Venice Theatre goes public with funding request

Expected government support for restoration didn’t materialize

BOB MUDGE Senior Writer

Venice Gondolier-Sun

VENICE — Rebuffed by the government in its effort to fund its restoration, Venice Theatre is turning to the public to keep the project on track.

Hurricane Ian, in September 2022, devastated the theater, leveling its fly tower and leaving the building open to the elements. The Jervey Theatre, home to the main stage, was destroyed, and other buildings on the campus were heavily damaged.

While the theater had some insurance coverage, restoration encountered a double whammy of inflated prices in general, compounded by needing to meet current building codes.

In addition, Ian presented a small silver lining — a chance to modernize the building to make it safer and more functional, at additional expense.

All of that adds up to a “firm” price tag of $25 million, of which about $9 million has been raised, according to an Aug. 1 statement from the Venice Theatre board of directors.

Nearly $6 million in repairs have already been completed, it says.

But the theater was counting on receiving $6 million in funding from Sarasota County’s Resilient SRQ program — money it got through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for hurricane recovery.

It was awarded nothing, despite its annual $50 million economic impact in the county, the statement says.

And the state has always budgeted money for arts groups, but every project — $32 million worth — was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year, an action he attributed to some of them using the funds for programming the public might find objectionable.

Promised funding from the theater’s commercial lender also fell through, the statement says.

“These losses will push back the anticipated date of saving the 75-year-old theatre,” it says.

“Venice Theatre needs your support to complete this center of arts and education. Give to our Save Venice Theatre Fund. Stand with us when we host a campus-wide grand opening and celebrate Venice Theatre’s next 75 years.”

Donate to the restoration effort at VeniceTheatre.org.