The Sarasota Ballet is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a $65,000 Arts Appreciation Grant by Gulf Coast Community Foundation for the 2023-2024 Season. The Sarasota Ballet is incredibly grateful to be amongst the organizations to receive this award. This Season, the Arts Appreciation Grant will provide support for many of The Sarasota Ballet’s productions, as well as events and education performances for the year. Funds from the Arts Appreciation Grant most recently supported The Sarasota Ballet School’s collaboration with the Venice Performing Arts Center for the production of The Nutcracker. The performances included over 100 dancers, ages 4-74, and featured orchestral accompaniment by the Venice Symphony. Later this Season, Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s generous grant will support The Sarasota Ballet’s Annual Gala. This year’s theme London Calling celebrates the Company’s first international tour to London in June 2024. Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Arts Appreciation Grant will also support the newest patron program for the Company, Relevé. Through Relevé, The Sarasota Ballet aims to make performance attendance and interaction more accessible to younger audiences. “Gulf Coast Community Foundation plays such an important role in strengthening the arts in Sarasota County and beyond”, explains Joseph Volpe, Executive Director of The Sarasota Ballet. “We are honored to be one of the recipients of the esteemed Arts Appreciation Grants. These funds will enable us to expand our reach in the greater Sarasota community, nurture emerging talent, and uphold our commitment to artistic excellence.”