The District III -- East Area Fine Arts Initiative began during the 2016-2017 academic year in Chavez High School feeder schools, and expanded during the 2017-2018 academic year to Milby High School feeder schools. This expansion extended access to a high-quality fine arts education for approximately 16,301 students across all grade levels within the targeted Houston Independent School District (HISD) community. Fine arts opportunities for students during and after-school included general music, choir, mariachi, band, orchestra, piano, guitar, dance, theatre, and visual arts. Partnerships with arts organizations included the Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Youth Symphony, and the Houston Chamber Choir. A Summer Music Academy helped to off set the learning lag for students in Chavez feeder schools. Feedback gathered from students, parents, and teachers noted benefits for students who participated in the Honor Choir and the Houston Ballet residency program relative to engagement and motivation to develop music and dance skills, express themselves, develop team-building skills, and discipline. Evidence of program benefits was also manifested through multiple awards earned by students in band, theatre, dance, drill team, and visual arts. While this research noted the social benefits of the arts for students, future research should explore the academic benefits. This is, particularly, important considering the potential to extend partnerships beyond local to state and national arts organizations to broaden the benefits of arts participation for students in District III.