The Exchange Will Award $404,000 to Local Arts Groups and Students at Its Annual Grants Celebration

The Exchange will award $404,000 to 25 regionally based arts and cultural organizations and 10 high school and college students. Additionally, seven organizations are recipients of the recent Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education grant. The awards will be given at an invitation-only event at The Exchange on Thursday, June 13, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Karen Koblenz, the executive director and CEO of The Exchange, explains that the Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants Program, established last year, aims to “encourage local art organizations and educators to collaborate in designing and developing creatively innovative projects in the visual and performing arts for K-12 students.” These grants can fund curriculum-based residencies, workshops, arts-related day trips, assemblies/performances, and out-of-school experiences. Elizabeth (“Liz”) Lindsay, who co-founded The Exchange and was a significant figure in Sarasota's art community, passed away in 2022.

Koblenz highlights that the organizational grants support specific projects and outreach programs, such as performances, exhibitions, educational initiatives, and special series. She notes that The Exchange’s board considers the long-term stability and financial health of the organizations, the program’s public appeal, and the anticipated impact on the community when making grant decisions. Individual scholarships are awarded based on factors like grade point averages, the individual's artistic goals and achievements, and letters of recommendation. 

"We're proud to be a key player in our region's vibrant arts and cultural scene," says Koblenz. "These funds are transformative for our grantees, who frequently acknowledge The Exchange's support during crucial points in their success."

Koblenz emphasizes The Exchange's keen interest in programs that foster a lively and engaged community. “The cultural arts industry is crucial to our region’s economic vitality and attracts tourism. We take pride in supporting our local creative talents.” She mentions that the funds for these grants and scholarships are generated entirely from the organization’s 15,000-square-foot consignment boutique in downtown Sarasota. Since 1962, The Exchange has distributed $10 million in grants to local non-profits and to high school and college students pursuing arts education.

The grant recipients for the 2024-2025 fiscal year are: 

Organizational Grants:

Art Center Sarasota

Artists Series Concerts

Asolo Repertory Theatre

Azara Ballet

Chalk Festival

Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota

Choral Artists of Sarasota

Circus Arts Conservancy

CreArte Latino

Diversity: Voices of Sarasota

Florida Studio Theatre

The Hermitage

Key Chorale

La Musica di Asolo

Lifeline Productions

Sarasota Cuban Ballet

Ringling College

Sarasota Ballet

Sarasota Jewish Theatre Exc.

Sarasota Opera

Sarasota Orchestra

Sarasota Pops Orchestra

Sarasota Rising

The Art League of Manatee

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants:

Chalk Festival

Florida Studio Theatre

The Hermitage

Key Chorale

Ringling College

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation

West Coast Black Theater

The scholarship recipients for the 2024-2025 fiscal year are:

High School: Nanette Cooke and Lily Edwards.

College: Graham Boggess, Chiaralis Brown, Vivianna Coppa, Abigail Holdway, Colin Leonard, Cecilia Marty, Danae Tran, and Madisyn Wandall.

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