Overview

The practice of art should not be limited to those who have the means to afford supplies and a space to work. As a non-profit organization, District Playground will provide opportunities for less-advantaged members of the Washington DC community to participate in the arts and reconnect with creative outlets commonly left behind in elementary school. Ultimately, those who choose to reach beyond the ordinary may find in themselves new realms of physical, mental, and spiritual strength. Key principles of kindness, equity, knowledge sharing, diversity, open decision-making, and respect for the environment will be integral influences to all of the organization’s programs and guidelines.

District Playground will initially consist of four distinct components: Art, Healing, Sustainability, and Community.

Art
An individual’s contribution to the community through art is invaluable, especially when it is combined with elements of social participation, knowledge sharing, and sustainability. District Playground aims to provide aspiring and established artists of all levels with an opportunity to reach beyond their art and participate intimately with other members of the creative community in Washington, DC.

Healing
As the external pressures of the urban environment increase, many people are tempted to suppress, forget, and move past whatever demons we fight on a daily basis. District Playground wants to help individuals discover their own ways to relax, release, rejuvenate and find their strength. We hope to remind people about the importance of kindness, love, and sharing within our personal lives as well as in the greater community.

Sustainability
Art can be both beautiful and simultaneously destructive to the environment. District Playground will arm artists and healers with information on how to incorporate sustainable materials in their projects and reduce and dispose of waste properly. We will promote and actively support artists and healers who reduce, recycle, and reuse materials whenever possible.

Moreover, District Playground also intends to serve as a source of information about sustainable community development, particularly as it relates to that of a creative community. We will seek to develop partnerships with area organizations in order to improve the overall effectiveness of outreach programs.

Community
District Playground will conduct community outreach events to help bring art and access to alternative healing techniques to the urban community of Washington, DC. As our physical home becomes a reality, we will be able to provide our members with a broad range of resources within the field of art and alternative healing. In the meantime, we will strive to keep members informed of trends, happenings, and news through this website and newsletters.