Nov. 14, 2016
Contact Beth Franklin at 608-796-3735 or bafranklin@viterbo.edu
OVER $11,800 AWARDED TO AREA SCHOOLS TO ATTEND PERFORMANCES AT VITERBO UNIVERSITY
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University, with financial assistance from Macy’s and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota, has awarded over $11,800 to area schools to help offset the costs of field trips to see performances at the university.
The program, “Arts for All,” allows teachers to apply for funding based on the number of students at their school qualifying for free and reduced lunch. For example, if a school has 50 percent of its students qualifying for free and reduced lunch, that school may receive up to 50 percent off their ticket price.
Performances in this year’s Ronald McDonald Arts for Young America School Series include historical shows such as Everybody’s Hero: The Jackie Robinson Story and Ellis, Island of Dreams, as well as popular children’s literature adapted into plays, such as Charlotte’s Web and The House at Pooh Corner. Ticket costs are $5 or $6 each for this series.
“We found that sometimes even $5 or $6 is too much for some families, especially when they still have to pay transportation costs,” said Michael Ranscht, director of the Fine Arts Center. “It is Viterbo’s goal to make sure that every child has the opportunity to experience the arts, regardless of his or her economic background,” continued Ranscht.
“Arts for All” funding will impact over 4,800 area students this year in grades K–12. Schools receiving funding, among other regional schools, include:
Emerson Elementary, La Crosse
Hamilton Elementary, La Crosse
Holmen Middle
Irving Pertzsch Elementary, Onalaska
Lincoln Middle, La Crosse
Logan Middle, La Crosse
Mt. Calvary Grace Lutheran School, La Crosse
Northside Elementary, La Crosse
North Woods International School, La Crosse
Northern Hills Elementary, Onalaska
Southern Bluffs Elementary, La Crosse
Spence Elementary, La Crosse
Summit Environmental School, La Crosse
Viking Elementary, Holmen
For more information about the “Arts for All” program, contact Beth Franklin at 608-796-3735 or bafranklin@viterbo.edu, or visit the Fine Arts Center web page at www.viterbo.edu/fine-arts-center/arts-all.
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