Arts and culture are a hallmark of the Manatee-Sarasota region. Our residents can view, hear and participate in the fine and performing arts at venues and events across our region throughout the year. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, is proud to contribute to the culture of our region with the area’s only higher education fine and performing arts program. Our students provide performances on campus throughout the fall and spring terms and participate in community groups throughout our region.

The fourth priority of SCF’s 2015-2020 Boldly Engaging Strategic Plan is to “establish SCF’s central role in the educational, cultural and workforce development of our service region.” To be central to the cultural development of our area, we provide opportunities for students to perform and events that allow the community to come together to appreciate music, theater and art. This is one of benefits that a college provides its service area—the space and time to gather safely and appreciate the talents of community members. The recently renovated SCF Neel Performing Arts Center provides one of the largest venues in our region and the Howard Studio Theater creates an intimate setting for theater productions.

The fine and performing arts programs at SCF provide an additional benefit—student engagement. We know that students who are involved in campus activities are more likely to attend classes and graduate. Performing and improving their talents creates a strong connection to the College and motivates them to succeed in their chosen academic pathway. More than 125 students are participating in the music programs on our Bradenton Campus this fall. Graduates from SCF lead the music programs at 12 area schools, deepening the connection between College and community.

SCF’s music, theater and art programs also create an important tie to the strong philanthropic community that loves to support the arts in our region. Our wonderful donors support the students who perform in the Presidential String Quartet and Jazz Quintet and as choir vocal section leaders via scholarship and mentorship through the SCF Music Excellence Sponsorship Program. Their support means these students can attend SCF, pursue their degree, and perform around the community as ambassadors for our College. This program has covered the tuition and expenses of 29 students in its three years.

Creating connections between our College’s performers and our donors and community members requires the right facilities to nurture the talent. The SCF Foundation has raised about half of the $3.5 million required to build the Studio for the Performing Arts, an extension of the Neel Performing Arts Center that will provide appropriate practice, instructional and recital space for SCF’s programs. If you would like more information about this project please go to www.scf-foundation.org.

From October to April, our students and faculty will be providing high-quality, low-cost entertainment through nine music ensembles and other entertainment groups. We are proud to host the Bradenton Symphony Orchestra, conducted by SCF’s Dr. Robyn Bell, in the Neel, including its first performance on Oct. 11. For those who love musical theater, our fall musical is Oklahoma! Oct. 26-28. A full listing of all performances can be found at www.scf.edu/campuslife/NeelPerformingArtsCenter.

Performing arts have the power to bring people together. We take pride in our ability to add to the rich culture of Manatee and Sarasota Counties. This is just one of the many ways we are Boldly Engaging our community at SCF. I invite you to join us this fall for some of the best performances in the region and to enjoy the talents of our amazing SCF students.

Dr. Carol Probstfeld is president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.