Gulliver is proud to announce a $1 million gift from Franz Buerstedde and Brittany Peltz Buerstedde P ‘33, ‘35, ‘38, ‘40 in support of The Next 100: The Centennial Campaign for Gulliver. We celebrate the Buerstedde family’s commitment through the naming of the Buerstedde Family Drama Black Box Theater in our new Arts + Innovation Center on the Upper School Campus.
Their remarkable generosity represents a significant early investment in Gulliver’s strategic priorities and underscores our dedication to arts education. With over 70% of students participating each year in our award-winning programs in Dance, Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts, Gulliver is dedicated to providing life-changing experiences and a well-rounded education that empowers students to be creative and discover their artistic passions.
Drawn by Gulliver’s diverse offerings, a strong sense of belonging, and commitment to nurturing every student’s passion, the Buerstedde family knew Gulliver was the right fit for their family. With four children ranging from Primary to Middle School, they quickly experienced the impact of Gulliver’s values as a community that celebrates individuality and discovery.
“Supporting the arts is truly central to our family’s values. We could not be more grateful for the opportunity to give back to this incredible community that so quickly has felt like home,” shared the Buersteddes. “Our family is excited to partner with Gulliver in providing more opportunities for every student to reach their full potential as artists and innovators.”
Set to break ground in the winter of 2026, the Arts + Innovation Center will serve as a creative hub for students across grade levels and divisions, from both the Upper School Campus and Marian C. Krutulis PK-8 Campus. Merging the arts, technology, and innovation under one roof, the facility will add over 57,000 square feet of best-in-class learning, practice areas, and makers’ spaces that reflect the excellence of Gulliver’s world-class education.
The Arts + Innovation Center, and a new STEM Commons adjacent to it, are mission-aligned facilities that are essential resources for transformative teaching, learning, and community impact that will lead us into the next century. Learn more.
The Buerstedde gift marks an important step toward Gulliver’s ambitions to become South Florida’s premier STEAM school and a national leader in future-ready education. Supported by the generosity of the Buerstedde family and our dedicated Raider community, we are turning this bold vision into a reality. Every gift, of every size, accelerates our mission to shape the next century of impact, empowering students to lead with purpose, confidence, and courage.
To learn more about making a gift to Gulliver and The Next 100, please contact Shivani Joshi P ‘35, Chief Advancement Officer, at at [email protected].
