FIRST WORD
Capital Culture
PJ Feinstein
Editor pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com
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info@thefamilymagazine.com Without question, one of the best things about raising
kids in the D.C. area is access to the arts.

The Smithsonian Institution alone has 17 museums
and galleries, plus the National Zoological Park, all of
which are free to visitors. Broadway touring companies
make stops at The John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts and The National Theatre, and many
plays and musicals start at local theaters before moving
to New York City. “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Mean Girls”
and “Beetlejuice” are shows that hit it big on Broadway.

And let’s not forget all of the concerts, book signings
and dance performances taking place on any given day.

The DMV also provides lots of opportunities for
children to participate in the arts, from after-school
classes to audition-only conservatories. However, arts
participation isn’t only a fun way to pass the time.

The benefits of music, theater and visual arts lessons
have been widely studied and include stronger problem-
solving skills, improved academic performance, increased
cultural awareness and a greater sense of innovation.

In our annual arts issue, we explore a variety of ways
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that families can take advantage of the arts opportunities
in our area. With museums opening back up, contributor
Jennifer Marino Walters shares expert advice for
making “grown-up” institutions fun and engaging for
children (page 14). And Barbara Ruben shines a spotlight
on Acting for Young People, a popular performing arts
program in Fairfax that offers acting camps, showcase
productions, workshops and more (page 12).

Our Parent You Should Know is Aileen Fuchs, the
new president and executive director of the National
Building Museum. She and her family — including
daughter Faith, who’s on the cover with her mom —
moved from New York to Bethesda in time for the start
of the school year. Read more on page 18.

You’ll also find back-to-school advice, children’s
books for video gamers and family-friendly hiking spots.

Happy reading, and I’ll see you at the museum! n
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