Manatee Arts Education Council

06/10/2026

Thanks to Your Observer for capturing the magic of smARTen Up Camp and the young artists who discovered new talents! 🎨

This camp would not have been possible without our community partners: the School District of Manatee County, Braden River Elementary, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Embracing Our Differences, Manatee Community Foundation, and The Hecht Foundation.

Over four days, the Manatee Arts Education Council hosted students who are gifted in the arts.

06/04/2026

That's a wrap on smARTen Up Camp! Our students closed out the week with a standout final performance. Thank you to our students and families for joining us for a fun-filled week!

See you next summer! 😎

A special thank you to the partners who invested in our students this week: the School District of Manatee County, Braden River Elementary, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Embracing Our Differences, Manatee Community Foundation, and The Hecht Foundation.

06/03/2026

🎭🎵 Creativity is alive at smARTen Up Camp! 🎨💃

This week, 75 students are singing, dancing, acting, and creating alongside Manatee County visual and performing arts teachers, with a special showcase performance to close it all out on Thursday. We’re so glad these students could join us to explore their talents and let their creativity shine! 🌟

We're incredibly grateful to our community partners the School District of Manatee County, Braden River Elementary, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Embracing Our Differences, Manatee Community Foundation, and The Hecht Foundation for bringing this experience to life for our students.

04/30/2026

✨ A truly memorable evening honoring outstanding students and the bright future of the Arts in our community!

We were proud to host the Young Artist Scholarship Presentations & Reception last night at the new Herrig Center for the ARTS to celebrate the amazing talent and creativity we have in the School District of Manatee County!

Congratulations to our 2026 Young Artist Scholarship recipients, each awarded a $1,000 scholarship:
🎨 Art: Zachary Woodside (Manatee High School)
🎨 Art: Ayanna Williams (Manatee School For the Arts)
- Ayanna’s scholarship was sponsored this year by the Manatee River Artists Guild - Thank you!

🎷 Band: Alexa Helton (Braden River High School)
🎶 Chorus: Moira Corbett (Manatee High School)
💃 Dance: Madelyn Knickerbocker (State College of Florida Collegiate School)
🎭 Theatre/Drama: Hailey Lipham (Parrish Community High School)

❤️ A special thank you to everyone who joined us to support, celebrate, and promote the Arts across Manatee County.

04/29/2026

Join us tonight at 6:30 PM for the Young Artist Scholarship Presentations & Reception at the NEW Herrig Center for the ARTS!

Come out to support the arts across Manatee County and celebrate our 2026 Young Artist Scholarship recipients!

No RSVP needed—just bring a friend and help us celebrate the incredible talent in our community!

04/20/2026

You’re invited to an evening of art, talent, and celebration! 🌟

Join the Manatee Arts Education Council for the Young Artist Scholarship Presentations & Reception on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30 PM at the NEW Herrig Center for the ARTS.

Come out to support and champion the arts across Manatee County and celebrate our 2026 Young Artist Scholarship recipients, who will be awarded $1,000 each!

🎨 Art: Zachary Woodside (Manatee High School)
🎨 Art: Ayanna Williams (Manatee School For the Arts)
🎷 Band: Alexa Helton (Braden River High School)
🎶 Chorus: Moira Corbett (Manatee High School)
💃 Dance: Madelyn Knickerbocker (State College of Florida Collegiate School)
🎭 Theatre/Drama: Hailey Lipham (Parrish Community High School)

💙 A special thank you to the Manatee River Artists Guild for sponsoring the Art scholarships!

No RSVP needed—just bring a friend and help us celebrate the incredible talent in our community!

04/20/2026

Summer creativity starts here! 🎨🔅

There are a limited number of camp openings still left! Register today!

The smARTen Up Camp presented by the Manatee Education Arts Council, in partnership with the School District of Manatee County, is an ALL-DAY arts summer camp for rising first through sixth grade students. Activities include dance, music, orchestra, theater, art and more – all taught by certified Manatee County arts teachers.
If your child loves to create, this summer camp is for them! 😎

Register today at http://MAEC.org
📅 When: June 1 - 4, 2026 | Monday through Thursday
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 Where: Braden River Elementary, 6125 River Club Blvd, Bradenton
💰 Cost: $25 Registration
$200 - First Child | $175 - Second Child
$25 Extended Supervision Fee

03/30/2026

Proof our students have the best moves around 💃 MAEC is proud to sponsor “Yes We Can DANCE.” Congratulations to all the middle and high school students on a wonderful performance!

03/10/2026

Summer creativity starts here! 🎨🔅

The smARTen Up Camp presented by the Manatee Education Arts Council, in partnership with the School District of Manatee County, is an ALL-DAY arts summer camp for rising first through sixth grade students. Activities include dance, music, orchestra, theater, art and more – all taught by certified Manatee County arts teachers.

If your child loves to create, this summer camp is for them! 😎

Register today at http://MAEC.org

📅 When: June 1 - 4, 2026 | Monday through Thursday

⏰ Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

📍 Where: Braden River Elementary, 6125 River Club Blvd, Bradenton

💰 Cost: $25 Registration
$200 - First Child | $175 - Second Child
$25 Extended Supervision Fee

03/05/2026

🎭 Calling all young creators and dreamers! 🎶

The Manatee Arts Education Council is now accepting applications for the 2026 Young Artist Scholarship! This scholarship will be awarded to 7 students pursuing visual and performing arts to help turn their passion into possibility.

💰 Award: $1,000 per student
📆 Deadline: April 6, 2026
🎨 Eligibility: Manatee County Seniors in a public school or public charter. Scholarships will be given out in seven categories – Visual Art, Band, Chorus, Dance, Film, Orchestra, and Theatre.

👉 Learn more and apply now through the online portal! https://mefinfo.org/students-families/

Share this with a talented student pursuing their artistic dreams — because financial barriers shouldn’t limit creative potential.