The Florida Theatre and Community First Credit Union announced Wednesday during Art Walk the credit union will become the theater’s first season-long sponsor and partner for all programs and events.
It’s a three-year agreement and the largest partnership in the 30-year history of the theater as a nonprofit. Monetary details were not released.
The announcement was dubbed “New Year, New Season, New Friends.”
John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of the credit union, in a news release described the venue as a “community treasure” and “an integral part of our downtown as well as our local cultural history.”
The sponsorship will support the operations of the Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center Inc., the nonprofit that has since 1987 managed and programmed the venue in a public-private partnership with the city.
The theater offers more than 175 music, dance and other performances of myriad genres each year and a summer film series.
It also is the venue of choice for nonprofits that produce the annual Community Nutcracker ballet and the Theatreworks...Live! performance season for children.
“Our partnership with Community First Credit Union supports that effort, ensuring we can do more for our community,” said Numa Saisselin, president of the Florida Theatre, said in the release.