GrandKids is an Arts Education Program created by Mercer University in 1996 that offers rich learning opportunities for young people through exposure to professional music, dance, and theatre performances in Macon's historic Grand Opera House. The GrandKids program provides performing arts education to more than 6,000 Central Georgia students each year. Students visit The Grand several times during the academic year, experiencing a variety of professional art forms. Prior to each visit, the students view a preparatory DVD workshop. After viewing the video, students receive a GrandKids Gazette, which uses articles, puzzles and games to offer additional insight.This distinctive approach moves the arts beyond leisure entertainment to a vivid learning environment. After completing the video and the gazette, students are ready to attend the related performance at The Grand. The GrandKids program is an effort to bring professional performing arts into an educational context, building an appreciation and understanding of the value of art in our lives. The augmentation of education and entertainment provides a learning medium that many students may not otherwise encounter.