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The Center for Arts & Innovation Celebrates Recent Public Grant Achievements Alongside Government Partners, Signaling Continued Commitment to the Transformative Project With a recent $1 million special project allocation from the State of Florida, the public sector’s profound show of support solidifies The Center’s ability to positively impact the region through the convergence of creativity and innovation Images from the event and project renderings can be found here. Boca Raton, FL – September 11, 2024 – On September 5, The Center for Arts & Innovation celebrated its recent public grant achievements alongside esteemed bi-partisan supportive governmental partners at the City, County and State levels including State Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman; State Senator Tina Polsky; State Representative David Silvers; Legislative Aide Walter Buikus (representing State Representative and Sponsor Mike Caruso); Palm Beach County Commissioner Marci Woodward (District 5); Dave Lawrence, President and CEO of the Cultural Council; Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Yvette Drucker; and Boca Raton Councilwoman and CRA Chair Fran Nachlas. The event honored the State of Florida’s $1 million allocation to The Center, a pivotal step led by Florida House Representative Mike Caruso and State Senator Gayle Harrell. Additionally, Palm Beach County recently awarded The Center nearly $1 million through a Cultural Council of Palm Beach County Cultural Capital Fund Grant, unanimously supported by the 7 members of the Board of County Commissioners. These public grants affirm the value of this transformative project, designed by the world-renowned Renzo Piano Building Workshop. With these recent contributions, The Center’s support from State, County and State governmental partners underscores a shared vision: building a revolutionary creative campus that will shape Boca Raton and the region for the next 100 years. These public commitments also demonstrate the belief in the vital role The Center will play in merging creativity and innovation for the benefit of Florida’s students, businesses, artists, organizations, entrepreneurs, and the community at large for generations to come. Andrea Virgin, Chair and CEO of The Center, emphasized the significance of this funding, stating, "Creativity is defined as ‘the execution of an idea, which has both originality and value.’ Our partnerships with the City, County, and State underscore the 'value' of creativity through their support, sending a clear message of their belief that creativity drives growth, innovation, and a more connected community. This backing paves the way for a fresh understanding of creativity’s transformative power—an essential yet often overlooked force shaping our world. By aligning with the forward-thinking values of our governmental partners, this project unlocks opportunities not just for artists and students, but for businesses, the economy, and a new era where creativity is seen for its value in building vibrant, thriving communities." “I am deeply committed to enhancing Palm Beach County through thoughtful development of the arts that will have a boundless positive impact on all of our residents, and The Center for Arts & Innovation will accomplish just that. Of course many thanks to Governor DeSantis for his unwavering support of this great project in beautiful Boca Raton,” said State Representative Mike Caruso (R). “This project represents the convergence of two major sectors – creativity and innovation – that are integral to the vitality of our state in a way that hasn’t been brought together before. I am excited to watch The Center for Arts & Innovation come to life,” said Senator Gayle Harrell (R). “As The Center inches closer to breaking ground on construction, I’m excited to see the community and stakeholders of all stripes coming together to maximize the impact of this project. I look forward to continuing to support these efforts through the project’s completion,” said Senator Tina Scott Polsky (D). “The dedication and passion from all who are working to bring The Center to life are commendable – they are bringing forth a project that will further shape, enhance and define the future of creativity and community in South Florida,” said State Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R). "The Center for Arts & Innovation will usher in a new era for Boca Raton, positioning South Palm Beach County as a leader in the powerful role creativity can have in the world,” said State Representative David Silvers (D). “As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, I was honored to help solidify support for the Center in the Legislature. By investing in this project, we are not only enriching our culture but also laying the groundwork for a thriving economy and our future generations." “We are thrilled to see the growing enthusiasm for The Center’s vision first-hand,” said James and Marta Batmasian, Capital Donors of the project. “It has been a pleasure to witness the seed of an idea begin to take form and become deeply involved in a transformative project that aims to build a brighter future for Boca Raton and all of South Florida. This new model has the potential to have an impact far beyond South Florida and more public-private partnership opportunities like this one will be a crucial driver for private sector support.” Situated strategically at the northern edge of Mizner Park, adjacent to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, The Center aims to seamlessly integrate creativity and innovation across four key societal pillars: arts, education, business, and community. Following the reveal of the initial concept design in April and in parallel to capital fundraising, the project is currently continuing its design process of further refinement, ideation, partnership generation and maturation of its architectural and programmatic expression. Approval of the concept design is expected by the City of Boca Raton in late September with subsequent commencement of schematic design later this Winter. As The Center embarks on its next significant phase of development, it also extends its deepest gratitude to all of its capital donors who have supported its mission through their transformative generosity including, but not limited to, the James & Marta Batmasian Family Foundation; Elizabeth H. Dudley; the Kent Jordan Family; the Schmidt Family Foundation; The Edith & Martin Stein Family Foundation; and Andrea Virgin (in remembrance of Thomas J. Virgin). ### About The Center for Arts & Innovation Conceptually announced in 2018, The Center for Arts and Innovation is a Florida non-profit organization with a mission to build and operate an innovative, vital, and flexible cultural campus that transcends function to enable creativity with no boundaries. The Center can curate experiences either indoors or out, public or private, free or ticketed, for the young or old, student or professional, entrepreneur or established business, from all walks of life, either day or night, weekday or weekend, and all year long – The Center is truly a center for all. Media contact: brcai@berlinrosen.com
The Center for Arts & Innovation Celebrates Recent Public Grant Achievements Alongside Government Partners, Signaling Continued Commitment to the Transformative Project
With a recent $1 million special project allocation from the State of Florida, the public sector’s profound show of support solidifies The Center’s ability to positively impact the region through the convergence of creativity and innovation
Images from the event and project renderings can be found here.
