The Special Education Foundation is thrilled to bring SEF Presents! Arts in the Classroom program back for another year, giving students in the Special School District (SSD) schools the opportunity to experience the joy and power of live performing arts during the 2026–2027 school year.

Thanks to the continued grant support of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Pat and Ken Schutte family, their gift continues to make this program possible; hundreds of students throughout the Special School District will experience engaging performances without ever leaving their schools.

Throughout the past school year, professional arts organizations—including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Metro Theater Company, The Black Rep, Afriky Lolo, and Opera on the Go—brought live music, theater, storytelling, and interactive performances directly into the SSD schools. These experiences provide students with meaningful opportunities to connect with the arts in a familiar and accessible learning environment.

Last school year, approximately 1,386 students experienced Arts in the Classroom performances, demonstrating the meaningful impact these experiences have across SSD schools.

SEF looks forward to expanding those opportunities and introducing even more students to the transformative power of the arts.

More than entertainment, the SEF Presents! Arts in the Classroom program enriches student learning in powerful ways. Live performances help strengthen communication and language development, encourage creativity and imagination, improve attention and critical thinking, and foster social-emotional growth. Through shared artistic experiences, students build confidence, develop empathy, and create lasting memories with their classmates.

As performances are scheduled throughout the year, we look forward to visiting schools, celebrating these memorable experiences, and sharing photos and stories with our supporters. These moments help demonstrate how community partnerships and generous donors are creating opportunities that inspire creativity, spark imagination, and enrich the educational experience for students with disabilities.

SEF is grateful to the Regional Arts Commission and Schutte Family for their continued investment in this inspiring and engaging program.