SCF Unveils New Studio for the Performing Arts with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

May 26, 2021 – Sarasota

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) opened the doors to its new Studio for the Performing Arts at SCF Bradenton with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 26. SCF President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld joined members of the District Board of Trustees, donors, and Art, Design and Humanities faculty members in unveiling the new facility.

The newly constructed studio provides the department of fine and performing arts with enhanced performance and practice space for its thriving programs. The $7 million, 15,000-square-foot studio includes a 150-seat recital hall, choir rehearsal room, percussion rehearsal suite, music library, practice rooms, faculty offices and rooms for instrument and music storage. Before the new studio, many music classes were held in a classroom building with poor acoustics and a lack of climate-controlled instrument storage. The former building was torn down in 2019 to make way for the new construction.

The studio connects to the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center. A new gathering space, in honor of and made possible by former President Dr. Sarah Pappas as well as Dr. Probstfeld, the Madam Presidents’ Courtyard, is situated between the two buildings. SCF’s college community and the community-at-large will benefit from the studio. This space will be used by community ensembles, and additional practice rooms will allow for expanded teaching opportunities for full-time students, part-time students and lifelong learners.

“The construction of our beautiful new studio would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our community, District Board of Trustees and SCF Foundation Board of Directors,” said Dr. Probstfeld. “I am excited for our music and theatre programs and look forward to a wonderful roster of future performances.”

The SCF Foundation raised $4 million, its largest capital fundraising campaign ever. These funds were contributed through local and regional grants, alumni donors, community supporters and SCF employee giving. The college funded the remaining $3 million. The studio completion marks more than a year of construction at SCF Bradenton including a new science building, renovating existing science facilities and introducing the 26 West Center.

For more information, visit SCF.edu.