Sarasota Opera Receives $60,000 Arts Appreciation Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Sarasota Opera has received a $60,000 Arts Appreciation Grant made possible through the Wiliam S. and Jean W. Scott Endowed Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Aligning with their mission to find meaningful ways to invest in the arts, Gulf Coast Community Foundation allows grant award winners flexibility with their funding in order to pursue their own artistic missions. Gulf Coast Community Foundation will continue its longstanding support of Sarasota Opera by underwriting the 2023-24 season and will be recognized as 2024 Winter Opera Festival Sponsor. They are also a sponsor of the popular Curtain Raiser Dinner, and Sarasota Opera’s annual gala on February 3.
 
“Gulf Coast Community Foundation has been one of the most generous and longtime supporters of Sarasota Opera. They have always recognized the importance of our arts and cultural sector and we are grateful for this generous support,” said Richard Russell, the company’s General Director.
 
“For decades, Sarasota Opera has presented breathtaking, professional musical experiences and important educational programs for youth in our region. We are honored to support Sarasota Opera, as their artistic mission aligns with our vision to support thriving communities with opportunities for all,” said Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s President | CEO Phillip Lanham.
 

About Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Headquartered in Venice, Fla. and with a second office in downtown Sarasota, Fla., Gulf Coast Community Foundation has transformed the region through bold and proactive philanthropy for over 25 years. Serving the needs of the region as a partner in philanthropy and leader in community initiatives, Gulf Coast has surpassed granting $510 million in the areas of: health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Gulf Coast was named one of the “Best Nonprofits To Work For” nationally by The NonProfit Times in 2010, 2011, 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023. To learn more visit GulfCoastCF.org and follow us on Facebook at @GulfCoastCommFnd.   
 

ABOUT SARASOTA OPERA

Sarasota Opera is entering its 65th Season of bringing world-class opera to Florida’s Gulf Coast. The company was launched in 1960 in the historic 320-seat Asolo Theater on the grounds of Sarasota’s Ringling Museum of Art. In 1984 the company moved into the former A.B. Edwards Theater—now the Sarasota Opera House. Since then, the company has gained an international reputation as one of the leading regional opera companies in the U.S. through initiatives such as the Masterworks Revival Series and the Verdi Cycle. The company’s Sarasota Youth Opera is the most comprehensive Youth Program in the U.S. The Sarasota Opera House, which underwent a $20 million renovation and rehabilitation in 2007, has been called “one of America’s finest venues for opera” by Musical America. Since 1983, the company has been under the artistic leadership of Victor DeRenzi and administrative leadership of General Director Richard Russell since 2012.
Sarasota Opera is sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. Programs are paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.