ARTS FOR EVERYBODY
For over 30 years, the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation (formerly the Van Wezel Foundation), the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and the City of Sarasota have partnered to provide artistic experiences that ensure students receive a well-rounded education, teachers have the tools and resources to reach every student, and our community members have access to meaningful arts experiences.
INNOVATING EDUCATION
THROUGH THE ARTS
Our founding commitment to education and community impact enables us to strengthen the voices of tomorrow through immersion in the dramatic arts by providing visceral learning experiences.
Our programs build confidence and self-esteem, challenge and examine social perspectives, foster relationships through artistic collaboration, foster imagination, and create empathy through storytelling.
Mr. Stevey & Friends
A free community program geared towards pre-school and elementary school aged children and their families to engage in mindfulness activities and create art in all its various forms!
PARTNERS — NEWTOWN NATION, NEWTOWN FARMERS MARKET, FLORIDA ARTS & CULTURE
Appleton Awards
These scholarships recognize the achievements and potential of educators using Arts Integration and Education in their classrooms or community.
Artists in Residence
Bringing nationally recognized artists to our community through partnerships with local arts and social service organizations.
ARTSELF
Bringing nationally recognized artists to our community through partnerships with local arts and social service organizations.
PARTNERS — HARVEST HOUSE, RESILIENT RETREAT, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, UNIDOS NOW
“We look forward to deepening our relationship with artists, the community, and our partners at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall through this innovative and impactful season.”
Arts-integration programs for pre-K through grade 12 include professional development and classroom workshops, Family Arts Nights, and Schooltime performances: Click Clack Moo, It’s Okay to be Different, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, Pete’s Big Hollywood Adventure, Momix/Alice, WBTT’s The Alligators and the Flamingos, The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, and The Gruffalo.
PARTNERS — VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL, JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, APPLETON SCHOLARS AND SARASOTA, MANATEE, CHARLOTTE, AND DESOTO COUNTY SCHOOLS
EDUCATION TEAM
KELLI MALDONADO
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MISSION & IMPACT,
SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION
MR. STEVEY
TEACHING ARTIST
JUSTIN GOMLAK
EDUCATION DIRECTOR VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL
MARIA SCHAEDLER-LUERA
TEACHING ARTIST