Verizon Renews its Support of Arts Education at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

NEWARK, N.J., April 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NJPAC announced that Verizon has renewed its support of the Arts Center's popular Verizon Passport to Culture SchoolTime and FamilyTime Series with a new three-year $750,000 grant. This latest gift continues a longstanding relationship between NJPAC and Verizon which dates back long before the Arts Center opened in 1997. Verizon is the founding sponsor of the SchoolTime and FamilyTime Series.

"Once again Verizon is out in front in serving New Jersey's children and families," said Lawrence P. Goldman, NJPAC's President and CEO. "Our performance series for young people, educators and families is about more than just putting a good show on the stage. It is a comprehensive learning experience that includes everything from curriculum guides to instruction on theater etiquette to professional development opportunities for teachers. Verizon's dedication to education, literacy and enhancing the quality of life in New Jersey makes them a natural partner for the Arts Center."

Each year, the Verizon Passport to Culture SchoolTime and FamilyTime Series introduces over 100,000 young people, their families and educators to the wonders of live performance through more than 100 performances under the Verizon banner running the gamut from acrobatics and puppetry to moving drama, energetic dance, world music, and much more.

"It is a distinct honor to help the NJPAC bring even more educational, entertaining and life-enhancing arts and music programming to young men and women from around the region," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey. "These programs bring a world of arts and culture to this New Jersey gem and Verizon looks forward to continue being an active neighbor and partner."

A new benefit of the renewed partnership between NJPAC and Verizon is the ability for the Arts Center to share with its students and educators the resources of the Verizon Foundation's Thinkfinity.org, a free, robust Web site with more than 55,000 educational resources across eight academic disciplines. NJPAC has already included links to Thinkfinity.org, Verizon's award-winning Web site, in all of its curriculum guides.

"This is an exciting partnership that has undoubtedly sparked an interest in the arts within our communities," said Patrick Gaston, president of the Verizon Foundation, "and through Thinkfinity.org we'll empower teachers, parents and students with easy-to-use tools that will hopefully encourage and nurture that interest into a love of the arts."