Gulf Coast Community Foundation Approves $40K Arts Appreciation Grant for FST

Florida Studio Theatre is delighted to announce that Gulf Coast Community Foundation supported a $40,000 grant to FST, made possible through the Venice Endowment Fund. These funds are being used to underwrite FST's 2014/15 Winter Mainstage and Cabaret seasons as well as to co-produce two performances during the 2015 Summer Season which will be announced in the spring.

FST's Artistic Director Richard Hopkins shared his gratitude for this generous show of support. "This grant allows us to continually focus on improving the quality of our art. In addition, the foundation's assistance has helped FST to continue our mission - to make theatre accessible and affordable to as many people as possible. We truly value our relationship with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and hope to continue this partnership well into the future. "

Through the backing of support from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, FST is able to continue with every new season to produce theatre that challenges with as much gusto as it entertains. The 2014/15 Mainstage and Cabaret seasons are no exception. Filled with funky, offbeat characters, charming humor, and inspirational, honest stories, it's proving to be a season of entertaining and transformative theatre.

Having given over 15 years of support to Florida Studio Theatre, the contributions of Gulf Coast Community Foundation have played an integral role in the growth of FST, fostering theatre that speaks to a living, evolving, and dynamically changing world.

About Gulf Coast Community Foundation - Together with its donors, Gulf Coast Community Foundation transforms our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast is a public charity that was created in 1995 through the sale of the Venice Hospital. Since then, it has become the philanthropic home of more than 550 families who have established charitable funds there and has invested $167 million in grants in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org.

About Florida Studio Theatre - Known as Sarasota's Contemporary Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre was founded in 1973 by Jon Spelman. Starting out as a small touring company, FST traveled to places such as migrant camps and prisons. The company then acquired the former Woman's Club building, becoming the first permanent venue. Shortly after Richard Hopkins arrived, the building was purchased and renamed The Keating Theatre. In the years that followed, Florida Studio Theatre established itself as a major force in American Theatre, presenting contemporary theatre in its five theatre venues: the Keating Theatre, the Gompertz Theatre, the Parisian style Goldstein Cabaret and John C. Court Cabaret, and Bowne's Lab Theatre.

Even with its growth, Florida Studio Theatre remains firmly committed to making the arts accessible and affordable to a broad-based audience. As FST grows and expands, it continues to provide audiences with challenging, contemporary drama and innovative programs.