Art Forward
By Ronda M. Parag
Tampa Bay’s arts scene is thriving like never before, energized by the ‘next’ generation of advocates, philanthropists, and cultural champions. Many of these under-45 supporters grew up tagging along to museum galas or symphony performances, watching parents or grandparents champion the arts. Today, they’re forging their own philanthropic paths—serving on young professionals’ boards, underwriting performances, or simply showing up and speaking out. Their passion and commitment ensure that Tampa Bay remains a vibrant hub of creativity and culture for generations to come.
METRO highlights seven inspiring individuals who embody this spirit, along with the four institutions they champion: the Tampa Museum of Art, The Dalí Museum, Tampa Arts Alliance and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
Michael A. Tomor, PhD
Tampa Museum of Art
Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director
A cornerstone of Tampa’s cultural fabric, the Tampa Museum of Art connects the community through a dynamic blend of classical antiquities, modern art, and community-focused programming. Under the leadership of Dr. Michael Tomor, the Museum has strategically expanded its outreach to younger demographics through its NextGen program—a quarterly mixer with mission-driven programming for ages 21–40—as well as signature events like Art & Aces, Pride & Passion, and CITY: Fashion+Art+Culture. These initiatives are designed to engage young professionals socially, intellectually, and philanthropically.
“Younger supporters want to see a direct impact,” says Dr. Tomor. “They value transparency, relevance, and personal connection. Engaging them now ensures we’re building cultural stewards who will shape the arts landscape for decades to come.”
With Hillsborough County’s largest age demographic now between 20 and 36, Tomor emphasizes that their involvement is vital.“Their voices today will help sustain and evolve Tampa Bay’s arts tomorrow,” says Tomor.
Yvonne Marrullier
The Dalí Museum
Development Director
Known internationally for housing the most comprehensive collection of Salvador Dalí’s work outside of Spain, The Dalí Museum also leads in education, innovation, and forward-thinking engagement strategies. Development Director Yvonne Marrullier has helped design pathways for younger supporters through programs like Innovation Labs, which merge business leadership and Dalí’s creative methodology. For high school students, the VolunTEEN initiative offers early arts engagement, while young adults can join museum committees like the Zodiac Committee to build leadership experience.
“Younger supporters are highly values-driven,” says Marrullier. “They give time and talent before treasure—and seek alignment with causes that resonate deeply.”
Their influence is already felt in programming, fundraising events, and strategic decision-making. “Millennials and Gen Z supporters are helping us reimagine what museum involvement looks like. They’re collaborative, purpose-focused, and their input has led to innovative outreach and new community partnerships.”
With an upcoming campus expansion and capital campaign underway, The Dalí is leaning into this energy to shape a future as bold as the artist himself.
Michele Smith
Tampa Arts Alliance
Executive Director
The Tampa Arts Alliance is building an ecosystem where artists, advocates, and cultural leaders across generations connect to ensure Tampa’s arts scene is both vibrant and equitable. Executive Director Michele Smith has made accessibility and intergenerational leadership central to the Alliance’s growth. Through Artist Salons, cross-industry partnerships, and the Artists & Advisors Committee, younger creatives and professionals are finding entry points into meaningful arts advocacy.
“It’s essential to empower the next generation now,” says Smith. “We’re facing declining public arts funding and a massive transfer of wealth over the next 20 years. We must engage emerging leaders who will shape policy and philanthropy in the decades ahead.” Smith’s philosophy blends openness with intentional structure. “We design programs that don’t require deep pockets or years of experience—just a passion for the arts,” Smith says. “Young leaders are bringing innovation, energy, and urgency to our work—and helps the organization stay in tune with the leading edge.”
Julie Britton
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Chief Development Officer
The Straz Center is the cultural anchor of Tampa’s performing arts scene, drawing more than 600,000 visitors annually for Broadway tours, music, opera, and educational programming. Chief Development Officer Julie Britton emphasizes that engaging younger supporters isn’t just strategic—it’s essential to ensure our service to our community for generations. Through initiatives like Club Straz, the Broadway Ball After Dark event, and a growing portfolio of professional development and donor engagement experiences, the Straz is cultivating the next wave of cultural patrons.
“Younger donors are often more interested in hands-on involvement” says Britton. “They rely on technology to learn about us and the impact of our programs.”
