Easterseals Receives Arts Funding

Easterseals Southwest Florida has been awarded a significant capital grant from The Eluned and Edward Russell Foundation. The Russell Foundation has been a long-time supporter of Easterseals and has made a significant impact on the lives of persons served at Easterseals Happiness House. Recently the Foundation awarded $8,000 to Easterseals for a beautiful, new art studio to serve Easterseals many studio artists. That support was visible to the community in the third annual Art for a Purpose show held at the State of the Arts Gallery in downtown Sarasota. Proceeds from the show went to supporting the artists and providing funding for supplies to continue their creativity.

Easterseals many creative projects have been underwritten once again by a $25,000 grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Arts in Education Program which has helped fund studio arts programming, drama lessons, music and dance classes for the children and adults of Easterseals. The funds have fostered collaborative drama programming between Easterseals adult clients and the Asolo’s

Kaleidoscope Program. The mission of the Kaleidoscope program is to use the performing arts to celebrate the unique voice and creative expression of people with special needs within our community. This funding also supports the collaboration between Easterseals’ children’s programing and the Write a Play Program given by Florida Studio Theater. WRITE A PLAY is a year-round comprehensive arts integration program with a unique blend of professional plays, exciting theatre experiences, and in-class workshops. Through participatory learning with a special emphasis on literacy, this program has developed an impressive record of success, reaching over 47,000 students annually. This support not only creates beautiful art but helps foster a disability friendly community.

For 74 years, Easterseals Happiness House has provided exceptional human service programs leading to increased independence. The organization and its staff are leading the way for those with disabilities through comprehensive programs including early intervention, therapeutic, early childhood, adult, behavioral, family support and educational services. Easterseals Happiness House provides resources and support to over 1250 children and adults with disabilities, their families, and the communities of the Gulf Coast Region.