PlayhouseSquare to Host 17th Annual Fair on the Square 4/26

The Community Engagement & Education Department at PlayhouseSquare will welcome hundreds of educators from all over Northeast Ohio to the 17th annual Fair on the Square presented by Huntington Bank on Monday, April 26th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the State Theatre. At this free arts education and field trip expo, the only event of its kind in Greater Cleveland, educators can network with colleagues and prepare for next school year.

"Our goal for Fair on the Square is to inspire and nurture educators in providing meaningful arts experiences for their students," said Colleen Porter, director of community engagement &education at PlayhouseSquare. "We also aim to support and celebrate Northeast Ohio's cultural community. Fair on the Square brings these two groups together for collaboration and networking to build a vibrant arts education community for our children."

Those who attend Fair on the Square this year will have the opportunity to browse through more than 50 exhibits to learn about field trips and curriculum enhancement opportunities available throughout Northeast Ohio for the 2010-2011 school year. Some of the exhibitors for this year include the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Great Lakes Theater Festival, The Holden Arboretum, Inlet Dance Theatre, Progressive Arts Alliance and the Stocker Arts Center.

The Ohio Alliance for Arts Education is sponsoring two professional development workshops before the Fair at 3 p.m. Educators can choose to explore arts education assessment or discover tools to garner funding and support for arts education programs. The workshop registration fee is $5 and includes parking and refreshments.

Fair on the Square is also the first opportunity for educators to find out what shows will be presented by the Community Engagement & Education Department as part of the 2010-11 Children's Theater Series for Schools. "We are very proud of the series we've put together for next year. There will be a wide variety of opportunities for educators to share the experience of live theater with their students," explained Porter.

Support for Fair on the Square is provided by Huntington Bank, Barnes & Noble, Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Dominion, the Ohio Arts Council and WFHM 95.5 FM "The Fish."

Educators can register for Fair on the Square and the professional development workshops online at playhousesquare.org/faironthesquare or by calling 216-664-6061.

PlayhouseSquare understands its vital role as an educator in our community, and is committed to providing arts learning opportunities of the highest quality to enrich the lives of students, families, teachers and adults. PlayhouseSquare's Community Engagement & Education Department is unique in the performing arts industry for the variety of programs it offers, the partnerships it initiates and the access it provides students, educators and aspiring artists to performing arts professionals. Since its inception in 1998, the Community Engagement & Education Department has offered thousands of events, workshops, classes and more, most with minimal or no fees, to people of all ages from all areas of Northeast Ohio. The generous support of individual and corporate donors and foundations makes it all possible.

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