What’s more, she sees their presence as a cultural multiplier. “They look for transparency from organizations they support and they want to know more about what their gifts supports,” adds Britton. The Straz’s commitment to engage the next generation to develop audiences and donors includes a “mindset of constant re-invention, while remaining true to our mission.”
Young leaders and passionate supporters are breathing new life into Tampa Bay’s cultural scene—championing museums, performing arts, and local talent with vision, energy, and heart. Their support signals a critical evolution for the region’s cultural scene. As arts organizations look to the future, these younger voices are not just sustaining tradition … they’re reimagining it.
Gabriella Giammarco
Co-Chair, Arts & Aces | Advocate for Arts Education,
Tampa Museum of Art
Gabrie Giammarco’s commitment to the arts is deeply rooted in family and fueled by a global perspective. Her early exposure to the arts—through local performances and community events—blossomed into something greater after formative summers studying in Florence and London, where she immersed herself in the world’s most iconic cultural institutions. “My family instilled in me a lasting respect for the arts and led me to what I now see as my calling—to protect the arts and ensure access for others in our community,” she says.
A lifelong dancer and alum of Berkeley Preparatory School’s celebrated arts programs, Giammarco’s creative background continues to inform her advocacy. Now back in Tampa Bay, she serves as Co-Chair of the Tampa Museum of Art’s Arts & Aces, a signature fundraising event that directly supports youth and teen arts education. For Giammarco, the reward lies in impact: “Every dollar raised helps support and impact the Youth Council and Teen Programs. It’s my calling to help protect the arts and the access to arts in our community.”
To Giammarco, the arts are a powerful tool for connection. From showcasing Tampa’s rich Cuban and Latin heritage to driving cultural tourism and economic vitality, she sees art as a bridge that transcends language and social boundaries. Her message to young adults? “Philanthropy isn’t just for later in life. Giving your time, talents, or resources now builds the foundation for a creative, thriving future—and your voice is needed.”
Elle Chancey
Arts Advocate | Member, Art & Aces Committee,
Tampa Museum of Art
For Elle Chancey, a deep appreciation for the arts runs in the family. Raised by design professionals Walt and Sandra Chancey—founders of Tampa’s renowned architecture and interior design firm, Chancey Design—Elle grew up immersed in conversations about form, space and aesthetics. Her parents’ longtime support of the Tampa Museum of Art, including their current role as co-chairs of the 39th annual Pavilion event, served as a model for arts philanthropy done with heart.
Now back in Tampa after a decade in Washington, DC and Virginia, Chancey is bringing that legacy full circle through her own contributions. As a member of TMA’s Art and Aces committee, she’s helping create meaningful access to the arts for local youth. “That kind of access can be transformative,” she says. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to help nurture a thriving, inclusive arts scene—one that continues to grow and inspire.”
To Chancey, the arts are far more than an aesthetic experience—they’re a tool for connection, reflection, and cultural preservation. She’s particularly inspired by Tampa Bay’s Cuban and Latin influences, noting how the arts help keep those stories alive. “Supporting the arts isn’t just for older generations—it’s for anyone who believes in preserving beauty, promoting diverse voices, and shaping a future rooted in creativity.”
Marianne Biscoglia & Ryan Griffin
Member, The Dalí Guild | St. Petersburg Art Alliance Advocate
Community Connector
For Marianne Biscoglia, supporting the arts is both a personal journey and a family tradition. Her father and stepmother, longtime members of The Dalí Guild, helped spark her deeper commitment to the arts later in life. “The Dalí opened my eyes to the cultural life of our community,” Biscoglia says. “It’s unique.” That introduction became a turning point, inspiring her to become more involved in St. Petersburg’s thriving arts scene.
A proud resident of St. Petersburg and known as “a city of the arts,” Marianne actively supports both The Dalí Museum and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, where her husband, Ryan Griffin, serves as Chair of the Board. The couple most recently co-chaired Sueños de Dalí, the museum’s iconic surrealist-themed fundraiser. For Biscoglia the relationships formed through these experiences—both personal and professional—are invaluable. “It’s about connection, celebration, and building lifelong friendships through a shared love of the arts.”
“Supporting the arts is supporting our community,” says Biscoglia. “It’s how we preserve what makes Tampa Bay so special—and how we shape the future for the next generation.”
