Van Wezel Foundation Highlights How Philanthropy Has Launched First-Of-Its-Kind IDEA Artist-In-Residence Pilot Program

Arts & Culture

The Van Wezel Foundation’s philanthropy united with the mission of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s new IDEA initiative to create a first-of-its-kind, Artist-in-residence Program that seamlessly melds digital events with in-person ones to form a hybrid prototype that can serve as a national model for the future. “This collaborative initiative was born out of the idea that the arts carry a unique opportunity to bring people together, to spark exploration of complex issues and to inspire hope,” said Cheryl Mendelson, CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation. Its inaugural Artist-in-residence is internationally recognized Hip-hop Artist, Activist, Scholar, and Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Olmeca, whose year-long virtual residency will conclude with a week-long residence in Sarasota with curated in-person community lectures, workshops, master classes and performances.

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