On the Road 2026 End of Year Impact Summary

As we approach the end of our fiscal year, the Sandler Center Foundation is filled with gratitude for the 21,982 students we served. That is nearly four times the seating capacity of Radio City Music Hall! This year has been full of meaningful work, and we are energized by what lies ahead.

SCF shows up both in schools and throughout the community, bringing arts education to children who often have limited access to creative opportunities. That is the heart of Sandler On the Road. We connect arts organizations with students across Coastal Virginia to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Young people need more chances to express themselves, and we are meeting them where they are to show how the arts can make learning come alive.

Here is how we did it.

Of the 21,982 students we reached this year, 16,147 participated through our On the Road programs. Thanks to our partnering arts organizations, including Richmond Ballet, the United States Navy Fleet Weather Center Norfolk, and Brasswind, we reached more students than ever through performing arts centered education.

We collaborated with Richmond Ballet, the state ballet of Virginia, to bring a family friendly lecture demonstration of Sleeping Beauty to 14 Virginia Beach City Public Schools, including 11 Title I schools. More than 3,100 students in grades K through 5 experienced the professional world of dance through an adapted performance that reinforced communication skills, literacy through story elements, and classroom learning.

These performances were aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning and supported by teacher guides. This project was funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly. 

We also launched new partnerships with Brasswind and the US Navy’s Fleet Weather Center Norfolk to create a hands-on demonstration that blends technology, music, and sound.

In its first year, this collaboration reached 13,000 students in grades 5 and up across Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Public Schools. We are grateful to everyone who made the exhibitions possible at NAS Oceana’s STEM Day at the Air Show and at Virginia Beach Public Schools’ Xpedition Port of Call Immersive Career Expo. 

Help us prepare the next generation of arts professionals by donating to SCF. 

This is how we empower our Coastal Virginia community. Through performing arts programs that create lasting impact.

Now we need YOUR help. Support the future of arts education by donating to Sandler On the Road today. All donations of $1,000 or more are eligible for NAP Credits from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Learn more HERE.

Thank you for bringing learning to life.