Learn. Engage. Transform. Change the world.
The Lied Center makes it possible for students and community members to engage with and learn from international renown artists.
Schools

More than 10,000 children attend free school-only performances annually

Partnering

Proud to partner with SUA to provide interactive, educational programming and leadership opportunities

Arts

3rd graders spend a day behind the scenes learning about drama, dance, make-up and technical theatre

Integrating art into the learning environment promotes interdisciplinary understanding and critical thinking

Preschool Performing Arts

Preschool Performing Arts

The Lied Center partners with USD 497 to bring performing arts experiences to the children at Kennedy Early Childhood Education Center. The goal of the Preschool Performing Arts initiative is to help build an arts curriculum for children in the district’s Pre-K program by sharing performances, instruction and demonstrations to students and their teachers.

KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival

KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival

The Annual KU Powwow is a celebration of American Indian cultures in our community. The Indigenous cultures festival is a free community event that has activities such as Indigenous films, educational workshops, and children’s activities focused on Indigenous cultures and history.

School-Only Programs

School-Only Performances

Preschool through high school students in Lawrence are invited to participate in a performing arts experience with one of the Lied Center’s world-class artists. For the younger audiences, these live arts experiences introduce them to dance, theatre, music and storytelling. It also gives them the opportunity to learn how to be good audience members.

3rd Grade Theatre Arts Day

3rd Grade Theatre Arts Day

3rd Grade Theatre Arts Day gives every 3rd grader in the USD 497 school district a chance to spend an entire day at the theatre learning about drama, dance, make up, technical theatre (lighting, sound, etc.) as well as other behind-the-scenes theatre activities. Students rotate through six different stations. Each station lasts 30 minutes.

Lied Across Kansas

Lied Across Kansas

The Lied Across Kansas program brings performing artists and groups on tour to arts-underserved communities in Kansas. During the tours, students, educators and community members are able to experience the arts in an enhanced way through workshops, performances and conversations with world-class artists—free of charge.

Beyond the Stage

Beyond the Stage

The Lied Center of Kansas provides opportunities to attend, explore, participate and create. We reach “Beyond the Stage” with master classes, discussions, presentations and experiences. We make it possible to engage with and learn from some of the world’s most outstanding artists, including internationally-renowned musicians, dancers, actors and filmmakers.

2025-26 School-only Performances

With the support of the Friends of the Lied, preschool through high school students in Lawrence are invited to participate in a performing arts experience with world-class artists. For younger audiences, these live arts experiences introduce them to dance, theatre, music and storytelling. It also gives them the opportunity to learn how to be good audience members.

Children who are homeschooled or attend schools outside the Lawrence area are also welcome to attend school-only performances; please contact Anthea Scouffas at 785-864-2795 or anthea@ku.edu for more information.

Middle School
Based on a book by Jason Reynolds
High School
International artists Sackett and Ahmed Zaghbouni aka MR MiC join forces to bring a fun and energetic lecture...
3rd-5th Grades
The history and development of jazz.
K to 2nd Grade
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s newest production
Contact
Anthea Scouffas
Director of Engagement/Education
anthea@ku.edu
785-864-2795
2025-26 Education Sponsors
July 2025
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