Boca Raton, FL – September 11, 2024 – On September 5, The Center for Arts & Innovation celebrated its recent public grant achievements alongside esteemed bi-partisan supportive governmental partners at the City, County and State levels including State Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman; State Senator Tina Polsky; State Representative David Silvers; Legislative Aide Walter Buikus (representing State Representative and Sponsor Mike Caruso); Palm Beach County Commissioner Marci Woodward (District 5); Dave Lawrence, President and CEO of the Cultural Council; Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Yvette Drucker; and Boca Raton Councilwoman and CRA Chair Fran Nachlas.
The event honored the State of Florida’s $1 million allocation to The Center, a pivotal step led by Florida House Representative Mike Caruso and State Senator Gayle Harrell. Additionally, Palm Beach County recently awarded The Center nearly $1 million through a Cultural Council of Palm Beach County Cultural Capital Fund Grant, unanimously supported by the 7 members of the Board of County Commissioners. These public grants affirm the value of this transformative project, designed by the world-renowned Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
With these recent contributions, The Center’s support from State, County and State governmental partners underscores a shared vision: building a revolutionary creative campus that will shape Boca Raton and the region for the next 100 years. These public commitments also demonstrate the belief in the vital role The Center will play in merging creativity and innovation for the benefit of Florida’s students, businesses, artists, organizations, entrepreneurs, and the community at large for generations to come.
Andrea Virgin, Chair and CEO of The Center, emphasized the significance of this funding, stating, "Creativity is defined as ‘the execution of an idea, which has both originality and value.’ Our partnerships with the City, County, and State underscore the 'value' of creativity through their support, sending a clear message of their belief that creativity drives growth, innovation, and a more connected community. This backing paves the way for a fresh understanding of creativity’s transformative power—an essential yet often overlooked force shaping our world. By aligning with the forward-thinking values of our governmental partners, this project unlocks opportunities not just for artists and students, but for businesses, the economy, and a new era where creativity is seen for its value in building vibrant, thriving communities."
“I am deeply committed to enhancing Palm Beach County through thoughtful development of the arts that will have a boundless positive impact on all of our residents, and The Center for Arts & Innovation will accomplish just that. Of course many thanks to Governor DeSantis for his unwavering support of this great project in beautiful Boca Raton,” said State Representative Mike Caruso (R).
“This project represents the convergence of two major sectors – creativity and innovation – that are integral to the vitality of our state in a way that hasn’t been brought together before. I am excited to watch The Center for Arts & Innovation come to life,” said Senator Gayle Harrell (R).
“As The Center inches closer to breaking ground on construction, I’m excited to see the community and stakeholders of all stripes coming together to maximize the impact of this project. I look forward to continuing to support these efforts through the project’s completion,” said Senator Tina Scott Polsky (D).
“The dedication and passion from all who are working to bring The Center to life are commendable – they are bringing forth a project that will further shape, enhance and define the future of creativity and community in South Florida,” said State Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R).
"The Center for Arts & Innovation will usher in a new era for Boca Raton, positioning South Palm Beach County as a leader in the powerful role creativity can have in the world,” said State Representative David Silvers (D). “As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, I was honored to help solidify support for the Center in the Legislature. By investing in this project, we are not only enriching our culture but also laying the groundwork for a thriving economy and our future generations."
“We are thrilled to see the growing enthusiasm for The Center’s vision first-hand,” said James and Marta Batmasian, Capital Donors of the project. “It has been a pleasure to witness the seed of an idea begin to take form and become deeply involved in a transformative project that aims to build a brighter future for Boca Raton and all of South Florida. This new model has the potential to have an impact far beyond South Florida and more public-private partnership opportunities like this one will be a crucial driver for private sector support.”
Situated strategically at the northern edge of Mizner Park, adjacent to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, The Center aims to seamlessly integrate creativity and innovation across four key societal pillars: arts, education, business, and community. Following the reveal of the initial concept design in April and in parallel to capital fundraising, the project is currently continuing its design process of further refinement, ideation, partnership generation and maturation of its architectural and programmatic expression. Approval of the concept design is expected by the City of Boca Raton in late September with subsequent commencement of schematic design later this Winter.
As The Center embarks on its next significant phase of development, it also extends its deepest gratitude to all of its capital donors who have supported its mission through their transformative generosity including, but not limited to, the James & Marta Batmasian Family Foundation; Elizabeth H. Dudley; the Kent Jordan Family; the Schmidt Family Foundation; The Edith & Martin Stein Family Foundation; and Andrea Virgin (in remembrance of Thomas J. Virgin).
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About The Center for Arts & Innovation
Conceptually announced in 2018, The Center for Arts and Innovation is a Florida non-profit organization with a mission to build and operate an innovative, vital, and flexible cultural campus that transcends function to enable creativity with no boundaries. The Center can curate experiences either indoors or out, public or private, free or ticketed, for the young or old, student or professional, entrepreneur or established business, from all walks of life, either day or night, weekday or weekend, and all year long – The Center is truly a center for all.
Media contact:
brcai@berlinrosen.com