About Us
Over 50 Years of Arts Programs
GACA was founded by a group of parents and educators in Gainesville, Florida in 1967. Now based in southwest Florida, we run programs and arts events throughout Florida, the USA, and even globally.
Support our Programs
You can support GACA by signing up for one of our workshops or attending one of our programs scheduled throughout the year. You can also make a tax-deductible contribution. GACA is a not for profit, 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by current tax laws.
Thank You
All of our shows and programs are free and open to the public. Our visual and performing arts workshops have modest fees and full scholarships are available.
Another "Heather Erin Eyerly Performing Arts Scholarship" Awarded!
Our newest initiative has achieved another milestone! In addition to the first scholarship in honor of Dr. Heather Erin Eyerly, a dynamic teacher, conductor, and professor of music at the Crane Conservatory at SUNY Potsdam, awarded through Florida Thespians District 12, GACA has partnered with the Village School in Naples to award a Performing Arts Scholarship to prospective high school students based upon financial need. The Village School is a certified STEAM school with a vibrant vocal music and musical theatre program.
Additionally, our generous gifts allowed us to partner this with District 12 of the Florida Thespians to assist chosen student recipients with pursuing their dream of a Musical Theatre degree. The check was presented at the December 2022 District Festival. District 12 includes Lake County, Florida where Heather was a graduate of Leesburg High School. We hope to continue to support scholarships through both Florida Thespians and the Village School.
Dr. Heather Eyerly passed away after a long battle with inflammatory breast cancer. Her passion was instilling a love of music, especially vocal performance, in students of all ages. The mission of this scholarship is to see that her legacy lives on by bestowing scholarships to deserving Florida students interested in pursuing vocal performance or musical theatre.
We have raised over $10,000 for this scholarship to date, and we have reserved funds to disburse another $2000 in fall 2023. We would like to increase the value of these scholarships and make them renewable for four years, but we will need to raise much more to endow Heather's scholarship for the future. Together, we are making a positive impact in the lives of aspiring vocal performers in honor of Heather’s memory. As Heather was fond of reminding her students and peers invoking the words of the Greek physician Hippocrates: ”Ars longa, vita brevis.” Art is long, life is short.
GACA is a not for profit, 501c3 (Registration #CH7662) and all donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by current tax laws. "A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435- 7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE."
