Our Story
In 2018, we noticed many artists, makers, and musicians were traveling and moving to other cities to share their work, live, and open brick and mortar for their businesses.
Their stories covered different contributing factors: Price/lack of affordable commercial real estate, lack of accessible arts events/festivals, limited or non-existent stages and places for independent bands to perform, and a lack of connection and collaboration in the art community.
As artists and musicians also feeling the tension, we began our mission to advocate and create opportunities for artists.
Our Mission
Friendly City Foundation exists to provide mentoring, opportunity, resources, and education to Artists, Musicians, and Creative entrepreneurs in Bradenton/Sarasota Florida.
Our Vision
Friendly City Foundation’s Vision is to foster connection, commerce, and community in our area by building paths for a thriving arts world.
Our Pillars
Through the Friendly City Foundations mission of providing mentoring, opportunities,
resources, and education we hold to these pillars.
Mentor
Every artist should have a mentor and be a mentor to someone else. A rising tide lifts all ships. We ask the question: Who are you mentoring? Who is mentoring you?
Launch
Through innovation and mastering our crafts we believe in launching ideas into reality without fear of failure.
Create
We believe in the power of creating the world we want to see. This happens through art making, placemaking, and community building.