PK-12 Student Engagement

At the Moss Arts Center, we believe in the transformative power of the arts to enrich lives and inspire young minds. Our commitment extends beyond the stage and gallery walls, directly into the heart of our community through dedicated PK-12 programs.

Donor support allows us to continue to offer and grow our innovative arts programs, including interactive workshops, gallery tours, live performances, study guides, and educational outreach activities that inspire and educate.

Investing in the Arts for our Future

We have provided arts experiences for nearly 40,000 school-aged children from across Southwest Virginia since opening in 2013. In 2022 we added a full-time engagement manager position focused solely on developing and expanding programs for PK-12 students. Since then, we’ve seen outreach activities increase by about 25% — equating to 5,770 students in the 2023-2024 academic year alone.

A successful crowdfunding campaign in 2019 raised $13,295 to bring Brooklyn-based nonprofit JazzReach to the New River Valley for a series of creative experiences that reached over 1,300 students. With a similar purpose, the Moss Arts Center Fund for K-12 Engagement was established this year to give donors the option to focus their support specifically toward Moss PK-12 programming. One of the first gifts to the new fund came from John and Sally Cox ’79, Moss Arts Partners emeriti.

“As more and more K-12 budgets reduce funding for the arts, we are pleased to support the Moss Arts Center's efforts to bring world class art, dance, and music to Southwest Virginia children,” said John.

In total, the center received over $42,000 in new support for the PK-12 program this year to fund future growth in programming.

“We are proud to support Moss Arts Center's outreach to K-12 children,” Sally said. “We feel strongly that exposure to the arts is an important part of a child's development.”

During the 2023-2024 Season:

• Six school-day matinees, which were attended by 3,743 students from 41 schools across 11 districts.
• Two new outreach programs featuring partnerships with Virginia Tech student music groups: Members of the Marching Virginians spent a day in Giles County, leading musicmaking workshops for pre-kindergarteners from across the area, while student performers with the a cappella ensemble Soulstice worked with students at William Fleming High School in Roanoke during a series of vocal ensemble rehearsals for the center’s new Mentor Artists Program.
• Mixtapestry, a collective art project that engaged more than 300 students from across the New River Valley.
• A sensory-friendly concert performed by visiting quartet Invoke for students from Minnick School of Roanoke and special education programs in Salem and Radford City Schools.

“The matinees provide an incredible experience at Moss, but it’s important for us to also take art into the communities we serve, especially for school systems lacking the resources to be here,” said Margaret Lawrence, Moss Arts Center director of programming. “We also have great partners in our Virginia Tech students who are eager to share their talents and experiences. The next iteration of PK-12 engagement for us at Moss really will involve artists who tour to schools and Virginia Tech student groups.”

The 2024-2025 season features seven school-day matinee performances, including 123 Andrés with Around the Americas, an interactive concert for PK through second grade that explored geography, culture, and music from around the world. While visiting Virginia Tech, 123 Andrés also took its show on the road, performing for two days in Roanoke City Schools. Private support to the new K-12 Fund, combined with endowment support from the Elizabeth McIntosh Mitchell Trauger Excellence Fund and Dr. Mark and Connie Froggatt Education Fund, has helped make these new programs a reality and will continue fueling ideas for unique art experiences.

2023-2024 Participating Schools