DADE CITY – The Heritage Arts Center Association has received a $4,000 gift from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation.
The money will be used to reward four Pasco County high school seniors with $1,000 scholarships. Two students will receive the Nereim Fine Arts Award. Two others will receive the Pasco Heritage Scholarship Award.
The Heritage Arts Center Association works to benefit the visual and performing arts in the area.
Several years ago, the association made a commitment to increase its two scholarship awards in both visual and performing arts for young people. Members wanted to know that their awards would significantly help talented young people further the development of their gifts beyond high school, with a career in mind.
The association produces a Spotlight On Talent competition that attracts more than 200 students who attend schools from all over Pasco County. The competition offers these students opportunities to prepare and perform art pieces on stage in front of professional judges and a large community audience.
Despite being a worthwhile experience for students, the Spotlight On Talent costs money to produce.
The production involves renting a large theater for two days, paying 15 professional judges to evaluate and give feedback to the students, and offering awards to younger competitors in their age categories.
For the last few years, even with local sponsors, the organization has not been able to meet production costs. The organization slightly increased application fees and ticket prices to adjust. Still, leadership was worried about the future of continuing to produce the contest and giving the scholarships.
“We are so very excited that because of this generous grant, our sponsor and fee income will be able to pay for the production costs,” said Barbara Friedman, vice-president of performing arts of the Heritage Arts Center Association.
Suncoast Credit Union founded the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children in the community.
Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, the credit union donates two cents to the foundation to fund local initiatives. The foundation has raised and donated over $45 million since 1990.
“At Suncoast Credit Union, we believe in the transformative power of creativity and the arts to shape the leaders of tomorrow,” said Bob Hyde, vice president of community impact at Suncoast Credit Union. “By supporting the Heritage Arts Center Association and investing in the future of Pasco County’s youth, we are fostering an environment where creativity can thrive.”
