I am a Van Wezel Teaching Artist who knows the impact of the Van Wezel Foundation’s investment in arts education.

Performing arts have expanded and evolved in many ways since the 1970s when the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall opened on the Bay in Sarasota, and I have had a front-row seat in watching its evolution while serving as the Executive Director for over 14 years.

Cultural partnerships are in a unique position to uplift not only societies and communities but also economies.

The Van Wezel Foundation (Foundation) announced Maria Schardler-Luera as the winner of the Appleton Arts Integration Award at its 20th annual Inspiration Gala on Thursday, January 27, 2022.

The Van Wezel Foundation (Foundation) is pleased to announce the addition of an executive director of education and lifelong learning to its team as the result of a major grant awarded by the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

Made possible through the Van Wezel Foundation (Foundation), and its generous donors, Grammy® and Emmy® Award-winner Harry Connick Jr, along with Booker High School visual and performing arts (VPA) students, shared their passion for the arts as part of an unscripted master class and open dialogue session at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Like Stephanie, learn how you can make a difference in the lives of schoolchildren in our area by underwriting these critical mission-driven arts education programs.

$20 Million in Private Funding Committed to Future Sarasota Performing Arts Center
by Foundation Board- Harry Connick Jr. Surprised & Delighted Gala Attendees, Urging Their Support of Foundation’s Mission-driven Education Work

Since she took over as chief executive officer of the Van Wezel Foundation three years ago, Cheryl Mendelson has been working to sell the community and donors on the need for a major new performing arts center that will be the centerpiece of the new Bay Park Conservancy.

If everything goes according to plan, the new Sarasota performing arts center could be completed in about six years.