The Van Wezel Foundation has received a $10,000 leverage 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 Education Department, the Van Wezel Foundation is investing in new programs like IDEA that use visual and performing arts to encourage open conversations and address critical social issues such as Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. “It is vitally important that we invest in arts education strategies that address socially relevant topics to eliminate racial and cultural discrimination,” commented Cheryl Mendelson, CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation. “Bridging the gap between educators and students will encourage greater interaction and collaboration and facilitate open and honest conversation. We are honored to be a catalyst in helping the Van Wezel Arts Education Department inspire meaningful dialogue in our community through the power of the performing arts.”

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