Wharton Center Arts Education Program

The arts have the power to teach, inspire, unify, and transform our lives. Wharton Center Arts Education Programs are designed to ensure everyone can experience and participate in the magic of live performance.

For Jillian, growing up in rural Michigan meant limited access to performing arts training, but her experience at Wharton Center changed that. As a high school student, Jillian found affordable access to professional training and experiences through Wharton Center’s Broadway camp, Take It From The Top.

Her hard work paid off — participating in Wharton Center’s Sutton Foster Awards was an experience that transformed Jillian’s life. Surrounded by passionate peers and coaches, her talent and confidence soared. She won the award and went to New York to compete at the National High School Musical Theater Awards.

Jillian’s story proves that talent is everywhere — opportunity isn’t. Wharton Center invests in Arts Education Programs that open doors for students like her. Will you join us?

Your Support Will Help Students Create Core Memories By:

• Providing scholarships for students to participate in Take it From the Top and other workshops 
• Subsidizing the true ticket cost of $15 for K-12 students to attend school day matinees for $1 per ticket and subsidize transportation expenses   
• Continuing to partner with under-resourced schools to offer Disney Musicals in Schools as an after school theatre program 
• And so much more

One staff member from the Refugee Development Center of East Lansing reflected on the opportunity of students attending "Life of Pi" in March 2025, thanks to Arts Education funding by saying:

“All our students at the center share the commonality of being displayed from their home country. Because art can be a tool for processing trauma, projects like these help our students through the transition to a new country and new schools. Visiting Wharton Center provides a chance to see the good in their community."

Give today because the arts flourish when they are shared!