Opening Nights at Florida State University is committed to inspiring a lifelong love of the arts by providing meaningful, accessible educational experiences for students, educators, and caregivers across the Big Bend region and beyond.
Through its comprehensive education initiative—Opening Nights in Class—the program brings world-class artists into schools and learning environments to spark creativity, foster critical thinking, and support arts-integrated learning. Whether through live performances, interactive workshops, or classroom-ready resources, Opening Nights aims to enrich academic and personal growth through the transformative power of the performing arts.
Grounded in community partnerships and educational best practices, Opening Nights’ mission is to make the arts an essential and enduring part of every student’s learning journey.
Program Highlights
Opening Nights in Class
Arts education is central to Opening Nights’ mission. With support from sponsors, we offer enriching programs—from master classes to performances—that give students hands-on experiences with professional artists on and off FSU’s campus.
Resources for Educators & Caregivers
Opening Nights and the Education Committee collaborate with artists to create materials that help students engage with performances in the classroom before and after events.
Arts Advocate Award
The Opening Nights Arts Advocate Award honors exceptional educators who demonstrate outstanding dedication to enriching student lives through the arts.
Education Committee
The Opening Nights Education Committee supports the creation of high-impact programming and provides feedback on initiatives that engage students and support educators.