The Center For Arts & Innovation Celebrates Public Grant Achievements
On Sept. 5, The Center for Arts & Innovation celebrated its recent public grant achievements alongside esteemed bi-partisan supportive governmental partners, including State Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, State Sen. Tina Polsky, Palm Beach County Commissioner Marci Woodward, Boca Raton Deputy Major Yvette Drucker and Boca Raton Councilwoman and CRA Chair Fran Nachlas.
The event highlighted the State of Florida’s $1 million allocation to The Center, a significant milestone facilitated by Florida House Representative Mike Caruso and State Senator Gayle Harrell. Additionally, Palm Beach County recently awarded The Center nearly $1 million through a Cultural Council of Palm Beach County Cultural Capital Fund Grant, unanimously supported by the seven members of the Board of County Commissioners.
These contributions underscore a shared vision: building a revolutionary creative campus that will shape Boca Raton by merging creativity and innovation for the benefit of students, businesses, artists, organizations, entrepreneurs and the community at large for generations to come.
Andrea Virgin, chair and CEO of The Center, emphasized the significance of this funding: “Creativity is defined as the execution of an idea, which has both originality and value. Our partnerships with the City, County and State underscore the value of creativity through their support, sending a clear message of their belief that creativity drives growth, innovation and a more connected community. This backing paves the way for a fresh understanding of creativity’s transformative power — an essential yet often overlooked force shaping our world. By aligning with the forward-thinking values of our governmental partners, this project unlocks opportunities not just for artists and students, but for businesses, the economy and a new era where creativity is seen for its value in building vibrant, thriving communities.”
Following the reveal of the initial concept design in April and ongoing capital fundraising, The Center is advancing its design process with further refinement, ideation and partnership development. The City of Boca Raton is expected to approve the concept design in late September, with the schematic design phase set to start later this year.
For more information, visit thecenterforartsandinnovation.org.
Photo courtesy of The Center for Arts & Innovation
From left to right: Legislative Aide Walter Buikus, State Rep. David Silvers, The Center for Arts & Innovation Chair and CEO Andrea Virgin, Palm Beach County Commissioner Marci Woodward, State Sen. Tina Polsky, Cultural Council for PBC President and CEO Dave Lawrence, State Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, Boca Raton Councilwoman Fran Nachlas and Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Yvette Drucker.