Angelina Garcia
Visual Artist | Arts Advocate
Board Member, Tampa Arts Alliance
With a family rooted in the arts—musicians, performers, painters, and more—Angelina Garcia’s creative foundation was built from an early age. Her passion has evolved into a dual identity: a classically trained dancer with nearly two decades of experience and a self-taught abstract visual artist working under her personal brand, ART x AMG. Today, her mission is clear: to elevate Tampa Bay’s creative culture and expand access and appreciation for local artists.
Directors for the Tampa Arts Alliance, is a Public Art Committee Member for the Westshore Alliance, and belongs to multiple organizations supporting both artists and community causes. Whether donating original works to charitable events or volunteering with nonprofits, she remains a constant force for good in the local arts ecosystem.
For Garcia, supporting the arts is both personal and purposeful. “As one of the top cities for growth, now is the time to ensure the arts are a priority in our community,” she says. Her message to other young professionals? “Arts philanthropy isn’t reserved for older generations—it’s a movement that thrives with fresh energy, perspective, and passion.”
Keebler Straz
Arts Advocate | Community Leader
Philanthropic Supporter of the Performing Arts
For Keebler Straz, supporting the arts isn’t just a passion—it’s a continuation of a powerful family legacy. Raised in a household where community involvement and arts philanthropy were foundational values, Straz was introduced early to the transformative power of performance and cultural expression. “From a young age, my parents immersed me in performances and arts initiatives, shaping my understanding of its cultural value,” she says. Today, that early exposure has evolved into a personal commitment to ensuring the arts remain vital and accessible in Tampa Bay.
Whether through donations, volunteerism, or board service, Straz believes in supporting the arts in a full-circle way. What she finds most rewarding? “Seeing the wonder and joy on someone’s face—especially a first-time attendee—as they experience the arts. That’s when you truly see the impact.”
Now actively engaged in Tampa’s growing cultural landscape, Straz finds meaning in witnessing the city evolve into a thriving hub for creativity and connection. Her message to peers is clear: “Arts philanthropy isn’t about age—it’s about impact. It’s not just about leaving a legacy; it’s about living one.”
Christopher Combie, Ph.D.
Opera Tampa Board Member | Arts Advocate
Cultural Connector
For Christopher Combie, the arts have always been a powerful force for connection and expression. Raised in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, he attended cultural performances at the Island Center and school productions at Good Hope School, where his passion for the arts was ignited. During high school, he witnessed the founding of the Caribbean Community Theatre, a civic arts institution that helped shape his view of the arts as a vital part of community life.
Today, Combie supports the arts in Tampa Bay through Opera Tampa board involvement, advocacy, and philanthropy. He believes that the arts create more than beauty—they build empathy, foster dialogue, and invite deeper reflection. “So many of the new musical and operatic works are based on history or current events. They help us navigate our lived experiences,” Combie says.
In Tampa Bay, the arts also provide Combie with new connections and professional opportunities. “They help me meet like-minded individuals and expand our donor base,” he adds. His advice for peers who may not yet see themselves in the arts? “Be open. Try it again for the first time. Let yourself feel and be transported into the story.”
Dr. Rebecca & William Gibbons
Straz Center Supporters | Arts Advocates
Community Connectors
For William and Dr. Rebecca Gibbons, the arts have long been a shared passion—one rooted in childhood experiences and carried forward into their life together in Tampa Bay. Both raised in families that valued creativity and service, they were encouraged to participate in choirs, bands and theater from an early age. “That foundation shaped our passion for the arts,” William and Rebecca say. Rebecca even volunteered as an usher at the Straz Center during her time at the University of Tampa—an experience that took on new meaning when William surprised her by attending a performance early in their relationship.
Now active supporters of the Straz Center and Tampa Bay’s performing arts scene, the Gibbonses give back through financial contributions, attendance, and advocacy—often bringing friends and family to performances. “One of the most rewarding parts is sharing the experience,” they note. Most recently, they gathered friends for a lively Clue Walking Mystery, showing how the arts can bring joy, community and creativity together.
For the Gibbonses, the arts are a way to stay connected—not only to each other, but to Tampa Bay’s cultural fabric. “We plant trees today to provide shade for tomorrow,” they say. “Starting our philanthropic journey now has become a meaningful part of our lives and we hope it helps sustain the arts for generations to come.” M
Be sure to visit the “The Fall Arts Season in Tampa Bay” article, where METRO has compiled some must-see exhibits, performances and fundraisers that benefit the arts scene.
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