I loved all of the positivity! Everyone was so kind and helpful, and it made it a really safe and fun creative environment.
Incredible experience. Well planned and well executed.
My grandchildren... were still talking about it the next morning!
Your dedication to creating these enriching and impactful experiences for our students is truly commendable.
My students could not stop talking about this experience!
Excellent performance and perfect setting.
Zoellner is a great resource for the community. Thank you for continuing to drive excellence in the arts.
A Letter from the Executive Director
The Lehigh Valley is a mosaic of urban, suburban, and rural communities, each with its unique demographic backgrounds and economic landscapes. Yet, access to the arts often varies based on one’s zip code. At Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center, we are dedicated to fostering a community where high-quality arts are accessible to all, regardless of geographical location, cultural or economic background. Our vision for the future is one where systemic barriers to arts engagement are removed, and every member of the community actively participates in and contributes to the arts. To achieve this, we are pioneering community arts programs that transcend traditional models of passive spectatorship. Collaborating with innovators and early adopters, we aim to create sustainable initiatives that empower communities to engage with the arts in new and meaningful ways.
–Mark Wilson
Zoellner Arts Center has authentically and intentionally committed themselves to provide diverse content reflective of our community. Students at Broughal Middle School have shared with us how impactful it is to see artists that look like them on stage. Zoellner’s thoughtful programming will encourage you to think and talk about many culturally relevant things!
Meg Dowd Corporate A airs Manager, Just Born
Our Mission
THE MISSION OF ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER is to infuse the arts into the life of Lehigh University and the greater Lehigh Valley community by presenting high-quality multi-disciplinary programs, by fostering life-long patronage of the arts, and by integrating our educational resources to enhance our human experience.
COMMUNICATE OUR STORY effectively to connect with our community.
Achieve and maintain the FINANCIAL STABILITY necessary to ensure and grow high-quality arts programs.
Provide HIGH-QUALITY RESOURCES, including personnel, performance spaces and equipment for producing and presenting creative works.
Vision Statement
We envision a world where Zoellner Arts Center is a community connector; bringing together THE ENTIRE LEHIGH VALLEY.
Strategic Goals
To ensure we can continue to provide entertainment and performing arts education to the entire Lehigh Valley community, please consider making a gift to Zoellner Arts Center today.
Presenting Series
Wonderful facility, comfortable, great sta , brilliant performance. Glad we found you!
16,588
TOTAL NUMBER OF PATRONS AT PRESENTING SERIES
Such a quality performance in a lovely space.
Zoellner is a great resource for the community. Thank you for continuing to drive excellence in the arts.
Thank you for the 2 additional free tickets (new sta welcome). My visitors and I were very impressed with Sphinx Virtuosi. I also enjoyed El Sistema and am pleased to hear the University is involved in giving back to the community. Zoellner sta have been awesome every time I have interacted with them.
This was such a fun concert!
Glad it was a full house and looking forward to more events @ Zoellner.
It was a wonderful evening, very good experience. I will definitely be attending more events at the Zoellner Arts Center.
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo was wonderful: from age 3-9: my grandchildren enjoyed the humor and learning and dinosaur personalities as much as I did! They were still talking about it the next morning!
The author series are once-in-a-lifetime events.
Thank you for hosting Neil Gaiman.
Excellent performance and perfect setting.
Seeing the San Diego Symphony was an incredible experience and high quality performance! I was honored to be a part of such a special night!
The performance was magical.
Love Zoellner and love the quality of entertainment brought to this venue.
Nick, Ryan and the rest of the sta were wonderful. Appreciated accommodations they provided. Outstanding communication and customer service.
Our first experience at Zoellner while one of us was wheelchair mounted. Excellent access, attention from sta , and arrangements for wheelchair patrons.
Family Series
FIVE FAMILY SERIES SHOWS
2,632 ATTENDEES
97% of attending children rated the shows AWESOME
156 children attended 11 STORY TIMES
FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 meetings, 52 attendees
Just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic day today!
Excellent family entertainment! The additional activities in the lobby was perfect for kids, adding to the theater experience. Thank you!
– Rainbow Fish attendee
We just left Family day with our two granddaughters and it could not have been any better. We are subscribers and love sharing performances with our family!
– Family Day attendee
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo was wonderful: from age 3-9: my grandchildren enjoyed the humor and learning and dinosaur personalities as much as I did! They were still talking about it the next morning!
– Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live attendee
Education Connections
My students could not stop talking about this experience!
