In a city where creativity and community often intersect, the Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School (CASA) continues to stand as a powerful example of what’s possible when education and the arts meet. This spring, that intersection takes center stage once again with the return of one of the region’s most anticipated cultural fundraisers—A Taste of the Arts—alongside the debut of a meaningful new tradition: the inaugural Lois Lehrman Grass Award.
For more than two decades, CASA has provided a unique, tuition-free public charter school experience for students across Central Pennsylvania. From visual art and theatre to music, dance and creative writing, CASA offers a rigorous academic curriculum infused with daily artistic training. The result is not just strong academic outcomes, but confident, expressive young people prepared to pursue creative careers—or simply carry a lifelong appreciation for the arts into whatever path they choose.
But sustaining a school like CASA requires more than curriculum. It takes a community.
That’s where A Taste of the Arts comes in.
Each year, the event brings together local restaurants, artists, educators, and supporters for an evening that celebrates both culinary and creative excellence. Guests can expect a vibrant atmosphere filled with live performances by CASA students, interactive artistic experiences, and a sampling of some of the best food and drink the region has to offer.
More importantly, the event serves as a critical fundraiser. Proceeds directly support CASA—helping to fund everything from classroom resources and performance opportunities to student support services that ensure every young artist has the tools they need to succeed.
This year’s event carries added significance with the introduction of the Lois Lehrman Grass Award, a new annual honor recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact on CASA’s mission.
The award pays tribute to Lois Lehrman Grass, a founding force behind CASA and a tireless advocate for arts education in the region. As outlined in the award’s founding statement, she was “more than a founder and champion of CASA—she was its heartbeat,” helping guide the school from uncertain beginnings into a thriving and welcoming home for student-artists.
At a time when arts education often faces funding challenges and shifting priorities, Grass remained steadfast in her belief that creativity is not a luxury—it’s essential. She understood that students thrive when their voices are valued and their imagination is given room to grow. Her leadership and generosity helped transform CASA into a place where students are not only educated, but empowered.
Equally important was her belief in the people behind the mission. Grass recognized that institutions are sustained by those willing to show up—teachers, volunteers, board members, partners, and donors who invest their time and energy year after year. That philosophy is now embedded in the spirit of the award that bears her name.
The Lois Lehrman Grass Award will be presented annually to an individual who embodies those same values: dedication to arts-infused education, belief in young people, service to the community, and a willingness to lead with heart. It is not simply a recognition of achievement, but a celebration of impact—the kind that quietly, consistently shapes the future of an institution and the lives within it.
In many ways, the award reinforces a powerful idea: that legacy is not something left behind, but something carried forward. Each recipient becomes part of a living continuation of Grass’s vision, helping ensure that CASA remains a place where creative dreams are not just imagined, but realized.
For attendees of A Taste of the Arts, that message will be woven throughout the evening. Between performances and shared meals, there is a deeper story unfolding—one of resilience, collaboration, and the enduring importance of the arts in education.
It’s also a reminder of the role the broader Harrisburg community plays in that story.
Supporting CASA is not just about funding a school; it’s about investing in the cultural fabric of the region. Many CASA graduates go on to contribute to local arts organizations, creative industries, and community initiatives. Others carry the confidence and critical thinking skills they developed at CASA into entirely different fields. In every case, the impact ripples outward.
As CASA continues to grow and evolve, events like A Taste of the Arts—and initiatives like the Lois Lehrman Grass Award—serve as both celebration and call to action. They invite the community to reflect on what has been built, honor those who made it possible, and recommit to sustaining it for future generations.
Because at its core, CASA represents something bigger than a school. It represents a belief: that when young people are given the space to create, they also gain the power to imagine new possibilities—for themselves and for the world around them.
And in Harrisburg, that’s a vision worth tasting, celebrating, and carrying forward.
For more information about the Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA) visit https://www.casa-arts.org/
For more information about The Taste of the Arts event visit https://www.crae-arts.org/a-taste-of-the-arts
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