Through its COVID-19 Response Initiative, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation have awarded the CreArte
Latino Cultural Center a grant of $7,087. The grant will help fund expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and empower CreArte Latino to move forward with an ambitious schedule of activities and performances for 2022 in its new suite at 8251 15 th St. East in Sarasota.

“We are passionate about expanding our programming and partnering with other arts organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” says Sebastian Pelaez, CreArte Latino’s vice president and director of operations. “As we recover from pandemic losses, this generous grant is critical to our growth. We are beyond grateful to Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for their ongoing support of our mission, and for their consistent support in empowering collaborations between the Latino/Hispanic community and the rest of Sarasota-Manatee’s rich cultural landscape.”
CreArte Latino was founded in 2012 as a small Spanish-language theater company. In 2017, it became a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a new name and a new mission.

CreArte Latino Cultural Center is focused on establishing a cultural exchange between the Latino/Hispanic community and the population at large through arts and education. During the pandemic, CreArte Latino facilitated Spanish literature book clubs and Spanish language classes for adults via the Zoom platform. Since re-opening in its new theater space, CreArte Latino has added an online English class for Spanish speakers, produced three plays, an acting improv show, two theater workshops for children, and has hosted presentations of Latino/Hispanic music and dance. CreArte Latino has been promoting arts and literacy for children and families in various local events, and has been featured in the WEDU PBS digital docuseries, “Greater Sarasota.” For more information about CreArte Latino Cultural Center, visit www.creartelatino.org or CreArte Latino on Facebook.