Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CRA hears updates on mural call, youth programs and business training funded by mini-grants
Summary
At the March 11 meeting the board received public comments and updates on community mini‑grants: a $25,000 mural call at Emeralds Park Place, STAR Lab youth programming, SCORE seminars and CareerSource entrepreneurial cohorts funded or supported by Newtown CRA mini‑grants.
The Newtown CRA Advisory Board heard a series of presentations March 11 from community partners that received mini‑grant support, including a city public art administrator, neighborhood representatives, youth program leaders, and business training partners.
Sierra Coleman, the City of Sarasota's Public Art Administrator, described an open call for artists in partnership with the Sarasota Housing Authority for a $25,000 mural commission on the west‑facing wall of Emeralds Park Place facing Orange Avenue. The call is open to local and regional artists (within 100 miles or formerly local artists maintaining a connection to the city) through Feb. 15; staff noted an artist workshop will be held at the Lois and David Silver Gallery at Ringling College. Coleman said three finalists will be chosen and each finalist will receive a $500 stipend to develop a final design concept.
Lisonbee Reaney, head of STAR Lab, described how a Newtown mini grant funded free summer programming for approximately 20 kindergarten–third grade students at Janie's Garden clubhouse, enabling weekly community trips (bowling, beach, Bayfront Park splash pad) and STEM, arts and theater experiences. Reaney said the grant allowed STAR Lab to pay teachers and expand activities, and that a smaller mini grant has already been awarded for the following summer.
Representatives from SCORE and CareerSource Suncoast reported on business‑support programming funded by CRA mini grants. A SCORE representative said a seven‑session seminar series brought roughly 40 unique attendees and generated mentoring requests; Anthony Gangliano of CareerSource Suncoast said the program produced multiple graduates and that 28 participants completed a recent cohort in June 2025, with 130 registrations for an upcoming January cohort (18 from CRA residents). These programs were described as free or low‑cost supports connecting entrepreneurs to coaching and resources.
Why it matters: The presentations illustrate how the CRA’s mini‑grant program is being used for public art, youth services and small‑business assistance—areas that board members and presenters linked to community revitalization goals on the MLK corridor.
Next steps: Staff offered to help connect artists and community members with the public art administrator and to include details of mini‑grant outcomes in future board materials.
