Smith & Associates Real Estate Foundation has announced a three-year commitment to fund the Tampa Arts Alliance, aiding both local artists and the public with access to arts and culture in Hillsborough County. The Foundation’s funding is for operating expenses and the salary of the executive director over the three-year period.
The Tampa Arts Alliance formed in June 2021, with initial funding provided by The Gobioff Foundation and Tucker/Hall. Board members and arts advocates have also made significant contributions that helped establish the organization. Their mission is to provide a home for arts enthusiasts and to establish the Tampa Bay community as a catalyst for artistic movements in the Southeast.
“We are pleased to work closely with the Tampa Arts Alliance,” said Bob Glaser, President and CEO, Smith & Associates Real Estate. “As a long-time supporter of the arts, we know that a community thrives when it blends the best of its artistic talents with all the other attributes that the city embodies. Creative diversity and opportunities bring value to our neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life for our residents.”
The Alliance has grown exponentially, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic turmoil. During its first five months, leadership focused on building organizational infrastructure while connecting with all levels of Tampa’s art community. This included five town hall meetings around the city to listen to artists, arts leaders, and arts enthusiasts. The meetings resulted in a range of community recommendations for how the Alliance can add value to Tampa’s arts scene. The alliance is now conducting a strategic planning process around these ideas.
We shouldn’t be surprised that, even during a pandemic, there is tremendous enthusiasm in the community for helping grow the arts in Tampa. Every contribution of time, expertise and money has reaffirmed our mission to support the arts. Having long-term financial support from successful organizations like Smith & Associates shows that community confidence in our new Alliance is growing rapidly.
Tampa Arts Alliance chair Neil Gobioff
In addition to the Smith & Associates funding, the Alliance has received substantial support from the local community, including an endowment that is managed by the Community Foundation Tampa Bay. However, the real estate foundation’s three year commitment has allowed the Alliance to launch plans for several arts events and support systems to ensure the continuity and flourishing of the artist community formed within it.
Another Alliance board member, Bill Carlson, spoke of the importance of encouraging the arts amidst a rapidly changing global economy: “The arts provide a cultural texture and context to our community, but they are also an important industry and economic engine that will help define the future of our economy. As AI continues to automate white collar jobs, we will rely more and more on creativity and innovation to guide our businesses into the future. It’s our responsibility to prepare our children and grandchildren for that future.”