The Exchange awards $500,000 to support students, local arts
The Exchange recently awarded $500,000 to 25 regionally based arts and cultural organizations and 27 high school and college students at its 2026 Grants and Scholarship Awards gala. Ten organizations also received funding through the recent Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education grant.
"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 (formerly the Woman's Exchange). "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."
Koblenz said organizational grants make up the largest portion of this year's giving and support specific projects and outreach efforts that include exhibitions, performances, special series, and arts education initiatives.
Scholarships were awarded to students based on academic achievement, artistic goals, creative accomplishments, and letters of recommendation.
The Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants, established in 2023, fund collaborative projects between arts organizations and educators that bring visual and performing arts experiences to K-12 students. The grant honors the legacy of Elizabeth "Liz" Lindsay, co-founder of The Exchange and a longtime champion of arts education who passed away in 2022.
$11 million since 1962
"Every grant and scholarship we award begins with the generosity of our volunteers, consignors and shoppers," Koblenz said. "Their support of our 15,000-square-foot consignment boutique makes it possible for us to invest at record levels in the arts community we serve. Thanks to them, The Exchange has awarded more than $11 million to local arts organizations and students since 1962."
Organizational grant recipients for the 2026-27 include Art Center Sarasota; Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota; Arts and Cultural Alliance; Asolo Repertory Theatre; Circus Arts Conservatory; Ensemble NEW SRQ Inc.; Florida Studio Theatre; The Hermitage Artist Retreat; Jazz Club of Sarasota; La Musica di Asolo; Manatee Community Concert Band Inc.; Marie Selby Botanical Gardens; Ringling College of Art and Design; Sarasota Art Museum; Sarasota Ballet; Sarasota Concert Association; Sarasota Cuban Ballet; Sarasota Jewish Theatre; Sarasota Opera Association; Sarasota Orchestra; The Pops Orchestra; Sarasota Rising; Soundbox Ventures; Venice Theatre; and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida.
Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants included Circus Arts Conservatory; Florida Studio Theatre; Key Chorale; Pine View Orchestra; Ringling College of Art and Design; Sarasota Opera Association; Sarasota Ballet of Florida; Sarasota Orchestra; Venice Theatre; and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
The high school scholarship recipients are 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.
The college scholarship recipients are Chiaralis Brown, Vivianna Coppa, Lily Edwards, Jack Fletcher, Isabella Kulawik, Jordan Pitts, Kyle Ramon, Danae Tran and Cory Woomert.
Established in 1962, The Exchange (539 S. Orange Ave. in Sarasota), which generates funds from its consignment operation, annually awards grants and scholarships to support the arts in Sarasota and Manatee counties. For more information, visit sarasotawex.com.us.
Submitted by Su Byron
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The Exchange awards $500,000 to support students, local arts
Reporting by Special to the Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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This story was originally published July 2, 2026 at 6:30 AM.