of Education Development and Partnerships at DC Collaborative
We are committed to ensuring this event is accessible to all participants. Captioning will be available via Zoom. Please let us know if we can offer additional support by emailing info@dccollaborative.org at least four days before the event.

Brunch with DC Collaborative
2025-04-26 13:00 | Barcode, 1101 17th St NW, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
Register Here
Brunch with DC Collaborative
Saturday, April 26 at 1 PM
Join us for Brunch supporting DC Collaborative, where a good time meets a great cause! Enjoy an afternoon of a delicious buffet, refreshing mimosas, and inspiring conversations while helping us expand arts and humanities education for DC students.
Brunch will include a live DJ, Disco Bingo, and prizes for the top on-site donors!
🗓️ Saturday, April 26, 1 PM – 3 PM
📍 Bardcode DC 1101 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Details:
$60 | Brunch Buffet with bottomless mimosas included
$40 | Brunch Buffet Only
💵 Cash payment required on site
🪪 Attendees must be 21+ with a government-issued ID
View menu here: Barcode Brunch Menu
*Ticket price does not include buffet

Teacher Appreciation Happy Hour! 🥂
2025-05-09 18:00 - 20:00 | La Cosecha, 1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
Free to Attend | Registration Required
REGISTER HERE
You’re invited to Happy Hour!
Friday, May 9th 6 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us in celebrating and sharing gratitude for our local educators! We are so thankful for every teacher, teaching artist, and arts and humanities educator in our community for their tireless work in enriching our students artistically and academically.
We celebrate you for your inspiration, care, and impact on the next generation! Your work is imperative, and it has not gone unnoticed! Click here to learn more about how we support educators all year round.
Connect with teachers, teaching artists, and arts education supporters as you enjoy the festive atmosphere at La Cosecha, a contemporary marketplace offering Latin American food and drink.
We’ll host a fun, casual bingo game and have on-site raffle prizes like a beautiful, fresh bouquet from Flor Del Soul, a membership to Tudor Place, and more! And Peruvian Brothers is hosting an extended Happy Hour just for us! Buy one get one half off of their Pisco Sour Slushie.
Getting there
1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Ample parking available throughout Union Market District
Metro Access
Take the Red Line to the NoMA-Gallaudet U stop. Turn right on Florida Avenue NE. Turn Left on 4th Street NE or 5th Street NE to enter Union Market District.
Bus Access
Union Market District is accessible by the U St-Garfield Metrobus lines (90, 92 and 93). Bus stops are located on the north and south side of the 400 block of Florida Avenue NE with service to Adams Morgan going west and Anacostia heading south.
Accessibility
DC Collaborative is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. To request an accommodation, please email info@dccollaborative.org at least 4 days before the event. This venue is wheelchair accessible.

VIRTUAL | How to get your program to DC schools
2025-06-05 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Register Here
Thurs. June 5 | 2:00 | On Zoom
Get connected to DC Schools!
Join us for a virtual information session for organizations and individuals interested in providing an education program through Arts and Humanities for Every Student (AHFES).
AHFES Programming
Arts and Humanities for Every Student (AHFES) programs are one-time, synchronous events that include: interactive workshops, live-streamed performances/programs, student matinees, visits to museums, and assemblies offered at NO COST to DC Public and Public Charter Schools. These programs are provided to students in grades Pre-K through 12th grade and must align with appropriate grade-level curriculum and standards.
The information session will cover:

How to become a Program Provider with DC Collaborative
What programs best fit into our Program Catalogue development
Best practices for instruction
How to increase the accessibility of your program

Who should attend:
Those interested in providing supplementary arts and humanities education opportunities, such as local teaching artists, education program managers at arts, humanities, and cultural organizations, local historians and storytellers, and performers
Virtual | Free to attend | Registration Required
Register Here

Social X Change: Understanding Accessibility
2025-06-26 12:00 - 13:00 | DC
Register Here
Social X Change: Understanding Accessibility
Thursday, June 26th at Noon on Zoom
Free to attend | Registration is required
Join us for an engaging peer-led discussion on understanding accessibility!
In our most recent District Data Initiative report, we found that disability awareness and accommodations are not fully understood. To help, we’re assembling local experts to answer your questions about accessibility, the tools you can use, and where you can find the resources you need.
Who should attend: educators, teaching artists, workshop facilitators, program leaders, and anyone directly interfacing with students through an arts and humanities program.
We are committed to ensuring this event is accessible to all participants. Captioning will be available via Zoom. Please let us know if we can offer additional support by emailing info@dccollaborative.org at least four days before the event.