43 TOTAL EVENTS
8,367 TOTAL STUDENTS
Education Connections
I hadn’t realized that none of my students had seen live music performed professionally. The two performers also shared their Korean culture with the students which was eye opening. They could not stop talking about this experience!
– CELLOGAYAGEUM attendee
Inclusion of active participation was great for my students. They really enjoyed the humor and it was modeled in a way where the show continued to move forward.
– ERTH’s Dinosaur Zoo Live attendee
The students getting to see themselves represented not only on the stage but also in the composers! As well as them getting to see more contemporary pieces!
– Sphinx Virtuosi attendee
Significant connection to the student’s culture was a positive experience.
– Sugar Skull attendee
EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PARTICIPANTS
Allentown School District
Allentown Diocese
Arts Academy Charter Middle School
Bethlehem Area School District
Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21
Holy Infancy School
Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts
Nazareth Area School District
Northern Lehigh School District
Parkland School District
Saucon Valley School District
Whitehall-Coplay School District
Any Given Child Bethlehem
The strategies we worked on together were amazing and increased engagement immediately.
VISION
CORE VALUES
A LEARNING COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY CHILD EXPERIENCES, CREATES, AND VALUES THE ARTS.
FAST FACTS
WE BELIEVE IN: The arts as a powerful tool for transformative change Community collaboration and transformative community impact Integrity and providing equity at all costs Building an engaged learning community
Any Given Child Bethlehem provides access to the arts for all children, Grades K-8
The City of Bethlehem became the 24th Any Given Child city in the United States in 2017.
AGCB has three governing partners:
• The Bethlehem Area School District
• The City of Bethlehem
• Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University
AGCB has three main goals:
• Provide curriculum-based experiences
• Provide community-based teaching artists
• Support professional learning for BASD teachers
AGCB is supported by The Kennedy Center, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, and AGCB pARTners
Any Given Child Bethlehem
Adam was a fantastic facilitator. He listened to ideas and a rmed them and answered questions confidently with solutions. This was a worthwhile experience. Thank you!
I really enjoyed this b-flex. It helped me to look at di erent ways to help my students and get them to think outside the box.
This was a very helpful, engaging workshop. The instructor was very positive and inviting. He did a great job inspiring us.
Donegan Elementary and Creative Teaching Strategies
Pilot with 12 teachers, 3 coaches and 4 administrators. Collaborative lesson planning, observation & feedback, co-teaching, guest-teaching
As a Kindergarten teacher I am constantly on a quest to bring joy and excitement into my classroom. I signed up to be a part of the Creative Teaching Strategies pilot program in hopes to do just that. The strategies we worked on together were amazing and increased engagement immediately. It was wonderful to have Adam available to come in and support in any capacity. My students ended up getting very attached to Adam which helped build our classroom community. I look forward to even more integration this upcoming school year.
The Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation is a proud founding funder of the Any Given Child program in the Lehigh Valley and a longtime philanthropic supporter of the arts in our community. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to engage in quality art programs – both in school and throughout life.
Community Connections
SUPPORTING OUR LEHIGH VALLEY COMMUNITY
The excitement and enthusiasm [is] still radiating from our students...
879 FREE TICKETS GIVEN
9 COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS with 133 guests
5 COMMUNITY YOUTH WORKSHOPS with 118 guests
40+ COMMUNITY CONNECTION VISITS
I am writing to extend my profound appreciation for the incredible opportunities you made possible for the students of El Sistema Lehigh Valley. The collaborative e ort that led to the rehearsal and dinner with the Sphinx Virtuosi musicians last Tuesday marked the beginning of a truly impactful week, culminating in Friday’s student performance and the outstanding Sphinx Virtuosi concert. Your dedication to creating these enriching and impactful experiences for our students is truly commendable. The significance of this work cannot be overstated, and it is a privilege to collaborate with like-minded organizations such as yours.
The excitement and enthusiasm still radiating from our students are a testament to the success of these experiences. Your entire Zoellner sta demonstrated nothing but kindness and professionalism throughout our time together, underscoring the excellence and e ciency of your establishment.
Thank you again for everything. I look forward to the possibility of many more collaborations and the development of a strong community partnership in the future. Here’s to a fantastic season ahead for Zoellner Arts Center.
– Amanda Haag, El Sistema
Creating a Shared Bethlehem Experience: Community Conversations
In the 2023-2024 season, Zoellner Arts Center fulfilled a grant through the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation CORE Fellowship to highlight the unique opportunity that Zoellner has to foster an environment of connection and community through the arts. We invited participants from community organizations to broaden connections in rural, suburban, and urban parts of the Lehigh Valley (and beyond) and to bring together guests from di erent walks of life in order to gain a variety of perspectives. We welcomed new guests and our new subscribers to the conversations. Among those invited to the conversations were lapsed Zoellner subscribers, long-time patrons and supporters whose input helped us to deepen our connection to them and to Zoellner Arts Center.
FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS...
Positive shift in community involvement!
A lovely evening for dinner and discussion. I never knew Zoellner does so much within the community and on campus. Thank you for inviting us.
Piloting the Community Conversations were our facilitators from the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, Ellen Greenberg and Guillermo Lopez Jr. With their guidance, we were able to create a warm and welcoming environment that encouraged candid discussion and feedback. We answered questions, learned about their needs and what keeps them coming back.
Community Conversations incorporated dinner, music, arts activities, and a show. Our goal is for Zoellner Arts Center to connect e ectively with the community, to ensure and grow high-quality arts programs, and to provide high-quality resources for producing creative works. We hope to achieve this by engaging the community in decisionmaking and demonstrating the value of diversity and inclusion. Ultimately, we envision Zoellner Arts Center to be a connector; bringing together the entire Lehigh Valley.
Connecting Campus with the Community
I was so moved by this communal experience and the way it engaged the community.
Creating a Shared Bethlehem Experience: Strike Anywhere
The Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble concluded its residency with their captivating site-specific, community-based theatre piece, “POP UP: An Artistic Adventure,” a tribute to the rich tapestry of Bethlehem’s community and the transformative power of the arts.
Crafted from intimate interviews with local residents, the show illuminated the hopes, dreams, and cherished memories that define Bethlehem. Through the unique improvisational technique of soundpainting, performances unfolded in real-time, uniting over 100 local artists of diverse backgrounds and experience levels.
LOCATIONS
creating a space where art could be experienced, appreciated, and cherished.”
7
across Lehigh University and the SouthSide of Bethlehem
205 PATRONS ATTENDED two performances by Strike Anywhere
“At its core, ‘POP UP’ was about bringing our community’s stories to life,” explained Leese Walker, Producing Artistic Director of Strike Anywhere. “We wanted to create an experience that resonated with everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the arts.”
Throughout Lehigh’s campus and South Bethlehem, performances emerged unexpectedly, prompting attendees to discover and engage with their community in a profound manner. “We encouraged everyone to participate actively,” Walker emphasized. “It was about
As attendees documented their experiences, social media buzzed with reflections shared through #POPUPBethlehem, showcasing how art can spark dialogue and unite diverse perspectives.
Supported by community partners such as ArtsQuest, Bethlehem Area School District, and Touchstone Theatre, among others, “POP UP: An Artistic Adventure” underscored the vital role of the arts in fostering community pride and cultural exchange.
“Through art, we celebrate what makes Bethlehem unique,” Walker concluded. “It’s about recognizing that art isn’t just a form of expression; it’s a catalyst for understanding, connection, and collective joy.”
Connecting Campus with the Community
EVENT SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
ArtsQuest
Bethlehem Area School District
Touchstone Theatre
Moravian University
Mr. Lee’s Noodles
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
Bethlehem Farmers’ Market
Ice House
Venture X
City of Bethlehem
Lehigh University Student A airs (Lehigh After Dark)
Bethlehem Area Public Library
Lehigh University Dining
Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley
Northampton Community College
Not only an incredibly creative performance but I learned a lot from the character portrayals.
“I was so moved by this communal experience and the way it engaged the community and landscape of the University and city of Bethlehem.
Incredible experience. Well planned and well executed.
Campus Connections
I got to expand my artistic knowledge to a project I would’ve never thought to try on my own.
13 UNIQUE PROGRAMS
800+ ATTENDEES at Creative Campus programs
_____ PARTNERSHIPS _____
Kingfisher Theatre
Coalition for Alternative Transportation
ArtsQuest
Agile Rascal Bike Theatre Company
Bethlehem Farmers’ Market
Touchstone Theatre
Bethlehem Area SD
Distinctly Unique
Actor/Composer Andrew R. Butler
Lehigh University
Art Galleries
Center for Gender Equity
College of Business
Dept. of History
Dept. of Music
Dept. of Political Science
Dept. of Sociology
Dept. of Theatre
LTS (Library and Technology Services)
O ce of Sustainability
Pride Center
Wilbur Powerhouse
FROM THE AGILE RASCAL WORKSHOP...
It was super inspiring to see a group of people who had a fun idea and actually decided to pursue it, even though it was more di cult than they expected.
