A statement from Venice Theatre
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
Venice Theatre press release
(Venice, FL) Venice Theatre, especially its main building, suffered devastating damage during Hurricane Ian. Since then, Venice Theatre has worked tirelessly to restore and renovate—to code—its iconic facility, with an annual economic impact of $50 million in the heart of Sarasota County. VT has also maintained most of its programming, albeit in different locations and with greatly reduced capacity and income. The restoration has moved forward steadily, with anticipated funding and completed plans to re-open by late 2025.
However, much has changed since mid-June. First, $6 million from the Office of Housing and Urban Development was denied to Venice Theatre, the largest community theatre in the State of Florida, and second largest in the nation. Venice Theatre had anticipated this funding for more than a year since the Resilient SRQ Hurricane Relief Plan was introduced. Then, promised funding from VT’s commercial lender never materialized. And last, the gubernatorial veto of arts funding from the state—funding used responsibly for more than 25 years—came as another shock. These losses will push back the anticipated date of saving the 75-year-old theatre.
With a firm $25 million campaign goal, of which nearly 40% has been raised, the remaining funds must be secured to completely restore the Jervey Theatre. Venice Theatre has already completed $5.9 million in repairs. The need is urgent. Steel beams must be raised, the roof installed, and the interior finished. Venice Theatre needs the community’s support to complete this center of arts and education.
Venice Theatre is opening its 75th Diamond Season in just a few days. Give to the Save Venice Theatre Fund. Stand with the theatre when it hosts a campus-wide Grand Opening and celebrate Venice Theatre’s next 75 years.
To donate and for more information, please visit https://venicetheatre.org/donate/.