Starting April 20th, we continue the 37th Annual Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. every weekday through May 15th. The Peoria County Regional Office of Education coordinates the event.
As an advocate for both Fine and Applied Arts in Education for over three decades, the GMB Spring Celebration is a four-week performance and exhibition destination for Central Illinois students that includes seven counties throughout Central Illinois: Peoria, Tazewell, Fulton, Woodford, Marshall, Henry, and McLean. All organized educational programs PreK - 12th grade are invited to present their accomplishments in the arts from the current school year at no cost. The event is held in an open-air venue at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza. Two stages run simultaneously.
Fine Arts Programs encompass more than just Choir, Band and Orchestra. Plays, Dance, Readers Theater, Speech Team, Spring Musicals, Writing Classes, and Visual Arts are also showcased at the GMB Spring Celebration. It is our intent to share the importance of Fine Arts in our educational system and invite the community to enjoy each performance this spring and be inspired by the impressive talent of our Central Illinois students. The Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration is essential to the City of Peoria and Central Illinois and affirms our motto that it Plays in Peoria. For a complete schedule or additional information, visit www.springcelebration.org or call (309) 672-6906.
Please contact Dave Poehls at dpoehls@peoriaroe.org for information, interviews, and appearances, or to discuss the program.
The Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration is a Not-for Profit 501(c)3 organization and is part of the Friends of the Regional Office of Education #48.
Additional Program History
In the spring of 2014, the event was renamed by the Peoria County Regional Office of Education to honor retiring and revered Regional Superintendent Gerry Brookhart. Three decades ago, his vision and hard work established the Spring Celebration. Dr. Brookhart continues his involvement and supports the event as a volunteer, mentor, and sponsor. There is a continued need for advocacy for Fine and Applied Arts in Education and the Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration is dedicated to expressing the importance of Fine Arts for our students and our schools.
When the Spring Celebration began in 1986, 1,000 students from 12 Peoria County schools were showcased in one single week. This spring, 37 years later, more than 10,000 students from nearly 100 schools will perform, exhibit, and demonstrate their talents in the Fine and Applied Arts at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza. Students from public and private schools, Pre-K through 12th grade will participate. This year, the celebration will represent seven Central Illinois counties: Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Fulton, Henry, and McLean. The Gerald M. Brookhart Arts In Education Spring Celebration is grateful to our sponsors, donors and in-kind contributors for our 37th season: Caterpillar Inc., The City of Peoria, Enjoy Peoria -Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Community Foundation of Central Illinois, Kidder Music, The County of Peoria, Cook Rentals, Peoria County Bar Association, Mobile Maxx, Gerald M. Brookhart, and Sally Weber. We are also grateful for our Sponsors for a Day.