Our Vision For Sarasota Performing Arts Center The mission of the Van Wezel Foundation is to create a world-class performing arts center that enriches the community, supports arts education, and inspired young minds.  https://youtu.be/9YMaDMs03pA Transforming the Sarasota Area On September 6, 2018, the city of Sarasota approved a master plan

SARASOTA, September 25, 2020 – The Van Wezel Foundation kicks off its 2021 giving season with a $25,000 matching gift, thanks to the generosity of the James and Maryann Armour Family Foundation. All donations received as part of this campaign will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000 and

SARASOTA, September 24, 2020 – The Van Wezel Foundation has received a $10,000 community grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support a year-long culturally responsive arts education initiative to meet the needs and unique challenges educators face this academic year. Together with the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s Arts

$25,000 Matching Grant Doubles Your Impact Back in March, Sophia had to finish out her school year with online learning at home because of COVID-19. And because of donors like you, Sophia got to enjoy dozens of virtual Artworks Anywhere lessons taught by Van Wezel teaching artists. Sophia learned important

Donor generosity creates lasting impact for children, families and educators. SARASOTA, September 15, 2020 – In celebration of Arts in Education Week, the Van Wezel Foundation is pleased to announce that in fiscal year 2020, $575,000 was granted to support arts education and integration programming, touching the lives of 35,000

Did you know that shopping with AmazonSmile that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchase to the Van Wezel Foundation?  Yep that’s right.  By doing your normal Amazon online shopping, you can donate to the Van Wezel Foundation at no additional costs to you.  Let’s dive into

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