Learn & Engage

K-12 Programs

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago student matinee

Northrop is ready to welcome students back for the school year with four more exciting field-trip opportunities! Another world-class line-up of educational, engaging, and thought-provoking music and dance programming awaits your students in Northrop’s 2024-25 Student Matinees schedule. Tickets on sale now—with options for in-person, livestream, and on-demand viewing.

The 2024-25 Northrop Season includes four student matinees, including a multidisciplinary experience with Bharatanatyam dance from Twin Cities-based Ragamala Dance Company, the spirited UMN Marching Band indoor concert, and a world-class ballet experience by BalletMet. The fourth student matinee offered is provided with our partner VocalEssence. For the WITNESS Young People’s Concert, VocalEssence joins a collective of Twin Cities-based artists to present songs and stories centered on the Civil Rights Movement.

2024-25 Student Matinees

Ragamala Student Matinee event page

Northrop Presents

Thu, Oct 31, 10:30 am CT
In-Person / Livestream 
On-demand through Nov 8

Marching Band Student Matinee event page

Northrop and UMN School of Music Present

Fri, Nov 15, 10:30 am is currently at capacity
On-demand Dec 6-20 is Free with Registration

WITNESS Student Matinee event page

Northrop and VocalEssence Present

Fri, Feb 21, 10:00 am & *12:00 pm CT
In-person (Sold Out) / *Livestream
*On-demand through Feb 28
Free Event, Advance Registration Required

When you order tickets to a student matinee, the benefits include:

  • $3.50 tickets per student

  • No cost for all chaperones

  • Online offerings—only $25 per classroom / $5 per homeschool

  • Bus reimbursement—everyone is eligible

  • Study materials that meet and support MN Academic Standards

  • Q&A sessions with artists

  • Access to a Sensory Friendly Lounge hosted by trained staff

  • Seating in a historic theater on the friendly UMN Campus

The WITNESS Young People's Concert includes all the benefits above, and these key differences:

  • Tickets for the WITNESS Young People’s Concert are free.

  • Registration is provided by VocalEssence.

  • When registered for the program, your school will also receive access to two free days of classroom workshops with a VocalEssence Teaching Artist, a program orientation with professional development for teachers, and access to additional classroom resources. 

  • There is no bus reimbursement. If you are facing a financial barrier to securing bussing for the concert, please email matinees@umn.edu and we will be happy to work with you.

For more information or questions, please email matinees@umn.edu.

Stay In the Know

Providing Access to the Arts

Northrop proudly engages students in meaningful experiences that expand their worldview and provide the hope and joy the arts offer through its K-12 matinee program. The program provides students and educators high-quality and affordable arts programming with expanded access online and flexible on-demand options that fit school schedules. Each performance is augmented with additional study materials that meet learning standards, as well as resources to guide students about arts performances.

Access To Arts Education Matters

  • Research shows that children who study the arts demonstrate stronger overall academic performance, helping to produce creative thinkers that employers need in an increasingly complex workforce.

  • K-12 students involved with the arts show higher levels of success in math and reading skills, and additional skills are strengthened in communication and problem-solving abilities.

  • Exposure to the arts help K-12 students improve ACT/SAT test scores, perform higher on standardized tests, and achieve higher GPAs. These students are less likely to drop out of school and three times more likely to receive a bachelor's degree in higher education.

  • Both state and federal laws require K-12 schools to provide arts education for students to foster a more well-rounded education.

Student Matinee

Arts education impacts Minnesota students by strengthening their skills in:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Expression and evaluation skills
  • Empathy and valuing others
  • Collaboration
  • Creative-thinking and innovation

Source:
2019 Report provided by Minnesota Citizens for the Arts through study results of 2016 by Creative MN