With tight budgets and crowded classrooms, some regional schools have few resources to devote to major arts programs. But area nonprofits, bolstered by coalitions of for-profit businesses and other groups, have emerged to fill that missing classroom experience.

The Washington Performing Arts Society arranges concerts and educational programs for young people and seniors with funds provided by its 3,000 members and support from the District government, businesses, foundations and other groups.

One program allows for artists to conduct workshops, classes and pre- or post performance discussions.

The Children of the Gospel workshops are two-week training programs held during the summer for vocalists ages 9 to 18.

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A program for seniors brings local artists into nursing homes and recreation centers throughout the greater D.C. region.

All the programs are free for attendees.

“Everything we do in education requires 100 percent support,” said Neale Perl, WPAS president.

He said that half of his total $10 million annual budget must be raised each year from contributions.

Many of their programs, such as Embassy Adoption, expose young adults to both the music and the culture of other countries, said Perl.

“We serve a diverse community in this area, so our programs are aimed at partnering D.C. classrooms with embassies showing kids and their parents how other cultures live.”

The Sitar Center serves more than 500 students a year, averaging 350 per semester.

Their programs include music, dance and yoga, among others.

“[The arts are] a way for young people to better know who they are — it improves their self-esteem,” said Rhonda Buckley, executive director of the Patricia Sitar Arts Center in D.C.

“It’s life saving. Kids that find music is their voice live a different kind of life after that.”

The educational programs offered by WPAS and the Sitar Center, as well as by other regional arts nonprofits, are all aimed at supplementing classroom work and are designed working with teachers.

In most cases, without the services of the arts nonprofits, these residents would not have the benefit of these cultural experiences.

“I hope that at some point the public schools will have it as a priority to make music available to every student,” said the Sitar Center’s Buckley.

“Until then, nonprofits are picking up the slack.”

Have information about area nonprofits? Contact Frank Sietzen at fsietzen@yahoo.com.