DC Collaborative's Annual Community Meeting
2025-07-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
Register Here
DC Collaborative’s Annual Community Meeting
Free to attend | Registration Required
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 2 PM – 4 PM
Let’s come together to get energized for the next school year! Join local creatives, changemakers, and supporters for our annual Community Meeting.
Agenda:

Kick off with an exciting guest speaker (TBA)
The launch of our brand new mission statement and strategic plan!
Updates on our Education Programs and Teaching Artist Network

What to expect:

Meet fellow artists, educators, community leaders, and more!
Connect with local organizations
Learn about resources that can support your creative endeavors
Time to tour the current exhibitions
Light refreshments

Hosted by the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum.
The Anacostia Community Museum is wheelchair accessible. Read more here.
Live closed captioning will be available via StreamText, accessible on any mobile device. Please request an accommodation by July 16th or ask any accommodation-related questions by emailing: info@dccollaborative.org.

Teacher Orientation with DC Collaborative
2025-08-21 16:30 - 17:30 | Online
Register Here
Teacher Orientation with DC Collaborative
Free to attend | Registration Required
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 4:30 PM
Join us for a virtual orientation on our Fall 2025 Arts and Humanities Programming Cycle.
Our Education Programs Catalogue includes multi-day residencies and one time events like interactive workshops, live-streamed performances, student matinees, visits to museums, assemblies, and more, offered at NO COST to DCPS and DC-PCS. The programs found in our Education Program Catalogue span grades Pre-K to 12th grade.
✏️ Attendants will learn more about becoming a school partner, the various offerings in our Program Catalogue, and the registration process.
⏰ When: August 21st at 4:30 PM
🙂Who Should Attend: Teachers, Principals, and Administrators working for DCPS and/or DC-PCS.
Please request an accommodation by three days before the event or ask any accommodation-related questions by emailing: info@dccollaborative.org. Zoom will have closed captioning capability.
Register Here

Art All Night: Friends and Family Fest
2025-09-12 17:00 - 21:00 | Eastern Market, 225 7th St SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
Register Here
Art All Night: Friends and Family Fest
Free to attend | Registration Requested
Friday, September 12 · 5 – 9 pm EDT
DC Collaborative is excited to present a series of activations for Art All Night in partnership with Eastern Market Main Street. Bring your entire family to experience interactive crafts and activities, live performances, and shop directly from local artists. From kids to grandparents, everyone will find something to love and something to learn from the creative changemakers that shape our community! Follow along for updates online at dccollaborative.org and @dccollaborative. We are proudly supporting artists and performers through grant support from the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development.
Register Here

Social X Change: Archiving Us
2025-09-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Register Here
Social X Change: Archiving Us
Free to attend | Registration Requested
September 25th at 1 PM [Virtual on Zoom] & October 4th at 2 PM [4th floor of MLK Jr Library]
A two-part series on archiving at DCPL’s The People’s Archive. Attendees will learn why archiving is important, what to prepare, and how to prepare. In part two, attendees will bring materials to enter into their own archival file at The People’s Archive!
Date, time, and location:
September 25th at 1 PM [Virtual on Zoom]
October 4th at 2 PM [4th floor of MLK Jr Library]
Description:
You are writing, publishing, performing, exhibiting, and creating work that shapes our community and tells our story. Preserving your history means you are documenting the history of our city. Join us to learn how you can create your own Artist File through the DC Public Library’s The People’s Archive.
Examples of what to prepare:

Exhibition postcards
Images of work, DVDs of performances
Artist CVs
Brochures and catalogs
Correspondence
Other ephemera

What is The People’s Archive?
The People’s Archive at DC Public Library is home to the dynamic collections that preserve and share the stories, histories, and voices of Washington, D.C.’s diverse communities, as well as the Black experience in the United States. It features materials—such as photographs, oral histories, documents, and more—that highlight the vibrant local, national, and international history of DMV residents, grassroots movements, and cultural milestones, making it a valuable resource for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in learning more about the city’s past and present.
📍 Location:
901 G St. NW
4th Floor East
Washington, DC 20001
Register Here

DC Collaborative's 27th Birthday Party!
2025-11-05 18:00 - 21:00 | Kitchen and Kocktails, 1300 I St NW, Washington, DC, 20005, United States
Register Here
You’re invited to our 27th Birthday! 🎉
Nov. 5 | $30 | Registration Requested
Put on your party hats, it’s our birthday! 🥳 Celebrate the significant impact DC Collaborative has made through our community of partners and supporters. Your presence at Kitchen and Kocktails bolsters our mission to advance equitable access to arts and humanities education for DC public school students!
Enjoy a joyous evening filled with decadent food and drinks, great music, meaningful conversations, and an opportunity to give back to DC. Whether reconnecting with friends or meeting fellow supporters, join us as we honor 27 years of important work and build excitement for the Collaborative’s future.
You can expect:

Special discounts on food and drinks
A live auction featuring a Four Seasons grand prize
Networking with local professionals and advocates

🎟️ $30
📍 1300 I St NW, Washington, DC 20005
📆 November 5 at 6 PM
Learn more about DC Collaborative at www.dccollaborative.org
Register Here
