Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts, Inc

Our Mission: INConcert is committed to cultural enrichment, raising awareness of the musical arts and providing support for student creative development. Only with your help can we achieve our mission to share the enjoyment of music throughout the Franklin County Bay Area on Florida's Forgotten Coast: Apalachicola, Alligator Point, Carrabelle, St. George Island, Franklin County, Port St. Joe.

In the summer of 1985, a Trinity Episcopal Church choir member, Ilse Newell, donated $250 to purchase music for the Church’s choir. Before the money could be spent, Ilse passed away. At her death, this $250 along with $10,000 from an anonymous donor, was used to begin the Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts in her memory.

Eugenia and Bedford Watkins, began in earnest to organize a winter concert series consisting of 9 programs. They contacted the artists, scheduled performances, handled the publicity, design and production of each program. The concept was to offer an affordable musical arts series for locals and visitors.

They produced a successful concert series until 2011. They left a legacy for which we will always be grateful. Thus, we are inspired and honored to carry on the Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts INConcert Series.

The first performances were by the FSU Baroque Quartet, Florida Arts Quintet, New Orleans Creole Dixieland Band and the Diamond Brass Quintet – all arranged through the FSU School of Music.

Today, with a similar wide variety of musical performances, the concert series continues to provide artistic expression and musical performances for Bay Area residents, students and visitors.

With your help, we will bring a new dedication and energy to our community asset: The Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts.

For over 35 years, the INConcert series has been producing musical events featuring both instrumental and vocal programs. Throughout the year we will work to create broad community awareness of and participation in our various programs with both professional and talented local performers.

We will continue our winning relationship with the FSU Department of Music to bring guest musicians and performing artists into our community. Also, The Ilse Newell Fund will work with local educational leaders to support deserving students with musical interests.

The Bay Area Choral Society, an integral part of the Ilse Newell tradition, will bring together voices from across “the forgotten coast”. This year they will reach out to more individuals who wish to participate in choral music, including students. We will have more people singing this year than ever before.

A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization—Support the Ilse Newell Fund by visiting our website.

Supported in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and related federal and state laws and regulations forbid discrimination against those who have disabilities. Furthermore, these laws require federal aid recipients and other government entities to take affirmative steps to reasonably accommodate the disabled and ensure that their needs are equitably represented in programs, services and activities. The IIse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts, Inc. - INCONCERT will make every effort to ensure that its facilities, programs, services and activities are accessible to those with disabilities.