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Arts Center Receives $200,000 Bank of America "Neighborhood Excellence" Award
The Arts Center was presented with a $200,000 Neighborhood Excellence Award yesterday by Bank of America's Bernie Craig and Ray Ifert in a ceremony held at downtown St. Petersburg's Palladium Theater. Mayor Rick Baker greeted attendees and thanked Bank of America for their support of local leaders.
The Arts Center, which receives the operating fund support, in two annual $100,000 installments, was cited for its strong leadership and commitment to building stronger communities. Evelyn Craft, Executive Director, who accepted the award with Arts Center Board Chairman Richard O. Jacobs, stated "This award allows us to effectively build on our existing partnerships and create new ones with our neighbors in the Midtown and Front Porch communities".
The Arts Center, founded more than 90 years ago, is the Bay Area's premiere exhibition space for contemporary art, and offers over 700 classes a year in a variety of artistic mediums.
Currently in the midst of a $20 million capital campaign, the Arts Center recently announced a partnership with internationally acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly.
The working agreement with Chihuly includes education initiatives, a state-of-the-art glass blowing studio, and a 62,000 s.f. exhibition space for a permanent collection of Chihuly glassworks.
Other winners included Devon Grimme, Molly Hays, Thong Hoang, Keshi Wilson, and Ashley Richard in the Student Leaders category; Muhammad Abdu-Rahim, Dr. Kenneth Bryant, Sam Infanson, Arts Center Board Member Bob Devin-Jones, and Gus & Frances Stavros in the Local Heroes category; and Junior Achievement of West Central Florida, who also received a $200,000 award.
