Arts Center awarded M&T Charitable Foundation grant

The Penn College Community Arts Center has been awarded a grant of $5,000 from the M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank.

The funding will be used to support educational programming at the venue, reinforcing the Arts Center’s mission to offer programming that is appropriate to the diverse interests and needs of our regional audience and priced fairly to assure accessibility to all.

“At M&T, we’re proud to support arts and culture in northcentral Pennsylvania through our grant to the Penn College Community Arts Center and its impactful educational programming,” said Carmen Magistro, northern Pennsylvania regional president for M&T Bank. “The Arts Center is a cultural cornerstone for the region - driving creativity, tourism and economic activity while bringing world-class performances and learning opportunities to Williamsport and beyond. We commend Penn College for thoughtfully integrating its academic and vocational expertise into the Arts Center, creating hands-on experiences that connect education, creativity and career pathways. Most importantly, this work is expanding access to the arts for young people across the region, inspiring the next generation and strengthening the community for years to come.” 

Annually, since 2007, the Arts Center has provided thousands of students access to exceptional arts programming through its Educational Series, enhancing the classroom curriculum of nine school districts. Another highly engaging and experience-enriched student opportunity is the holiday production of "The Nutcracker." Produced in collaboration with St. John’s School of the Arts dance ensemble and Williamsport Youth Choir, it includes more than 125 young ballet dancers and musicians (K-12). As part of its educational programming, the historic theater also presents a summer program in collaboration with the Community Theatre League. This popular musical, featuring junior and high school students, includes over eight weeks of daily rehearsals and culminates in three days of performances in late July. This summer’s Community Encore Production is "Anastasia."

“We are incredibly grateful for the M&T Charitable Foundation’s support of our educational programming. The foundation's partnership is instrumental in allowing us to continue providing unique, high-quality experiences for the youth in our community,” said Ana Gonzalez-White, director of development and community relations for the Arts Center. “We believe the arts are vital to a vibrant community. This support helps us fill a critical need in our educational landscape, ensuring young people have access to transformative, hands-on artistic experiences." 
Funding for the educational programs is derived from various sources, including EITC funds, individual donations, corporate sponsorships and grants. For more information about giving opportunities, contact Gonzalez-White at 570-327-7657 or by email.

The Penn College Community Arts Center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the region through the arts. By presenting diverse performances, educational programs and community initiatives, the Arts Center fosters creativity, learning and cultural enrichment for audiences of all ages. The Arts Center is owned and operated by Pennsylvania College of Technology, a national leader in applied technology education.

M&T Bank Corp. is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services with a branch and ATM network spanning the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank.