Art at the Heart

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens provides award-winning art and music programs for people of all ages, to the tune of more than 100 different events that are announced to the public each June. And, aside from the many who come to enjoy a specific music, theater, or dance performance, thousands more guests visit Casa Romantica to glimpse the turn of the century Spanish architecture and explore the rich and diverse Mediterranean garden.

Yet, of all the many people who enjoy the many aspects of Casa Romantica, the youth-based programming remains a favorite for many of the staff and volunteers. This year a record number of students will have visited Casa Romantica on field trips, close to 2,000. When the students arrive, they are divided into groups of 20 or so with a teacher and parent in each group, volunteers then present STEAM-based curriculum in formats that engage and capture the students imagination. Tiddlywinks, anyone?

And to the 6th grade class of Our Lady of Fatima Academy who came to Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens for a docent-led tour recently and brought amazing home-baked cookies for the staff and volunteers, thank you!

These programs leave a lasting impression on those who participate. Board President Ruth DeNault (pictured here) tells an endearing story of a young lady who brought her family to visit Casa Romantica soon after her class field trip. “This is my Casa!” she told her family enthusiastically.

With the generous support of philanthropists and members alike, we are also able to provide critically acclaimed art, music, and dance eduction programs such as our annual Spring Break Arts Week, Music Festival and Academy, and Summer Dance Workshop without cost to students. We also offer $1 concert/lecture tickets to students up to age 16, so that parents can remove barriers to bring their kids to classical music or educational events. “We believe that all children deserve to pursue their dreams,” says Casa Romantica Program Director, Kylie Travis.

Becoming a member of Casa Romantica at any level, participating in paid programming events, and enjoying an exquisite fundraiser like “An Evening with Marni Raab” on March 20, makes it possible for us to continue serving the mission of Casa Romantica. We invite you to join our community!