Florida Studio Theatre Receives Arts Appreciation Grant From Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Florida Studio Theatre has announced that Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has awarded the regional theatre a $55,000 Arts Appreciation Grant, underwriting FST's current three-show Winter Cabaret Series, upcoming four-show Winter Mainstage Series, and 2024 Summer Mainstage Series. With this grant, Gulf Coast will also serve as the lead sponsor of FST's 50th Anniversary Shindig, the theatre's annual fundraising event, scheduled for Monday, March 4, 2024.

“Gulf Coast Community Foundation has been a longtime supporter of our Winter Cabaret and Winter Mainstage Series, two of our core programs,” said Rebecca Hopkins, FST's Managing Director. “As our community grows and more people are living on Florida's ‘Cultural Coast' year-round, there has been an increased demand for high-quality, affordable theatre programming throughout the year. Seeing this trend, Gulf Coast Community Foundation decided this past summer to underwrite our Summer Mainstage Series for the first time. We are thrilled that Gulf Coast will continue to underwrite our Summer Mainstage Series, demonstrating that they recognize the importance of increasing accessibility to the performing arts.”

For fiscal year 2023, Gulf Coast awarded Arts Appreciation Grants to thirteen arts organizations in the region, including FST, recognizing the positive impact they have on the economy and community. During the 2022-2023 Season, FST presented over 20 theatrical productions, weekly performances by its resident improv troupe, two New Play Festivals, the 13th Annual Sarasota Improv Festival, and brought its award-winning youth playwriting program, WRITE A PLAY, to schools across the country. Funding from foundations like Gulf Coast enhances FST's ability to continue to offer these programs and produce high-quality, contemporary theatre.

”We are honored to support Florida Studio Theatre as they are committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to as many people as possible, aligning with Gulf Coast Community Foundation's vision of thriving communities with opportunities for all. Floria Studio Theatre's professional performances and incredible arts education programs are top notch, and we are very fortunate to have them right here in our community,” said Gulf Coast Community Foundation's President | CEO Phillip Lanham.

For more information on this Arts Appreciation Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, please contact Lydia Baxter, FST's Public Relations Manager, at 941.366.9017 x338 or at LBaxter@floridastudiotheatre.org.