By Tamas Mondovics

Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, a non-profit cultural arts center in Brandon located adjacent to the Brandon Regional Library, is facing some challenges this year.

Due to recent budget cuts, the Arts Counsel of Hillsborough County has turned down Center Place's request for a Cultural Development Grant which has been an important life-line in subsidizing the number of art programs held at the center throughout the year.

Interestingly, Center Place staff members are optimistic and confident about the future of the facility as they turn to the community for support. 

Program Coordinator Dawn Galia says, "In order to continue the variety of art related programs, the center now has to rely on the generosity of the members the local community."

According to Center Place Executive Director Darci D'Onofrio, the center began offering stage performances almost two decades ago and is ready to do whatever it takes in order to continue with the programs offered to members of the Brandon community.

 "We have been playing a huge part in the lives of thousands of young people who come here to see live theater, many often for the first time," says D'Onofrio. "The grants, which we were denied for the first time in six years, allowed us to give out thousands of free stage production tickets to children who otherwise would not have a chance to enjoy the programs."

Children's visits to plays produced by professional companies, such as Stage Productions, Fantasy Theater Factory and Play'n Around Theater, have been subsidized by the grants received ranging from $15,000 to last year's $26,000.

Local businesses and residents have already stepped up to the plate demonstrating a generous spirit and interest in supporting the arts.

For example, Mimi's Café donated free meals to Center Place instructors as well as the students. It has also contributed 800 wooden nickels which are good for one kid's meal at Mimi's.

Center Place also receives support from its Pat's Corner gift shop located near the building's entrance. The Presidents’ Roundtable, a civic organization open to representatives of all local clubs, was instrumental in starting Center Place in 1976. Demonstrating a continued commitment and belief in supporting fine arts, the organization is going to donate $10,000 next year due to the lack of funds from the Arts Council, while they are committed to speak with other organizations about providing additional funding. 

The Brandon Foundation also donated $8,000 for children's programming in the fall.

The brand new Pepin Hospitality Center, where Center Place's annual Arts Gala Fundraiser event will be held on March 29, is open to the public. The event will be catered by Outback Steakhouse. Tickets will cost $125 per person and all proceeds will go to children's programming such as free tickets to many Title One schools in the area.

The more than 4,000 children who receive free tickets, which normally cost $5 a piece, no doubt appreciate the generosity of all who support Center Place's children's programming.