Learn & Engage

K-12 Programs

Students in the audience follow along with the dancers on stage.

Northrop welcomes students back next school year with four more exciting field-trip opportunities! Another world-class lineup of educational, engaging, and thought-provoking music and dance programming awaits your students in Northrop’s 2025–26 Student Matinees schedule. Tickets are on sale now—with options for in-person, livestream, and on-demand viewing.

The 2025–26 Northrop Season features four student matinees, including the interactive, dynamic dance exploration Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE Featuring TU Dance, the rousing UMN Marching Band Indoor Concert, and Martha Graham Dance Company, a celebratory modern dance program for middle and high school students. Additionally, we welcome back our partner VocalEssence for WITNESS: Eyes Still on the Prize II. VocalEssence joins a collective of Twin Cities-based artists to introduce us to three Minnesota women who continue to make a positive impact on our society as they speak out about and stand up for change.

2025–26 Student Matinees On Now

Link, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE student matinee event page

Northrop Presents

Thu, Oct 30, 10:30 am
For up to 20 in-person tickets, call 612-624-2345.

Link, UMN Marching Band student matinee event page

Northrop and UMN School of Music Present

Fri, Nov 21, 10:30 am
On-demand Dec 12–19

For up to 20 in-person tickets, call 612-624-2345.

Link, Martha Graham Dance Company student matinee event page

Northrop Presents

Fri, Feb 6, 10:30 am

For up to 20 in-person tickets, call 612-624-2345.

Link, Student Matinee: WITNESS: Eyes Still on the Prize II event page

Northrop and VocalEssence Present

Fri, Feb 20, 10:15 am & *12:45 pm CT
In-person / *Livestream
*On-demand through Feb 27
Free Event, Advance Registration Required

To reserve 21 or more in-person tickets

Select the Performance(s)

Select the Student Matinee Performance(s) You Will be Attending In-person

Thu, Oct 30, 10:30 am | $4.50 per studentNO COST for chaperones.

  • In-person Only
  • Recommended for Grades 5–12

For orders up to 20 tickets, call the Box Office at 612-624-2345.

Reserve More Than 20 Tickets

Fri, Nov 21, 10:30 am | $4.50 per studentNO COST for chaperones.

  • Recommended for Grades 3–12

For in-person orders of up to 20 tickets, call the Box Office at 612-624-2345.

On-demand Dec 12–19 is free with registration. 

Register for On-demand Now

Reserve More Than 20 Tickets

Fri, Feb 6, 10:30 am | $4.50 per studentNO COST for chaperones.

  • In-person Only
  • Recommended for Grades 5–12

For orders of up to 20 tickets, call the Box Office at 612-624-2345.

Reserve More Than 20 Tickets

Please refer to the University of Minnesota Safety of Minors adult:student ratio when placing your reservation for tickets: 

  • 1:8 for 3rd grade & younger
  • 1:10 for 4th–8th grades
  • 1:12 for 9th–12th grades

School Info

School Address

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Billing Contact Info

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Alternate Contact Info

Need help? Contact us at matinees@umn.edu

That's a wrap! 

Thank you for an amazing 2024-25 Northrop Season! Submit your bus reimbursement by May 19 for 2024-25.

Bus Reimbursement Program

Stay In the Know

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

  • $4.50 tickets per student for in-person matinees

  • No cost for all chaperones

  • Free online offerings for select matinees

  • Bus reimbursement

  • 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 WITNESS: Eyes Still on the Prize II 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.

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