With the ultimate goal of “every child, every grade, every year,” the Sandler Center, in partnership with the Virginia Arts Festival’s WorldClass® Education Department, presents education outreach opportunities, workshops and master classes geared towards school-aged children in grades K–12. 

As part of this comprehensive program, the Sandler Center offers specially priced student performances for area young people and brings world-class artists into the classroom for master classes and demonstrations. During the 2008/2009 season, for example, local children were able to learn alongside the actors of the American Shakespeare Center, young musicians had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study and play with Midori, and young singers learned breathing techniques from the Boston  Brass.

The primary target population for the Sandler Center’s education program is K-12 students and teachers in the Hampton Roads area.  The Sandler Center and the Arts Festival’s Education Department work closely with public schools arts administrators on scheduling and programming to make sure that these programs compliment the district’s curriculum.  Free Comprehensive Study Guides are available to help teachers prepare students for the programs.  This is a very valuable tool that includes several age-appropriate student worksheets that help teachers incorporate the arts into the school’s curriculum and align with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL’s). 
 

How you can help

The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts works closely with area schools to ensure that as many students as possible have the opportunity to be enriched by the arts. Many schools in the Hampton Roads area do not have the funding to provide their students with unique arts opportunities. Through individual donations and corporate funding, the Sandler Center has established a permanent endowment for the sole purpose of bringing the performing arts to school children through educational programming and school field trips. Contributions can be made through the purchase of a brick paver to be laid in the Sandler Center Plaza. Every paver purchased will be a permanent reminder of your commitment to the arts.

To purchase a paver or to donate to the Sandler Center educational endowment fund please call (757) 385-0227 or visit us on the web at www.sandlercenter.org/support