I’m not a super art inclined person, so I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to seek more of it in the future, but easy and small projects like this definitely allow me to see the fun parts of art and gain more confidence in myself as an artist.
I think I gained a new creative perspective and also got to expand my artistic knowledge to a project I would’ve never thought to try on my own.
FROM WORKSHOPS WITH BILL GEORGE
Definitely had deeper thoughts on myself and the relationships I want.
I feel like I’ve gained a new perspective on how movement contributes to storytelling.
The movement and exercise were really refreshing and helpful in terms of exploring myself and also applying to my professional field.
I loved all of the positivity! Everyone was so kind and helpful, and it made it a really safe and fun creative environment.
I get a lot from this class. I understand what theater character means and how movement connects to emotion. For the interview part, I feel I can integrate it into my therapy with the client.
Arts & Humanities Convening
Excellent! Great to be with folks, energizing, and well organized.
Creating New Pennsylvania Connections A Statewide Convening
Lehigh University hosted the first “Pennsylvania Arts & Humanities: A Statewide Convening” on November 1, 2023, in Zoellner Arts Center to benefit statewide arts and humanities organizations whose resources were impacted by the pandemic.
The university saw a need to support organizations in its community. The summit was an opportunity for organizations to learn about federal and state resources available to support their work. Based on positive feedback from attendees, organizers hope to regularly hold the event.
An estimated 300 directors, CEOs, development development o cers and grants administrators from dozens of cultural and arts organizations around the state attended the convening, which Lehigh co-hosted with U.S. Senator Robert Casey.
The event began with introductions from Lehigh University President Joseph J. Helble ’82. Casey, whose team members were present at the summit, gave live remarks via Zoom. Mark Wilson, the executive director of Zoellner Arts Center, encouraged attendees to engage with each other about their work and create new connections during the summit.
“Those in the arts and humanities tell the stories of the urban, suburban and rural communities, the broken, the lost, the marginalized, the unforgotten, powerful, powerless, the popular, the unpopular ideas and the famous and infamous people, places and things of Pennsylvania,” Wilson said.
“These stories are told through film, spoken word, literature, music, theater and art.”
“Continue to tell these stories,” he urged.
In a prepared statement prior to the event, Casey said Pennsylvania has a long, storied history of producing some of the nation’s finest creative minds, from Andrew Wyeth to Tina Fey.
“By continuing to invest in the arts and humanities, we aren’t just strengthening our world class educational institutions and creating a brighter future for our students—we’re also continuing a tradition which has long made our Commonwealth a great place to live.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Lehigh University to support the arts and humanities in Pennsylvania.”
Arts & Humanities Convening
QUOTES FROM PARTICIPANTS
It was a great networking opportunity and was well organized.
Informative and right length of time.
It was very rewarding for everyone who attended.
Excellent! Great to be with folks, energizing, and well organized.
I enjoyed meeting with other professionals from across the state.
I was happy to network with folks from all over Pennsylvania.
LEHIGH
Experiencing the open interchange of ideas was truly rewarding.
– Robert Flowers
Herbert J. and Ann L. Siegel Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Hosting this event, fostering crucial conversations and enduring partnerships across the Commonwealth, is a source of pride. These discussions not only shape our collective future but also strengthen our resolve toward collaborative solutions that preserve our rich cultural heritage, enrich our communities, and pave the way for a vibrant, inclusive arts and culture ecosystem.
– Provost Nathan Urban speaking with Dr. Colleen J. Shogan, the 11th Archivist of the United States
By the Numbers
8,367 K–12 STUDENTS
6,385 LEHIGH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Agree/Strongly Agree
Supporters
Leadership Funding
Victoria E. and Robert E. Zoellner ’54 ’15GP
With Support From
The Long Family Endowment for Community Outreach in the Arts
Our work is not possible without the generosity of supporters like you. Click here to ensure we can continue to make an impact in the Lehigh Valley community.
Marc A. Falato ’87 Presenting Series Endowment Fund
Brenda & John McGlade ’76 ’81G
The John J. Pohanka Family Foundation
Notations
Ann Neitzel Endowment Fund for Poetry and Creative Writing ZOELLNER
ARTS CE NT ER
Creative Writing Program
Enid M. & Michael J. Seiden ’63 ’64
Anne R. Kline ’81 Endowed Fund for Creatively Integrated Programming
Additional Support
The Arnan and Marlene Finkelstein Endowment Fund
The Klees Family Instrumental Ensemble Endowed Fund
Community Acknowledgments
Lehigh University
Zoellner Arts Center receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
