FORT LAUDERDALE – Thanks to a long-standing partnership with the School Board of Broward County, more than 130,000 students from Broward County schools experience live theater each year at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts through Student Enrichment in the Arts (SEAS), the largest free arts-in-education program in the U.S. To date, more than 3.3 million students have enjoyed a SEAS performance, thanks to the commitment of generous supporters who ensure that the program continues to thrive.
The most recent donation was from BBX Capital Foundation, which focuses support on the arts, education and human services.
“We are incredibly thrilled to be able to provide many students in our community access to the arts. We knew this performance would strike inspiration especially since these two trained and skilled performers are from right here in Broward County and definitely gave motivation and creativity to the students,” said Lois Marino, Director of Community Engagement for BBX Capital Foundation.
The donation was announced during a recent SEAS performance where more than 2,400 students enjoyed a dynamic performance by Black Violin, creators of a distinctive multi-genre sound often described as “classical boom” that features classically trained musicians Wil B. (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin), who met while students at Dillard Center for the Arts. Last fall, Black Violin invited 24 student dancers, singers and strings players from Walker Elementary, Bethune Elementary, Lake Forest Elementary and North Andrews Gardens Elementary to join them in a performance at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. as part of the national Turnaround Arts program, which partners professional artists with elementary schools to use the arts to help students learn in new ways.
“As an educational anchor in the community, we continue to deliver innovative arts-based programming thanks to a strong partnership with the school district and the support of generous donors like BBX Capital Foundation, whose contribution continues to step up to advance student achievement through the arts,” said Kelley Shanley, President and CEO of the Broward Center. “The breadth and depth of our SEAS program continues to have a transformational impact on our students and teachers.”
The performances of Black Violin at the Broward Center were presented by PNC Wealth Management and Hawthorn PNC Family Wealth and generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and Funding Arts Broward.
“The arts are at the heart of our communities, connecting people through shared experiences and artistic expression,” said Arts Endowment Chairman Mary Anne Carter. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support projects like Black Violin.”
To learn more about the variety of education offerings at the Broward Center, visit BrowardCenter.org. For more information on the Broward Center, like us at Facebook.com/BrowardCenter, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BrowardCenter, subscribe to our channel at Youtube.com/user/BrowardCenter and join the conversation with #BrowardCenter.
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About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive JetBlue Flight Deck on the Club Level, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 130,000 students annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. Programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.
About BBX Capital Foundation
The BBX Capital Foundation was created in 1994 as a 501(c)(3) corporate foundation. Since then, the Foundation has awarded millions of dollars to charitable organizations throughout the state of Florida. The BBX Capital Foundation focuses on three key areas: the arts, education and human services. It considers requests for specific projects, as well as for general programs.