500,000 Students Experience the Arts in Wisconsin Program

Half a million students have now discovered the magic of live theater through one Wisconsin program, proving that access to the arts can transform education for an entire generation.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton hit this milestone through its Amcor Education Series, which launched in 2002. Over 24 years, the program has brought 477 educational performances to students across Northeast Wisconsin, averaging about 12 different shows each school year.

The series does more than entertain. It connects classroom lessons to live performances, helping students who learn differently find new ways to understand their schoolwork.

"Every student learns in a different way," said Maria Van Laanen, president and CEO of the center. "To be able to see their classroom lessons come to life really makes a difference for our area students."

The program ensures all students can attend regardless of their family's income or background. Students experience world-class performers, culturally diverse programming, and productions designed to match what they're learning in school.

The Ripple Effect

Twenty-four years of arts access means something profound for Northeast Wisconsin. An entire generation of students has experienced live performance, many for the first time in their lives.

For some kids, these shows spark lifelong passions. For others, they simply open a window to experiences outside their everyday world. Either way, 500,000 young people now carry memories of the stage with them.

The program has created a culture where arts education isn't a luxury for privileged schools. It's a shared experience connecting students across the region, building community through creativity.

Officials call the series "a gateway to the arts" and "a bridge between the stage and the classroom." Those aren't just nice words when you've reached half a million students over two decades.

The next generation of Northeast Wisconsin students already has shows scheduled, ensuring that arts access continues building bridges for years to come.