Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Invests in Arts Experiences with a Contribution to the Van Wezel Foundation
SARASOTA February 19, 2020 – The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has made a corporate contribution to the Van Wezel Foundation to support the Artworks Anywhere program. The program has been the cornerstone of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall virtual Arts Education initiative, launched during the pandemic to ensure arts education remained accessible to the Sarasota community and beyond. Artworks Anywhere is a free, live streaming and on-demand video library of arts focused learning activities available for teachers, educators and families. The program is completely underwritten through philanthropy.
“At a time when access to meaningful arts experiences is so needed, we are deeply grateful to the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation for their commitment to help underwrite these important resources that positively impact more than 30,000 students each year.” explains Cheryl Mendelson, CEO of The Van Wezel Foundation.
“We recognize that the arts create dimension in our lives and provide a creative outlet for those with talent and skills that deserve to be seen and appreciated,” said Cindy Helton, Executive Director, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. “We are proud to support Artworks Anywhere and the Van Wezel Foundation as a corporate partner, to ensure that our communities are a vibrant place to live.”
Artworks Anywhere videos can be found at www.ArtworksAnywhere.org. Every video uses arts education and integration methods to effectively teach and explore curriculum-based core subjects such as language arts, math, reading, science or history. Videos feature a call-to-action project encouraging children and families to create art together in the form of drawings, stories, poems, dance moves, songs and more.
The Van Wezel Foundation is actively raising funds to expand the library of teaching artist videos for children. Visit www.vwfoundation.org/donate to learn more and make a gift.
ABOUT THE VAN WEZEL FOUNDATION
The Van Wezel Foundation’s mission is to create a world-class performing arts center that enriches the community, supports arts education and inspires young minds. The Foundation has partnered with the City of Sarasota since 1987 to support arts education throughout our region, serving more than 35,000 students with enriching arts-based education opportunities and professional development for more than 400 teachers across five counties. To foster a connection between the people, the bay and the spirit of human creativity, the Foundation is leading The Future is Now Campaign, a master plan for Bayfront development that includes a new performing arts center. To learn more about the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center and get involved, visit vwfoundation.org/SPAC. For more information on the Foundation and its mission, visit vwfoundation.org, or join us on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION FOUNDATION
Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $30 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit: suncoastcreditunion.com.
ABOUT SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the ninth largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $12.4 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 74 full-service branches and serves more than 913,000 members in the following 39 Florida counties: Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $30 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit: suncoastcreditunion.com or follow us on social media: facebook.com/SuncoastCreditUnion, linkedin.com/company/suncoastcreditunion, twitter.com/SuncoastCU or instagram.com/suncoastcreditunion.
ABOUT VAN WEZEL ARTS EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
A true pioneer in the cultural development of Sarasota, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall presents spectacular Broadway musicals, top national and international performers, popular comedians and a compelling mix of classical and dance productions. Owned and operated by the City of Sarasota, the Van Wezel celebrated its 50th Anniversary during the 2019-2020 season. The theater’s Education and Community Engagement Department serves over 35,000 students, teachers and family members each year, teaching them in, through and about the arts. In conjunction with the Van Wezel Foundation, the Van Wezel’s Education and Community Engagement Department has launched numerous virtual initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic including virtual Schooltime Performances, Zoom Based workshops with teaching artists, and Artworks Anywhere, a series of free arts education videos available on demand to students, families and educators. To learn more, visit www.ArtworksAnywhere.org.
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