GENEVA, NY ---- The Smith Center for the Arts, stewards of the historic Smith Opera House in Geneva, received a generous contribution of $5,000 from The Lyons National Bank to support its ArtSmart Educational Theatre program.
LNB Geneva Branch Assistant Manager Kelsey Thibault and Geneva Branch Assistant Vice President Tara R. Rago presented the check to Smith Executive Director Susie Monagan Oct. 4 at the theater.
"We at the Smith are so grateful for The Lyons National Bank's continued support of ArtSmart. Their financial support subsidizes ticket prices, making live theater accessible and affordable for local school districts. ArtSmart programming ties directly to school curricula and allows teachers to inspire and challenge learners to make connections to theatre, music, literature and global culture,” said Monagan.
“Since its inception in the late 1990s, The Lyons National Bank has been proud to be the major sponsor of The Smith’s Arts Smart Program for children. We realize the importance of teaching our future leaders about the cultural value of arts of all type. Moreover, the civility that is engrained in the arts is sorely lacking today. Exposing our youth to the richness of the arts many be one small way of changing that attitude,” said The Lyons National Bank CEO and Chairman Robert A. Schick.
ArtSmart provides educational shows specifically designed for school groups throughout the Finger Lakes region. 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.
For the 2018-2019 season, ArtSmart will present four exciting shows for young audiences and their families. (The series is also suitable to audiences of all ages; the general public is welcome to attend all ArtSmart performances. All tickets are $6.50.)
October 14 and 15: Galumpha: Experiments in Human Architecture.
Dec. 10: Tomás and the Library Lady presented by Childsplay Theatre.
March 24 and 25: They Called Her Vivaldi, presented by Theatre Lovett.
May 5 and 6: The Crucible presented by National Players.
The Smith Center for the Arts, stewards of the historic Smith Opera House, provides quality performing arts and cultural opportunities for Geneva-area residents and regional visitors. It will be celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2019. For more information about ArtSmart and The Smith, visit www.thesmith.org.