Three Downtown Lake Worth Organizations to Receive Grant Funds from Florida Legislature

LAKE WORTH, FL. — Over $375,000 in grant funds have been appropriated by the Florida Legislature to three reputable downtown Lake Worth organizations. These funds were recently approved by Governor Rick Scott as part of Florida’s 2014-2015 final budget. The funds will be made available through the State’s Division of Cultural Affairs ( www.florida-arts.org ).

The three recipients of the grant funds are the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the Lake Worth Playhouse and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County and the Lake Worth Playhouse will be receiving $150,000 and $75,000, respectively, which will be used for their general program support.

The Lake Worth CRA was granted $150,000 to be used towards facility renovation of the former Shuffleboard Court building located at 1121 Lucerne Avenue in downtown Lake Worth. Renovations include interior demolition, new lighting, new fire suppression system, new artist workstations, new floors & walls and removal of the acoustical drop ceilings. These physical renovations are being made to help retain a local arts organization which is using the facility for artist workshops, classes and gallery space. Renovations of the building are expected to begin in late 2014 and be completed by summer 2015. Earlier this year, the Armory Art Center entered into a one year lease agreement to use this building for classes and exhibitions. Classes at the new art center are scheduled to begin June 23rd. A list of available classes and registration procedures can be found at www.armoryart.org/Armory_Annex or www.lakewortharts.com.

In addition, the Lake Worth CRA was granted $1,600 in seed money to be used for specific cultural projects. Funds from this grant will purchase high definition film equipment which will be used at a new outdoor film series taking place in downtown Lake Worth in 2015.

The CRA would like to thank the Florida Legislature for sharing the vision of making Lake Worth the center of the arts community in Palm Beach County.

For more information about the Lake Worth CRA, please visit: lakeworthcra.org or lakewortharts.com or call (561) 493-2550.