Creative Teaching. Lifelong Learning.

Since 1957, Gateway to the Arts has transformed the lives of children through active participation in the arts. Through the work of over 100 professional artists, we inspire students and educators to become lifelong learners and participants in the arts.

Dedicated to serving students, educators and artists, Gateway to the Arts focuses on delivering quality artistic experiences by professional performing and visual artists to students and youth in schools, libraries and community centers. We provide artists and educators with the necessary skills to help students use the arts as a tool for learning.

Our long-term goals are to continue to demonstrate diverse, quality cultural arts programming and to engage educators and students in the creative process. We are thrilled to work with many exceptional local artists and annually bring touring artists to the region to supplement our offerings.

Knowing the importance of quality teaching, Gateway focuses on providing professional development for our teaching artists and classroom educators in our arts integration models. Artists and educators provide the foundation for students to excel not only as artists, but as individuals, team members and leaders.

Our organization is quite literally a gateway to the arts. Through our efforts students can experience through performances: modern, traditional and diverse cultural dance forms; folk, rock, classical, hip-hop, vocal, world and fusion music; storytelling; theater-Shakespeare to interactive; opera; pantomime; spoken word and more. Through our arts integration in-services, residencies and partnerships with schools, students are able to meet cross-curricular goals through experiences with works of arts.

The value of this work goes beyond exposure to and participation in the arts. It results in critical thinking, creative expression, self-confidence, a larger world view, an appreciation of diversity, and ultimately a lifelong passion for learning.