Wharton Center’s mission is to inspire and empower community through meaningful performing arts experiences. We are constantly seeking ways to collaborate with other like-minded organizations and artists to ignite creativity, drive innovation, and provide opportunities to cultivate lasting memories in the Greater Lansing community and beyond. 

That is why Wharton Center is proud to be a founding member of the TYA Tour Development Collective, a new collective of performing arts venues and arts professionals, that awards financial support for new artistic work for families and young audiences. 

In its first season,  the TYA Tour Development Collective (TYA TDC) is an informal group of nine performing arts presenting organizations from around the United States that have come together to help individual artists and companies fund the development of new work. The goal of the Collective is to assist artists in preparing work designed for youth and family audiences to tour across the country in the 2026-2027 season. 

In the first funding cycle, 34 artists submitted applications to a competitive review process; 10 were chosen to present their plans to the Collective, and ultimately four new works were selected to receive support.  
 
These artists and companies are:

• Daniel Carlton – New York, NY 
• Joshua Holden – Brooklyn, NY 
• Honolulu Theatre for Youth – Honolulu, HI 
• Inlet Dance Theatre – Cleveland, OH 

“Being a founding member of the TYA Tour Development Collective grew out of our deep commitment to supporting artists and advancing the field. Through this new partnership, we’re able to make a greater collective impact—strengthening our shared goals and bringing performances for young audiences to life in a truly collaborative way,” shared Eric Olmscheid, Executive Director of Wharton Center for Performing Arts.  

“Bringing new stories and productions to life is incredibly powerful. By supporting new works, we’re investing in the next generation of artists, audiences, and a lifelong love of live performance.” 

“At a time when many artists and companies are struggling to find sustainable financial support, TYA Development Collective is a source of hope in the funding landscape for performances for young audiences. By working collectively, presenting venues have the opportunity for direct and significant impact. These projects are ambitious, joyful and relevant to the audiences of today,” adds Sarah Saltwick of Holden and Arts Associates. Saltwick is a member of the TYA steering team along with Sarah McCarthy (Dandelion Artists), Daniel Hahn (Playhouse Square), and Sara Morgulis (TYA/USA).  

The Collective launched in the Fall of 2024, with commissioning funds, totaling $74,000, awarded in late April 2025. The works funded through the Fall 2004 funding cycle will be created in the 2025-26 season and begin their tours in 2026.  
2025 Collective membership currently includes: 

• Alden Theatre – McLean, VA 
• Dayton Live – Dayton, OH 
• Des Moines Performing Arts – Des Moines, IA 
• Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center – Auburn, AL 
• Midwest Trust Center, Johnson County Community College – Overland Park, KS 
• Playhouse Square – Cleveland, OH 
• Walton Arts Center – Fayetteville, AR 
• Wharton Center for Performing Arts – East Lansing, MI 
• Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University – Bethlehem, PA 

The second funding cycle of the TYA Tour Development Collective will launch in the Fall of 2025.