Van Wezel Receives AT&T Aspire Grant

The Van Wezel Foundation was recently awarded a grant from AT&T Aspire, in support of the Van Wezel's Schooltime Performances - IMPROVing Communications Project. The project will be launched during the upcoming 2015-2016 school year. This exciting and innovative new program, tied to the Van Wezel Schooltime Performance of The Improvised Shakespeare Company will:

• Target Populations of Middle and High School Students with an emphasis on underserved students and those not traditionally seeking higher level education while focusing on learning Improvisation and
  College/Career Readiness skills.
• Teach high school students collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking skills, all of which are as essential to the art of improvisation as they are to college and career readiness.
• Provide teachers with a curriculum rich learning module connected to the Van Wezel Schooltime Performance by "The Improvised Shakespeare Company." This module will include a special learning guide outlining the IMPROVing Communications lessons, and include a, teacher workshop outlining how they are to be taught. Funding will also be used for support Scholarships students in need with of tickets to "The Improvised Shakespeare Company" at the Van Wezel and teaching improvisation as the skill relates to real-world communication skills necessary to college and career success.
• Will be rooted in Florida Standards in Language Arts, including areas such as Speaking & Listening, Writing, and Short & Sustained Research Projects.

"This project exemplifies our work in teaching through and about the arts and we are eager to see the benefit to students as they learn essential skills that will help them throughout their education & careers. We are extremely grateful to AT&T for their support of this project and all they do for our community," stated Kelli Maldonado, Van Wezel's Director of Education and Community Engagement.