- October 14, 2024
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Florida Studio Theatre has received a challenge gift of $4 million from Ed and Susan Maier to provide funding to build the FST Arts Plaza, a mixed-use building that will include theater space, parking and apartments for short-term and long-term housing of actors.
The Maiers have proposed that their challenge gift be used as a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to create a “circle of friends” to name the Arts Plaza in honor of Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy. All pledges toward the McGillicuddy Circle of Friends received after April 1 will be matched.
The challenge gift serves to help complete Phase 1 of the Arts Plaza project, which includes construction of the eight-story building, parking garage and opening three stories of artist housing. The challenge grant will position Florida Studio Theatre to break ground in December 2024. The completed project is projected at a $57 million investment.
Arts Plaza features include:
The Arts Plaza will be built on property currently owned by Florida Studio Theatre near its current downtown facilities, which will remain.