Proceeds from The Exchange sales aid 50 groups, students

More than 50 students and arts and cultural organizations received a total of $500,000 last month from The Exchange, a 15,000-square-foot downtown consignment shop that sells items including high-end furniture, clothing, jewelry and accessories.

The store on Orange Avenue, formerly known as The Women's Exchange, annually awards grants and scholarships from the proceeds of its sales. The nonprofit’s central purpose is supporting and enriching a variety of programs for local cultural organizations.

“Our region’s arts and cultural community is both an economic driver and a source of inspiration,” said Karen Koblenz, executive director and CEO of The Exchange, in a statement. “We were delighted by the number and quality of scholarship applications we received this year, which allowed us to support more students than ever before. We’re also proud to award $500,000 in grants and scholarships — an achievement we’ve reached only one other time in our history. These funds often arrive at pivotal moments and can make a meaningful difference for both organizations and emerging artists.”

The awards ceremony was June 11.

Organizational grants

Art Center Sarasota; Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, Inc.; Arts and Cultural Alliance; Asolo Repertory Theatre; Circus Arts Conservatory; Ensemble NEW SRQ Inc.; Florida Studio Theatre; The Hermitage Artist Retreat, Inc.; Jazz Club of Sarasota; La Musica di Asolo; Manatee Community Concert Band Inc.; The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Inc.; Ringling College of Art and Design; Sarasota Art Museum; Sarasota Ballet; Sarasota Concert Association; Sarasota Cuban Ballet; Sarasota Jewish Theatre; Sarasota Opera Association Inc.; Sarasota Orchestra; The Pops Orchestra; Sarasota Rising Inc.; Soundbox Ventures, Inc.; Venice Theatre Inc.; and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants

Circus Arts Conservatory; Florida Studio Theatre; Key Chorale, Inc.; Pine View Orchestra, Inc.; Ringling College of Art and Design; Sarasota Opera Association, Inc.; Sarasota Ballet of Florida; Sarasota Orchestra; Venice Theatre, Inc.; and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. 

Scholarship recipients

High school: Jayanna Andre, Sean Bruinius, Eila Chandra, Claire Consbruck, Moira Corbett, Audrey DeLuca, Isabelle Harrell, Madeline Holdway, Joshua Lozano, Emilia Marr, Selah Mclain, Lillana Medina, Hana Mullen, Liana Schiabach, Spencer Schurawel, Kila Sons, Julianne Teague and Asher Woomert.

College: Chiaralis Brown, Vivianna Coppa, Lily Edwards, Jack Fletcher, Isabella Kulawik, Jordan Pitts, Kyle Ramon, Danae Tran and Cory Woomert.