Niagara students will have greater access to the Centre for the Arts and Brock’s Theatre in Education series this year thanks to a $10,000 corporate donation.

The donation, made on behalf of Freedom 55 Financial, will give discounted tickets to the 2011-2012 Theatre in Education series to Niagara students in senior kindergarten through Grade 12. It will also support a full ticket subsidy program for students in disadvantaged areas and provide in-school workshops with professional artists.

The contribution is made through the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life.

Over the past seven seasons, 23,330 Niagara students have experienced live performing arts in theatres at Brock. Attendance has grown, but ticket prices remain a financial barrier for many students, said Sara Palmieri, Centre for the Arts sales and marketing manager.

“The Centre for the Arts continually seeks to build and strengthen relationships and make Theatre in Education more accessible to all Niagara students, regardless of income or regional location,” she said.

This season’s performances and in-school workshops will result in “a lot of smiling faces,” said Richard Kemp, regional director with Freedom 55 Financial and a Theatre in Education volunteer.

“We’re pleased to make the centre’s Theatre in Education series more affordable for young people.”