Sponsors help make our programs possible

Contributed by Leslie Farrell, publicist for the Patel Conservatory


When you work at a nonprofit organization, you hear a lot about “corporate giving.” Those of us who are working for the public good usually have to look to corporations for financial support. 

Wendy Leigh, with David Christian and Brett Couch
from Regions Bank

Last week, we welcomed corporate higher-ups from Regions Bank, David Christian and Brett Couch, to the Patel Conservatory in Tampa for a photo shoot with Wendy Leigh, the Straz Center’s vice-president of education.

Regions Bank generously donated funds toward the Straz Center/Patel Conservatory’s outreach programs. They are featuring the Straz Center in its annual Social Responsibility Report. This report is actually a high gloss beautiful magazine-type publication, of which 30,000 will be printed and distributed in bank lobbies and other places across the country. 

Now who would have thought these corporate leaders would have so much fun during a photo shoot? The photographer got them going on some humorous topic and their sides were sore from laughing. Something about an Old Spice You Tube video that I somehow missed.

Later in the day, the shoot included students from Sulphur Springs Elementary and their Patel Conservatory theater instructor, Audrey Siegler. The bank brought in hair stylists for the event. So Siegler’s busy day went from teaching a group of middle school drama students on a field trip, to getting treated to a professional hairdo for photo opp at Sulphur Springs Elementary, where she teaches an outreach drama class.

The Patel Conservatory serves up to 15,000 people through outreaches like Siegler’s classes throughout the Tampa area in dance, music and theater. We have 1,100 students enrolled in classes at the Conservatory. Thanks to Regions and other supporters, 10 to 15 percent of our students receive financial aid, scholarships and free classes.

In addition, we’re able to offer Access Arts Scholarships (now accepting applications through March 4, 2011) for summer camps and classes.

We're privileged to be featured in Regions Bank’s Social Responsibility Report, and we’re grateful to all of our financial contributors for supporting arts education.