Gocio Elementary School has been awarded a $15,000 Classroom Resource Grant from the American Theatre Wing to enhance the dance space of its arts program. The ATW, best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards, is funding the grant as part of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative. The grant, one of only seven nationwide, will allow the Gocio Arts Program to improve its classroom dance floor. Many years ago, the classroom was outfitted with spongy mats glued to the concrete below. The mats are worn and need to be removed, but their removal would leave the students dancing on hard concrete. The school’s budget will not support new dance flooring, which is critical to help students safely improve their dance skills and meet state arts standards. The prestigious award is in part the result of efforts by the Sarasota County School District, in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Any Given Child initiative, to ensure access to a quality arts education for every child.

Gocio Elementary