OUR  MISSION
Through its educational initiatives the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is dedicated to deepening student learning, enhancing teacher training through professional development workshops, and using its resources to expand public awareness through participatory art and community programs that bring the joy and magic of the performing arts to patrons of all ages.

The Van Wezel teaches in, through, and about the arts! We accomplish this through the following educational objectives:

TRANSFORM  the classroom through Schooltime Performances by presenting the best nationally and internationally renowned artists. We extend the classroom to the stage through these performances and create learning opportunities across all disciplines. All performances are carefully selected to correspond with the National Education Standards and The Next Generation Sunshine State Standards with educator materials and student study guides provided free of charge. Through the generous support of our sponsors, tickets are an affordable $7. Bus reimbursement for public schools is provided through the Van Wezel Foundation!

FOSTER  the most important influence in the classroom, our teachers, by providing professional workshops for them to teach in, through, and about the arts. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, in collaboration with the School Board of Sarasota County, is now in its 15th year as a member of the prestigious Partners in Education Program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Selected because of their demonstrated commitment to the arts, this Partnership provides dynamic professional development workshops presented by prominent national educators and designed to involve all areas of the curriculum, and reach all learning styles. This past season our Partnership team expanded to add a new partner - YEA Arts!

ENGAGE  in up-close artist discussions with pre and post mainstage performance ‘Curtain Calls’ and learn from the artists through masterclasses, internships, in-classroom artist workshops, and a multitude of other dynamic community engagement programs.

DELIGHT  children of all ages and bring your family to our Boar's Head Family Series which includes Family Nights and other mainstage performances.

ADVOCATE   for the arts in our community through our partnerships with the Sarasota County School Board, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, the Arts Council of Manatee County, Community and Schools Partnership for the Arts (C/SPA), the Education Channels of Sarasota and Manatee County, International Performing Arts for Youth, Florida Alliance for Arts Education, and countless artists, individuals and organizations who, together through partnerships, make our community more extraordinary and more connected!