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Sarasota News Leader May 3, 2013 Page 61 INITIATIVE TO INCREASE STUDENT ACCESS TO EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Exciting changes are in store for EdExploreSRQ, an initiative that provides students with valuable exposure to arts, science and culture through "explorations," both in-classroom and off-campus experiences offered by 36 partner organizations, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has announced. "This exciting collaboration will leverage many of our most powerful community resources to support the efforts of our teachers and help ensure that the needs of every child are being met," explained Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance, in the news release. In a unique arrangement, the Sarasota County Schools, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, the Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida, The Community Foundation, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation have committed to sustain and broaden EdExploreSRQ for the benefit of all Sarasota County students, a news release says. The school district acted on the EdExploreSRQ Community Partnership Agreement at its April 16 meeting; the other partner boards had already adopted it, the release notes. The Community Foundation has committed $500,000 over five years for explorations. Additionally, it and The Patterson Foundation are creating an EdExploreSRQ Endowment Fund to increase awareness and funding, the release notes. The Patterson Foundation will designate up to $3 million in matching funds to go into that endowment fund, matching dollar for dollar the Community Foundation's $500,000 investment as well as providing a 2:1 match for all donations for existing and future explorations, the release adds. Florida Studio Theatre acting apprentice Anthony Rockford leads students during Youth ArtsFest 2012. Photo by Danae DeShazer