Gannon University has awarded funding to five Erie-area nonprofit
organizations through its 2026 Schuster Re-Grant Initiative, supporting youth-focused arts programming
across the community.
The Schuster Re-Grant Initiative, administered through Gannon’s Schuster Program for the Arts, provides
funding to regional nonprofit organizations that offer meaningful arts experiences for young people. This
year, a total of $10,000 was awarded among selected recipients to support projects that encourage
creativity, artistic exploration and community engagement.
The 2026 Schuster Re-Grant recipients are:
- Opened Eyes for its WhatARTU Youth Art Showcase
- Erie Center for Arts & Technology for its Teen Art Club
- Dafmark Dance Theater for its summer art classes
- Erie Philharmonic for its Mini Maestros Sound Playground
- Inner-City Neighborhood Art House for its Wearable Art Project
“We are excited to contribute funds that support the artistic growth of Erie’s youth through accessible and
engaging activities,” said Megan Woller, Ph.D., facilitator of the Schuster Re-Grant initiative. “Not only does
the initiative provide an opportunity for Gannon’s Schuster arts programs to support our local community,
but it also allows student to learn about the grant process and the vital community arts organizations that
apply.”
Awards are selected by a committee that includes university leadership and Schuster Patron of the Arts
Scholarship recipients, providing students with firsthand experience in the grantmaking process. The
Schuster Re-Grant Initiative reflects Gannon University’s longstanding commitment to community
engagement and arts education.
