Florida Studio Theatre Receives Empowering Arts Grant Award From the Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Florida Studio Theatre has announced that Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has awarded the regional theatre a $65,000 Empowering Arts Grant Award, funded through the Mildred and Garrett Eelman Charitable Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. This grant will underwrite FST’s upcoming three-show Winter Cabaret Series, four-show Winter Mainstage Series, and 2025 Summer Mainstage Series. With the Empowering Arts Grant, Gulf Coast will also serve as the lead sponsor of FST’s Annual Shindig, the theatre’s annual fundraising event, scheduled for Spring 2025.

“Gulf Coast Community Foundation has been a valued partner to FST for well over 20 years that has always recognized the importance of the arts in creating a strong community,” said Rebecca Hopkins, FST’s Managing Director. “They are truly unique in their funding with support for our General Operations, core programs, and our annual Shindig. Gulf Coast has consistently responded to our organizational needs and always looks for ways to build our partnership, including their increased support to balance growth and inflation. Gulf Coast has been an anchor supporter for FST that demonstrates the value of our theatre within the community and inspires others to give. We feel confident that this partnership will continue to have a tremendous impact on our service to the community.”

For fiscal year 2024, Gulf Coast awarded Empowering Arts Grants to thirteen arts organizations in the region, including FST, recognizing the positive impact they have on the economy and community. During the 2024-2025 season, FST presented over 20 theatrical productions, weekly performances by its resident improv troupe, two New Play Festivals, the 14th 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.

“For over 50 years, FST has brought world-class theater programming to our region. FST is a source of our region’s thriving culture and economy with dynamic, top-notch performances that leave audiences at the edge of their seats. We are honored to continue our support for FST, as they offer affordable ticket prices and a wide variety of offerings from large scale musicals to improv and cutting-edge new works,” said Gulf Coast’s President | CEO Phillip Lanham.

For more information on the Empowering Arts Grant Awards contact Gulf Coast Community Foundation. For more information about FST’s mission and contribution opportunities, please contact Matthew Glover, FST’s Director of Development, at 941.366.9017 x326 or MGlover@floridastudiotheatre.org.