Volunteer with Class Acts!
April 3, 2024
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Awarded with Grant by Local Faith-Based Speer Dream Foundation
July 2, 2024
Dear Patrons,
As Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts nears the end of its 14th season supporting the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on how far we have come. In 2011, Bill Edwards created Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit support arm of the Mahaffey Theater and inherited the theater’s Youth Field Trip Program, Class Acts. Since its birth, the foundation has dedicated itself to providing educational programs, community outreach, and live performances with emphasis on culturally diverse programming of all genres.
Some of the shows Edwards has booked include Christina Aguilera, Matt Rife, Marc Anthony and more. This past season was a great success with over 200,000 visitors, and with over 20,000 school children attending our Class Acts field trips. Now, our Foundation has its sights set on something even bigger — becoming St. Petersburg’s epicenter for the visual, culinary and performing arts as we embark on the 60th Anniversary Season of the theater.
“When you walk through the doors of the Mahaffey Theater, we want you to feel like you’re entering a special place that celebrates the arts, entertainment, and civic engagement,” said CEO, Bill Edwards. “Where else can you find world-class entertainment and a host of sold-out shows? This summer, Netflix chose us to film Bert Kreischer’s seven sold-out live shows. After evaluating other venues in the area, we’re thrilled they selected us to host this event in downtown St. Petersburg. This puts our theater on the map both nationally and internationally! As we enter our 60th year anniversary, get ready for a fabulous lineup—many other surprises await. The best is yet to come!”
Join us today to help us keep growing!
From Left: board members Brady Diggs, Tyler Iller, Foundation President Amy Miller, and board member Mitch Egan
In April, Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts appointed three business leaders to its Board of Directors, with committees being formed in preparation for The Mahaffey Theater’s upcoming 60th Anniversary season. These new members include renowned artist and philanthropist Trish Duggan, licensed state contractor and loyal donor Mitch Egan, and wealth management specialist Tyler Iller. Each member brings diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to furthering the foundation’s mission of enriching our community through the arts.
The addition of these new board members signifies the Foundation’s commitment to expanding its reach and impact. The Foundation aims to elevate The Mahaffey Theater into a regional and global cultural arts hub. Plans are underway for a spectacular 60th year lineup with many special events, including a gala.
“Partnering with these community leaders, each contributing distinct expertise, presents an extraordinary opportunity to advance our foundation,” Foundation President, Amy Miller said of the recent collaborations. “Furthermore, we are proud to announce the launch of Mahaffey’s Leading Ladies, a women’s giving circle spearheaded by Donna Cothron, a seasoned fundraiser.”
As a nonprofit organization dedicated to arts education and outreach, the Foundation relies on the dedication of its staff, volunteers, and esteemed board members to fulfill its mission. The multifaceted leaders will undoubtedly enrich the Foundation’s initiatives with their contributions.
To learn more about the Mahaffey’s Leading Ladies Giving Circle, contact Amy Miller at amiller@billedwardsfoundationforthearts.org.
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts has collaborated with Imagine Museum Founder, Trish Duggan, to exhibit 3D glass and 2D artwork in the gallery space throughout the Mahaffey Theater.
Bill Edwards and Trish Duggan’s partnership began at one of the Music & Musings Events at The Mahaffey Theater. The event was an exhibition for “Glass Harmonies,” an auction of contemporary glass art from Imagine Museum. The successful event proved to Edwards and Duggan the power of bringing the performing and visual arts together.
Thus, the pair implemented a rotating gallery featuring local artwork from Imagine Museum, furthering Bill Edwards’ mission of making the Mahaffey Theater an epicenter for various art forms, and to propel Duggan’s mission of giving exposure to local artists. All the art featured in this rotating gallery is for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts.
Recently, Trish Duggan has appointed Bill Edwards to the Board of Directors at Imagine Museum, citing his vision for elevating arts in St. Pete as a reason for this addition.
“I am thrilled to have Bill Edwards join our Board of Directors at Imagine Museum! He is an astute businessman, a good friend and a pillar of the St. Pete community,” said Duggan. “I’m impressed and inspired by his magnificent vision to elevate the arts in St. Pete by bringing performing, visual and culinary arts together under one roof at the Mahaffey Theater and Sonata Restaurant. We both agree on the importance of art to uplift, inspire and educate our world.”
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts is excited for our second annual Musical Theater Summer Camp! This summer camp will immerse participants aged 7 through 18 in the magical world of The Little Mermaid JR, allowing them to showcase their talents and creativity on stage. The production will captivate friends, family, and the community and showcase each participant’s talent and artistic growth.
The Little Mermaid JR Summer Camp is a three-week camp held on weekdays from July 8–26, at The Mahaffey Theater. Students will receive professional instruction in acting, singing, dancing and set design activities.
The highlight of the camp will be two public performances on July 26 and 27 at The Mahaffey Theater. Tickets for these performances go on sale to the public on Friday, June 14 at 10am. Members of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts have access to an exclusive presale starting Wednesday, June 12 at 10am. Call (727) 300-2000 to reserve your seats and learn more about the perks of membership!
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway allocated $164,455 to five local youth programs focused on the arts and educational mentorship.
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts received an award to fund educational field trips and arts education, with an emphasis on transportation scholarships.
This is the third time the SPPD had received the grant to fund local arts education programs with the goal of removing economic barriers to participation in hopes to divert teens from potential criminal activity and to steer our youth towards positive accomplishments.
In addition, the SPPD partnered with Class Acts to put on the BAM! Safety First Festival on May 21. The SPPD provided interactive activities to showcase the importance of personal wellness, crime prevention, and safety.
Thank you, St. Petersburg Police Department!
The much-anticipated dining experience at The Mahaffey Theater is finally here. Enjoy some of the best waterfront views in St. Petersburg while dining on an incredible menu specially curated by Award-winning Executive Chef Ted Dorsey, which features “Coastal Cuisine rooted in Southern Hospitality.” The name “Sonata” draws inspiration from the musical term, signifying a composition that brings together diverse elements in a harmonious way, much like the seamless fusion of flavors, culture, and the arts within your dining experience.
Sonata is adorned with captivating artwork from the Imagine Museum’s Trish Duggan and other local artists, and the theatrical ambience of the restaurant is made complete with a large moon installation hanging in the theater’s atrium, making it visible to those dining in the restaurant as well as to onlookers outside on the pavilion.
This moon is made by United Kingdom-based artist Luke Jerram, the installation is 23 feet in diameter and is made of internally lit fabric and features NASA imagery of the moon. The sculpture was gifted to the theater as a temporary loan from Imagine Museum’s Trish Duggan, as part of Duggan’s recent collaboration with Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts.
Voted Best Romantic Restaurant by Tampa Bay Magazine, you can come and enjoy the cuisine with a view whether you attend a show at the theater or not. Open 6 days – Tuesday through Sunday, with Brunch being offered Saturday and Sunday.
