Group selfie at the 10th Anniversary Gala. Photo by Erich Wietmarschen.

ArtStream’s administrative office is located in Chevy Chase, Maryland.  Programming is NOT held at the office. Programs are offered at many different locations throughout the Washington DC Metro region.

Since its founding, ArtStream offered programs for many different communities, including children who are grieving; children in hospitals; children in various stages of adoption; adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD); wounded servicemembers, their families, and caregivers; and older adults. In all of these communities, creative participation in the arts gives the power of choice to individuals who do not have primary agency in their everyday lives.

Browse our class brochure to see what we currently offer, then contact us to get started!

Classes are led by trained teaching artists and theatre professionals.

ArtStream welcomes adult and teen volunteers (ages 13⁺; rising 9^th grade) for volunteer opportunities onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and at the office. All volunteers must complete the volunteer application, meet the minimum age requirement, and be willing to donate at least 10 hours of service to ArtStream. Volunteers are eligible for SSL hours and will receive training. Apply online to get started.

Please note: We generally do not allow parents to volunteer in programs in which their adult children participate.

ArtStream programs are open to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) — including autism — and other social and behavioral needs. Participants should be able to function in groups of up to 30 people with 1:4 staffing; independently meet self-care needs; follow directions; and demonstrate respectful, safe behavior at all times. Unless otherwise noted, ArtStream classes and performing companies are open to adults 18⁺.

ArtStream requires all actors to take at least one ArtStream class before auditioning for an Inclusive Theatre Company, or two before auditioning for Cabaret. Auditions are by invitation only. Contact the ArtStream office at 301-565-4567 to be added to the waitlist for the Inclusive Theatre Company or Cabaret Company of your choice. If space is available, they will be invited to audition.

• You may put your name on the waitlist for the Companies in either Gaithersburg, MD; Silver Spring, MD Company A or B; or Arlington, VA. You must be able to travel to the rehearsal location for the Company you are waitlisted for.
• You must have taken at least eight weeks of classes with ArtStream to be eligible for an Inclusive Theatre Company.
• If you have not taken an ArtStream class during the last two years, you will be removed from the waitlist.
• Once in a company you will be removed from the waitlist for any other location.
• Teachers can postpone admission if they feel the participant is not ready and the participant will be re-evaluated the next time a space is available.
• Changing to a different Company is possible only at the end of the first year, depending on availability.

• To register by mail: Download the registration form. Fill in class (as listed on the event calendar), student, and emergency contact information. Be sure to read through policies on page 2. Send registration with payment to the ArtStream office address listed on the form. Make checks payable to “ArtStream, Inc.” No cash by mail.
• To register online: Find your class on the event calendar or go directly to the online registration form. Fill out the registration form and pay offline online via PayPal. A four percent (4%) processing fee will be applied to all online and credit card registrations.

ArtStream services are eligible for LISS and respite funding, and ArtStream students are eligible to pay in installments or receive tuition assistance. If you are registering online, you can select to pay in installments, pay with provider, or request tuition assistance. If you are paying by mail, check your preferred payment option and the office will follow up to confirm.

We work with many different providers including Respite Services and the Arc. Fill in the registration form and select “LISS” or “Respite” under payment information. Contact your provider to apply for funds, then let ArtStream know from whom we can expect payment.

Clients may choose to pay in two or three installments to help manage the cost of tuition. Simply send your first payment to the office with your registration form and send subsequent payments with the class name and payment number written on the memo line. Please make sure to complete payment before the last two weeks of class.

ArtStream participants may be eligible for partial or full tuition assistance for any ArtStream program on a self-reported need basis. Tuition assistance is granted on a program-by-program basis based on requests from participants and funding currently available. Tuition assistance funding provided by foundation grants.

ArtStream does not provide transportation to and from classes. Our classes are held at locations that are convenient to bus stops and MetroAccess.

Venues are selected to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.

Class offerings may be canceled due to low enrollment. If a program is canceled in its entirety, participants will receive a full refund. Single class sessions may be canceled due to building maintenance or weather conditions. In the case of single class sessions being canceled, partial refunds cannot be provided.

In the event of inclement weather, instructor illness, or another emergency situation, ArtStream makes its own determinations regarding cancellations but also follows the policies of its facilities and venues. Notifications will be made via email, phone, and posted on the ArtStream website, Facebook, and Twitter. ArtStream will do its best to make cancellation decisions at least three hours before a session. In extenuating circumstances, sessions may be canceled with little or no notice. Participants will not be refunded for emergency, illness or weather-related cancellations. Participant safety is ArtStream’s first priority. If a participant feels unsafe due to weather conditions, they may contact their instructor to be excused.

Participants must notify their instructor of planned absences by one week prior. If a participant is absent due to illness or other unplanned circumstances, they should alert their instructor as soon as possible before the class. Tuition will not be prorated for absences. Special circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Participants may respectfully engage on social media with ArtStream staff, volunteers, or other participants. Please respect people’s right to remain private on social media if they prefer. Cyberbullying is not tolerated and may result in dismissal from a program.

The ratio is one ArtStream instructor or volunteer for every four participants. Each class includes at least two trained teaching artists.