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By Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel Arts Writer


5:47 p.m. EST, May 30, 2012

  • Mickey Mouse awarded $20,000 to Enzian Theater, represented by Enzian executive director Elizabeth Tiedtke (from left), chairman Sigrid Tiedtke and director of development Jeff Spoeri.
Mickey Mouse awarded $20,000 to Enzian Theater, represented by Enzian executive director Elizabeth Tiedtke (from left), chairman Sigrid Tiedtke and director of development Jeff Spoeri. (Enzian Theater / May 30, 2012)

Several Central Florida arts organizations have been beneficiaries of Walt Disney World’s Helping Kids Shine campaign, a grant program established in 1972.

Disney distributes the annual grants each spring to organizations throughout Central Florida that meet criteria for improving children’s lives. This year, the company gave $1.5 million to 59 organizations.

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More than 137 organizations, schools and groups that promote children’s well-being applied for the grants. Recipients were chosen by a 15-member committee consisting of Disney cast members, community leaders and educators.

Here are awards for arts and cultural groups:

• Orlando Ballet, $22,000 for its Scholarship Training for the Enrichment of Primary Students program, known as STEPS. Dance instruction, transportation and dance attire is provided to students who might not otherwise experience ballet.

• Osceola County Historical Society, $22,000, for its summer educational camps.

• Enzian Theater in Maitland, $20,000 dedicated to its KidFest Young Filmmakers’ Summer Camp, an educational program that provides a hands-on, immersive experience in the art of filmmaking.

• Orlando Repertory Theatre, $20,000. The Rep specializes in theater for children and kids’ theater-training programs.

• Steinway Society of Central Florida, $15,000, for its Family Piano Lesson Program, which helps children develop an interest in music.

• Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, $14,380 for its Symphonic Stories program, which provides children the chance to create and perform their own musical story.

• Orlando Museum of Art, $13,126 for its Family Art Outreach Program, which provides an outlet for self-expression and fosters an appreciation for art in families served by the Coalition for the Homeless and Women’s Residential and Counseling Center.

• Bay Street Players in Eustis, $10,000 for its Young People’s Theatre program, which introduces more than 350 children to the theater.

• Osceola Center for the Arts, $10,000. The center offers programming in theater, music and visual art.

• A Gift for Teaching/A Gift for Music, $100,000. The music program provides stringed-instrument instruction to more than 400 Orange County third-, fourth- and fifth-graders.

via Helping Kids Shine grants: Disney gives 2012 Helping Kids Shine grants – Orlando Sentinel.