Van Wezel Foundation Contributes $575,000 in Grants “We are incredibly fortunate that our supporters recognize that investing in arts education is essential to shaping the fabric of a child’s life.” –Cheryl Mendelson, CEO, Van Wezel Foundation. The Van Wezel Foundation provided philanthropic grants totaling $575,000 during its fiscal year 2020

By Thomas Williams, Director, PLANit Sarasota   PLANit Sarasota, is comprised of a cross-sector group of education partners (K-12 and higher ed), youth services organizations and community partners focused on increasing the rate of students who pursue an education beyond high school, particularly among those historically underrepresented in higher education. 

Van Wezel Foundation Donor Spotlight Merrill Bonder “If a child lacks confidence or struggles to learn, it’s amazing what can happen when you share your passion and desire to see them improve.” For years, Merrill Bonder has been a champion of the arts. She and her late husband, Seth, were

“Teachers trust the Van Wezel to deliver high-quality content that meets their expectations.” — Kelli Maldonado, Education Director, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall This summer, Girls, Inc. members throughout Sarasota County are having fun while learning valuable lessons online. With Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s Teaching Artists, these girls are

Foundation continues to lead vision to build new performing arts center as part of the Bayfront master plan SARASOTA, July 15, 2020 – The Van Wezel Foundation is pleased to announce the fiscal year 2021 officers and board members confirmed for service at its recent annual meeting. For more than

SARASOTA, July 2, 2020 – The Van Wezel Foundation announces the appointment of Susan McCreary, as its Chief Finance and Administration Officer. McCreary brings more than 20 years of experience in finance and administration leadership from global companies. In her new role, McCreary will be responsible for leading the organization’s

The Hermitage Artist Retreat and Van Wezel Foundation Partner on Innovative New Arts Experience: UNSCRIPTED: Arts from the Inside Out SARASOTA, June 30, 2020 – The Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Van Wezel Foundation will debut an innovative new art experience this summer called UNSCRIPTED: Arts from the Inside Out.

“The performing arts have the ability to teach the viewer empathy by exploring the many facets of the human condition.” What do Kiss Me Kate, Sweet Charity, Grey Gardens and La Cage aux Folles have in common? They are a sample of the musicals co-produced by Edwin Schloss, a Tony

The performing arts play an invaluable part in our lives. They add light, inspiration, and make us feel joy. So much has changed. But we have each other, and together, we will get through this. So what do we do during these uncertain times? We read books. We watch TV.

Meet Ed and Susan Maier! Ed and Susan Maier became Friends of the Van Wezel Foundation when they moved to the Gulf Coast nine years ago and have supported the arts in our community ever since. Both Ed and Susan have a love for Broadway musicals – Phantom of the