Van Wezel Receives Grant from Eluned and Edward Russell Charitable Foundation

The Van Wezel Education department's Very Special Arts Project is grateful to receive a $7,500 grant from Eluned and Edward Russell Charitable Foundation. The Very Special Arts Project is now in its fifth year of the Van Wezel's formal programming to better serve students with disabilities. The program will allow students with disabilities from Oak Park School to work with students from Lakeview Elementary School, this is the fourth year that the program has enabled these two schools to collaborate. The grant was awarded to the Van Wezel Foundation for the benefit of the Van Wezel's Education program.

The Very Special Arts Project includes pre-performance activities, a field trip to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to watch a live children's theatre performance (Schooltime performance,) and joint art projects led by Van Wezel Teaching Artists that take place during the weeks leading up to the performance.

"The continued support of the Eluned and Edward Russell Foundation has allowed us make an impact in our work with students through arts-based inclusion projects. This program has allowed hundreds of students to benefit as they learn more about the arts, their world, and each other." Kelli Maldonado, director of Education and Community Engagement.