WBTT Receives Arts Appreciation Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe recently received an Arts Appreciation Grant of $30,000, made possible by Gulf Coast Community Foundation, celebrating 25 years, better together. The grant will support WBTT’s operations as well as the costs associated with its 2019-20 season, which will begin in January with “Caroline, or Change” and continue with “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God,” “Ruby,” and “Flyin’ West.”

Gulf Coast’s Arts Appreciation Grants offer unrestricted funding to cornerstone arts organizations, in recognition of their contributions to our region’s economy and quality of life, to further their missions. A streamlined application and reporting process enable Gulf Coast’s arts partners to keep their focus on what they do best: to present world-class performances and collections.

“We are so grateful and excited to be included again this year as a recipient of Gulf Coast’s Arts Appreciation Grants—it shows the foundation’s confidence in us as we enter our 20th season, as a thriving and important part of Sarasota’s arts community,” said WBTT Executive Director Julie Leach.

Founded in 1999, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida, Inc. is the only professional black theater company on Florida’s West Coast. Its mission is to produce professional theater that promotes and celebrates the African-American experience, to attract diverse audiences, to support and develop African-American artists, and to build the self-esteem of African-American youth. The organization will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a celebration on November 18 at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

For more about WBTT or its current season of shows, call 941-366-1505 or go to westcoastblacktheatre.org.