The University of South Florida Foundation has received $30,000 in donations to create a program at the Florida Center for Partnerships in Arts-Integrated Teaching (PAInT) that combines creative learning and classroom instruction with concepts that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Called the Beeler Scholars’ IDEIL Program, the initiative is named for philanthropists Tom and Carol Beeler of Sarasota, who provided $10,000 to help launch the program. IDEIL stands for Incorporate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Leadership. The program will create a collaborative environment where the arts become central to the teaching, learning and embracing of concepts, including diversity, equity, and inclusion; financial literacy and workforce development; collaboration, teamwork and social awareness; and creativity and critical thinking.

The Center for PAInT, based at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus, will administer the program with assistance from local colleges, arts organizations and public schools, including the Circus Arts Conservatory, Florida Studio Theatre, New College of Florida, the Ringling College of Art and Design, State College of Florida, the Visible Men Academy charter school, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Booker Promise, a college-readiness initiative at Booker High School in Sarasota.

In addition to the Beeler family, the program received matching funds from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County totaling $20,000 to help subsidize the launch and the program’s first-year developmental phase.