1997 - the Odyssey began. Fortified with a week-long training at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a heart full of enthusiasm and a nationwide network of support, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the School Board of Sarasota County embarked on a journey that has brought the finest examples of Professional Development for Teachers to our community. These "hands-on" opportunities have enabled teachers to experience a variety of art forms and develop strategies to integrate them into all areas of the curriculum. This practice of teaching in, through and about the arts supports all learning styles while encouraging creativity.

Beginning with five workshops during our inaugural year, we have presented over 100 workshops, completed three national research projects and led the three Florida Partnership Teams in a State-Based Initiative Project. We have continued to support the work of the State-Based Initiative Project through a Rural Initiative Project awarded by the Dana Foundation aimed at training teaching artists to work in classrooms in the six targeted rural counties. We have enhanced our workshop offerings by adding classroom experiences and have connected the learning to quality theater presentations. Over 2,000 teachers have participated in our Arts Odyssey Program. The number of students they have reached is inestimable!

We began this expedition believing that the power of the arts could be instrumental to success in learning, believing that understanding the components of a specific art form enhances our appreciation of art and by believing that an appreciation of art will expand our knowledge of the world around us. Join us throughout the 2006-2007 season as we celebrate this 10 year milestone!

These workshops are partially underwritten by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Committee for the Performing Arts, the Roger S. Firestone Foundation, and the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund. The School Board of Sarasota and the Van Wezel Foundation provide local support.

Interested in bringing these dynamic workshops and leaders to your school? Call us!