Press Releases

The Nelson B. Delavan Foundation gives $5,000 to support Educational Programming for Young Audiences at Smith Opera House (July 30, 2018)

GENEVA, NY — The Smith Center for the Arts is pleased to announce that it has received a generous grant of $5,000 from the Nelson B. Delavan Foundation for the Smith’s ArtSmart Educational Theatre program for the 2018-2019 season. The funding is designated for educational programming for young audiences.

The ArtSmart Educational Theatre Series provides educational shows specifically designed for school groups and are open to the general public. Children’s picture books and classic literature, United States history and world history, relevant social issues and experiences are all transformed and presented live on the Smith Opera House stage. This series is designed to encourage thinking, creativity and fun while complementing school lessons. Each year, The Smith is proud to present an exciting series that students of all ages enjoy.

“The Smith is very excited to present this year’s diverse and delightful ArtSmart series. Not only will area children engage with excellent live performances but they’ll visit the Smith Opera House, our 124-year-old performance venue listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building itself gives teachers a golden opportunity to engage students in lively discussions about the history of the region in which they live. We know teachers join us in thanking The Delavan Foundation for continuing to support the ArtSmart program,” says Susie Monagan, Executive Director at the Smith Center for the Arts.

This upcoming season, ArtSmart has the following shows booked: Galumpha: Experiments in Human Architecture : Oct. 15 at 10 a.m.

Tomas and the Library Lady: Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. They Called Her Vivaldi : March 24 at 3 p.m. and March 25 at 10 a.m. The Crucible: May 5 at 7 p.m. and May 6 at 10 a.m.

Tickets for these shows are $6.50 and can be purchased at the Smith Box Office or online at www.thesmith.org . School groups can register for these shows later this summer.

The Smith Center for the Arts, stewards of the historic Smith Opera House, provides diverse arts and educational enrichment opportunities year-round for Finger Lakes residents and visitors. The Smith Opera House is at 82 Seneca St. in Geneva, NY. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information, call 315-781-5483 during box office hours or visit www.thesmith.org .