We are OUT.
OUT Arts & Culture educates, celebrates and inspires all who value deeper knowledge of and connection with LGBTQ+ culture.
Its outreach has been recognized by the American Library Association, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, Tampa Bay Business Journal and Watermark WAVE Awards.
Founded as the LGBTQ+ Resource Center of the Gulfport Library, OUT Arts & Culture rebranded in 2024 to better encapsulate our work as a programmatic organization, OUT Arts & Culture is Pinellas County’s only nonprofit that focuses solely on LGBTQ+ humanities programming..
We deliver on our mission & vision through four signature programs:
Art OUT
An internationally juried LGBTQ+ Art Show
Branch OUT
OUT Arts & Culture’s scholarship program which provides $2,000 towards education costs for three LGBTQ+ Pinellas County Scholars annually.
Paul Raker, Board President
Paul is a lifelong non-profit professional with over 19 years experience in non-profit operations, fundraising and board development roles. He joined OUT Arts & Culture in February of 2023. Professionally, he currently serves as Vice President of Operations and Communications for The OUT Foundation, a national LGBTQ+ nonprofit. Paul is a North Carolina native and a graduate of Greensboro College (NC) with a degree in English and Communications Studies. He spent six years in Washington, DC as an Executive with the YMCA before moving to Florida in January of 2021 to become an Executive Director with the YMCA of Southwest Florida.
Paul joined OUT Arts & Culture out of a desire to strengthen the LGBTQ+ community in Pinellas County and be on the front lines of a battle for inclusion of our community and to raise awareness around the vibrant creativity that we bring to arts, literature and humanities. His goals for his term as president include increased brand recognition for the organization, programmatic growth and increased fundraising. Paul resides in St Petersburg with his partner Jay and their fur baby, a Jack Russel Terrier named Nile.
Board Members:
Vice President, Illena Elevitch she/her
Treasurer, Pete Rintye he/him
Secretary, Sally Otto she/her
Kathy Houston she/her
Past President, Susan Gore she/they
Founders:
Patty Callahan ● Molly Ellowis ● Susan Gore
Daniel Hodge ● Phyllis Plotnick ● Gerald Notaro
Alison Solomon ● Greg Stemm ● Bill Ward
Donate
Donate
OUT Arts & Culture is an all volunteer-led organization that celebrates, educates and inspires through LGBTQ+ focused arts and humanities programming. Your donation will allow us to continue to deliver on a vision that centers and uplifts our community and keep our programming accessible for all. Every gift is a meaningful one.
