Lee County Alliance for the Arts

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 $115.5 billion budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis includes more than $18 million for 184 arts organizations. Most Southwest Florida arts and culture organizations remain on the outside looking in.

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 July, there are 24 shows at these venues, underscoring the importance of the arts in our part of the country.

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.

The Alliance for the Arts has appointed Michael Hebler as its new Events and Programming Director. One of his duties includes continuing the theater program once run by Theatre Conspiracy's Bill Taylor.

Fringe returns to Fort Myers next month. As in the past, this year’s Fringe Fort Myers will feature nine shows. But this year, shows will only be performed in the Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts and the Off Broadway Palm at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre.

Four shows open, six productions close and nine others continue their runs this week in Southwest Florida theaters.

The Alliance The Alliance for the Arts announced Monday that Molly Rowan-Deckart will step down from her role as Executive Director effective December 15, to assume the role of CEO of Marquee Arts in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In addition to shows that afford opportunities for actors of color and discourse on the Black experience in America, under Bill Taylor’s tutelage, Theatre Conspiracy has pioneered efforts to produce plays written by female playwrights and that provide strong female characters. Going forward, it will be embracing programming derived from fringe festivals.

The Alliance for the Arts in Lee County serves as a kind of regional hub for arts and culture in Southwest Florida. The Alliance’s 10-acre campus hosts…