Patel Conservatory Arts enrichment partnership applications now available | Business

Attention members of our community! Would your non-profit organization – like so many others in town - to benefit by engaging in high-quality performing arts experiences?

Partners of the Patel Conservatory, such as schools, Tampa Bay area agencies and community organizations, receive individualized performing arts programming and/or tickets to shows at the Straz Center. Arts programs may include workshops, master classes or performing arts classes.

Applications for the Patel Conservatory’s 2012-2013 Community Partnership Program are now available.

The Tampa Metro YMCA Learning Center at Sulphur Springs Elementary is a current partner, and Program Director Jason C. Grooms recognizes tremendous benefits from the partnership.

“We have seen remarkable changes in the children over the last year, primarily as a result of arts enrichment exposure…after the first year, we realized that more arts programming is critical as the students responded extremely well and did want the experience to end," he said.

“A major part of the Patel Conservatory’s mission is to share the transformational power of the performing arts both here at the Straz Center and out in the community. Our partnership program allows for a wonderful blend of both," said Wendy Leigh, vice president of education at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. "We feel so fortunate to have this incredible program that allows us to reach out and work with people who normally wouldn’t have access to our wonderful arts programming and to see the profound difference it makes in their lives.”

To receive a partnership application and for more information, contact Tina James at 813-222-1002 or visit www.patelconservatory.org and click on Education Outreach. Applications must be turned in by March 16.

The application process will include a written application and in-person interview. Selection criteria include, but are not limited to, application completion, demographic requirements, geographic location and special needs.  

The Arts Education School & Community Partnerships Program is sponsored by OSI Restaurants and funded in part by Brown & Brown Insurance, The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Regions Bank, St. Petersburg Times Fund, Target, and T. Rowe Price Foundation.