Alliance for the Arts

Tampa-based blues, roots rock and sacred steel musician Damon Fowler performs Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Alliance for the Arts’ “Art Is Essential” bash. Ahead of the concert, we’ll talk with Fowler about his musical journey and hear songs from his latest album “Barnyard Smile.”

In 2019, Stephanie Davis directed the Evan Linder-Andrew Hobgood satire “5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche” for Theatre Conspiracy. She returns to the Alliance for the Arts to direct the show again this year because it’s such a good time for the audiences who see it.

To help the Alliance replace the funding lost when Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed all arts and cultural grants, local playwright and actor Frank Blocker is bringing his Fringe Fort Myers 2024 Best-in-Venue performance back to the Alliance for one night only benefit on August 30.

In an unexpected and unprecedented move, Governor Ron DeSantis, in June, vetoed $32 million dollars in state grants for more than 600 arts and culture organizations throughout Florida. We hear an encore of our conversation with Molly Rowan-Deckart from the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, Elysia Dawn with United Arts Collier, and arts reporter Tom Hall about how local arts and culture organizations are coping with the lost funds and about the economic impact of the region’s arts and culture industry.

In an unexpected and unprecedented move, last month, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million dollars in state grants for more than 600 arts and culture organizations throughout Florida. We hear from Molly Rowan-Deckart with the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, Elysia Dawn with United Arts Collier, and arts reporter Tom Hall about how local arts and culture organizations are coping with the lost funds and about the economic impact of the region’s arts and culture industry.

The Americans for the Arts’ AEP6 (Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6) finds that Lee County’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generated more than $135 million in economic activity in 2022 and supported more than 2,500 full time jobs. We explore results of the study, and the case they make for more public support for the arts, in a conversation with Alliance for the Arts Executive Director Molly Rowan-Deckart, Florida Repertory Theatre Producing Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen, and local arts reporter and advocate Tom Hall.

Renowned for his visionary approach to artmaking, local artist David Hatchett possessed a keen ability to invent new methods of artistic expression. Notwithstanding his recent passing, Hatchett's legacy continues to grow. On June 7th, family, friends and ardent admirers will gather in the Foulds Theatre Gallery at the Alliance for the Arts for the first exhibition of David's work since his death in March.

Sometimes there's more drama backstage at a burlesque show than on the boards. That's why Carousel of Burlesque creators Pixel Winters and Freckles Galore are taking audiences "behind the curtain" at this year's Fringe Fort Myers.

The Southwest Florida-based improv comedy team “Oops, We’re a Troupe,” will present a fully improvised long-form musical courtroom drama titled, “Disorder in the Court,” on May 11 at the Alliance for the Arts. Troupe members Julian and Lucy Sundby talk about the troupe, the performance, and mastering the art of improv comedy.

The Americans for the Arts’ AEP6 (Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6) finds that Lee County’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generated more than $135 million in economic activity in 2022 and supported more than 2,500 full time jobs. We listen back to our conversation from earlier this year exploring results of the study, and the case they make for more public support for the arts, in a conversation with Alliance for the Arts Executive Director Molly Rowan-Deckart, Florida Repertory Theatre Producing Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen, and local arts reporter and advocate Tom Hall.