Alliance for the Arts

From Sarasota to Marco Island and Venice and Sanibel to Arcadia and LaBelle, Southwest Florida is home to more than a dozen art centers. Most host visual art exhibitions showcasing member, regional and nationally renowned artists that change every month. In August, there are 29 shows at these venues, underscoring the importance of the arts in our part of the country.

Ramon Chirinos is considered one of the most influential Latin American masters of the 20th century. He continues to exercise a big influence on contemporary artists, collectors and investors worldwide. Alliance for the Arts Gallery and Artists Relations Manager Julio Gonzalez Batista says Chirinos also has a Southwest Florida connection.

The Alliance for the Arts will close the month of September for renovations that will include upgrades focused on safety, efficiency and enhancing the visitor experience.

A town hall meeting at the Alliance for the Arts on Saturday drew a capacity crowd to the Foulds Theatre to discuss the future of the arts. Gov. DeSantis’ decision to deny arts and cultural grants to the vast majority of qualifying arts organizations in the state sparked the discussion.

This October, the Alliance for the Arts will transform the Foulds Theatre into a terrifying maze of disorienting corridors filled with twisted clowns and theatrical carnage. To bring this terrifying vision to life, the Alliance is holding open auditions for a variety of roles, including performers for a horror-filled one-act play, iconic villain cosplay appearances, and a charismatic emcee to guide guests through nightly "frightivities" that will take place over 13 consecutive nights.

The future of the arts locally and throughout Southwest Florida is front and center in the aftermath of Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to deny arts and cultural grants to the vast majority of qualifying arts organizations in the state of Florida. So on July 19, the Alliance for the Arts will host a town hall to discuss this topic.

The Alliance Youth Theatre is producing “In the Heights” this weekend. To a person, the cast was familiar with Lin-Manuel Miranda before being cast in the show because of “Hamilton.” But they had no idea just how good he is until they began rehearsing “In the Heights.” Now, they’re now lifelong admirers.

Naples-based artist Muffy Clark Gill has a solo exhibition of works at the Alliance for the Arts titled, “Portraits of Perception.” Works in the exhibit highlight the artist’s work in the ancient Indonesian batik process and are inspired by her passion for travel.

This week, one show opens, six close, three continue their runs and there are five limited engagements at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters.

The Alliance for the Arts is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Another milestone for the community-based arts nonprofit came in March with the selection of Neil Volz as its new executive director. Volz brings more than a quarter century of experience as an advocate, organizer, and nonprofit leader to the role. We talk with Volz about his background and the challenges and opportunities he will lead the organization through going forward.