CreArte Latino Helps Young People Find Their Voice Through Music

A Manatee Community Foundation grant expands a bilingual program celebrating culture, creativity and connection.

Laughter and music come together during a Youthful Harmony performance at CreArte Latino Cultural Center. Support from Manatee Community Foundation is helping the bilingual program reach more young musicians throughout Manatee County.

For many young people, music is one of the most powerful ways to connect with their cultural roots while discovering their own creative potential.

At CreArte Latino Cultural Center, that connection comes to life through "Youthful Harmony: A Fusion of Cultures Through Music," a bilingual program that celebrates cultural heritage while helping children and teens develop musical skills, confidence and a sense of belonging.

Thanks to a $12,500 grant from the Eugene F. and Elizabeth Hull Fund of Manatee Community Foundation, even more young musicians will have the opportunity to take part. The funding will help CreArte expand access to the program throughout Manatee County, giving more young people the opportunity to explore diverse musical traditions, develop artistic skills and build meaningful connections to culture and community.

Students perform on pan flutes during CreArte Latino's Youthful Harmony program, which introduces youth to multicultural and Latino/Hispanic musical traditions. The program is supported in part by Manatee Community Foundation.

“Youthful Harmony is more than a music program,” says Carolina Franco, co-founder and producing artistic director of CreArte Latino Cultural Center. “It is a space where youth can build confidence, express themselves creatively and deepen their connection to culture. This generous funding from Manatee Community Foundation will allow CreArte to expand access to music education for Manatee County youth and continue celebrating the cultural traditions that are central to the Latino/Hispanic community.”

Designed for students at varying levels of musical experience, Youthful Harmony is structured into beginner and advanced groups. Beginners meet weekly and are introduced to a variety of instruments, rhythms and musical traditions, encouraging exploration and cultural appreciation. Advanced students meet twice weekly, specializing in singing or specific instruments while developing ensemble skills and preparing for performances throughout the community.

The program incorporates an eclectic blend of multicultural and Latino/Hispanic musical traditions, combining acoustic and amplified instruments to create an engaging and accessible learning experience. Participants will perform at community events, helping strengthen connections between young musicians and the broader community.

A young percussionist finds the beat during a Youthful Harmony music class at CreArte Latino Cultural Center. Funding from Manatee Community Foundation is helping expand access to the program for local youth.

Board chair Dan DeLeo says the program reflects CreArte's commitment to serving a growing and often underserved population.

“A big thank you to Manatee Community Foundation for investing in our community’s children,” says DeLeo. “They are our future. Hispanic/Latinos represent 20 percent of Manatee County’s population, yet they are often underserved. We are grateful for this investment and for the opportunities it will create through music, culture and education.”

Founded in 2012, CreArte Latino Cultural Center serves as a creative hub for the Latino/Hispanic community in Sarasota and Manatee counties through arts, education and cultural programming. The organization offers theater productions, language classes, artistic workshops, literary programs and community events designed to celebrate Latino/Hispanic heritage while fostering cultural exchange.

To learn more, donate, or register for programs and events, visit www.creartelatino.org or follow CreArte Latino on Facebook.

About Manatee Community Foundation

Manatee Community Foundation connects the generosity of donors with the needs of the community to build a better Manatee County. For more than 25 years, the Foundation has been a trusted partner in philanthropy — bringing together individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and local leaders to address complex challenges and create lasting impact. Through strategic grantmaking, community leadership, and meaningful partnerships, Manatee Community Foundation strengthens connections and resources to help our community prosper. For more information, visit ManateeCF.org

About CreArte Latino Cultural Center

CreArte Latino Cultural Center was founded in 2012 as a creative hub for the Latino/Hispanic community in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The nonprofit organization seeks to celebrate Latino/Hispanic heritage and promote a cultural exchange through arts and education, including theater productions, book clubs, language classes, artistic workshops and collaborations with artists from the area and throughout Latin America. Visit www.creartelatino.org and CreArte Latino on FB and IG.