The Van Wezel Foundation is thrilled to announce that it will launch its 2020 season with a matching campaign, thanks to the generosity of the James and Maryann Armour Family Foundation.
The Armours will match each new donation dollar for dollar up to $25,000 in support of the Van Wezel Foundation’s commitment to providing meaningful arts education for over 30,000 children and educators throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, DeSoto and Hillsborough counties.
“We love the arts, we love Sarasota and we have seen how arts education can open a world of possibilities for children,” said Maryann Armour. The retired teacher and her husband have supported the Van Wezel Foundation since 2006. They share the organization’s belief that engagement in the arts is essential for a community to thrive.
Foundation grants will go toward multiple programs, including Van Wezel Schooltime Performances, a program that presents high quality, nationally and internationally renowned artists and performances for area students. The 2019-2020 season of Schooltime Performances features nine shows, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Pout-Pout Fish and Charlotte’s Web.
Each year, Schooltime Performances are complemented by Art Works for Schooltime learning modules. These in-depth lessons connect arts disciplines to other curriculum areas, including language arts, math, science and social studies. Each module series features a lesson guide for teachers, free professional development and optional in-classroom workshops with students and is available to educators from all four counties.
“We thank the Armours for understanding the importance of arts integration to make learning achievable for every child,” said Van Wezel Foundation CEO Cheryl Mendelson. “The matching campaign helps us ensure that the arts are woven into the fabric of our community.”
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