Dabbling in the arts, attending plays and watching concerts could become a more frequent option for children from low-income families, with a new Wharton Center program.

The Seats 4 Kids scholarship program will provide tickets to Wharton Center shows through private donations for children who can't afford them, said Bob Hoffman, spokesman for the Wharton Center.

Hoffman said the idea to begin the program emerged when Mike Brand, executive director of the Wharton Center, said art should not be limited to only those who can afford it because it's an important part of every culture.

"We came together as a staff and said, 'We need to create something that reaches out to children to take advantage of what Wharton Center offers,'" he said. "And then we reached out to some of the organizations we are currently working with, and they loved the ideas as well."

Seats 4 Kids is helping four nonprofit organizations bring underprivileged children to the performances at no cost. The organizations involved are Cristo Rey Community Center, Boys & Girls Club of Lansing, the Black Child and Family Institute and Lansing School District Title 1 Schools.

John Roy Castillo, executive director of Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N. High St. in Lansing, said he is excited about the program and commends Wharton's efforts to reach out to the community.

"I think the biggest impact is, No. 1, the kids being exposed to more culture than they would otherwise," Castillo said. "If we got one or two kids that it sparks an interest in … I think that is a success in itself."

During the summer, Cristo Rey has three programs for children, but in September they will only have one after-school program.

Castillo said because Seats 4 Kids is new, the groups is not sure the exact details of choosing children to participate.

"I would imagine what we will do is ask the kids that come here, starting in September (during) the afternoon drop-in center — ask those kids if they want to participate," he said.

Many art lovers became interested in the program because they were introduced to art at a young age, Hoffman said, adding that they hope to expand the program to more nonprofit groups in the future.

"I think the goal is to help as many people as possible," he said. "I think the goal would be to be able to increase (the program) to (include) other organizations as well and hopefully individuals can look at this and say, 'Let me give something.'"