The Palm Beach County Cultural Council’s Board of Directors approved $2.4 million in award recommendations on May 29 for its 2009 Cultural Tourism Development Fund: Major Institutions. This grant program is funded by a portion of the county tourist development tax and is open to cultural organizations with annual operating budgets over $1,125,000. The fund supports major Palm Beach County nonprofit art and cultural organizations presenting programs of excellence that attract and satisfy visitors to Palm Beach County.

Recommendations for fiscal year 2009
Cultural Tourism Development Fund: Major Institutions (Category B)

FY09 Applicants Recommendations
Armory Art Center $93,154
Ballet Florida $94,626
Boca Raton Historical Society $53,918
Boca Raton Museum of Art $135,954
Caldwell Theatre Company $97,071
FAU College of Arts and Letters $75,979
Florida Stage $128,078
Henry Morrison Flagler Museum $146,010
Kravis Center $179,742
Loggerhead Marinelife Center $58,243
Maltz Jupiter Theater $123,002
Morikami Museum $144,146
Norton Museum of Art $182,037
Old School Square $95,099
Palm Beach Opera $80,000
Palm Beach Photographic Centre $119,068
Palm Beach Pops $117,250
Palm Beach Zoo $161,012
PB International Film Festival $54,274
South Florida Science Museum $130,669
SunFest of Palm Beach County $130,669
TOTAL $2,400,000

Recommendations for fiscal year 2009 awards to Major Institutions are based on a grant panel’s recommendation made last year because this grant program operates on a two-year cycle.

The amount of dollars that an organization can request is tied to its annual operating budget.

The funding levels are:
•Organizations with operating revenues under $2 million, request 10% of operating revenues.
•Organizations with operating revenues between $2,000,001 and 3 million, request $200,000.
•Organizations with operating revenues between $3,000,001 and 5 million, request $250,000.
•Organizations with operating revenues above $5 million request $300,000.

These grantees create an estimated $226 million economic impact ("influence of culture" dollars) annually on Palm Beach County, according the grantee fiscal year 2007 Standardized Audience Survey.

The Panel’s recommendations will be presented for approval to the Tourist Development Council’s Board and the Board of County Commissioners this summer.

For more information please contact:

Larry Boytano
Public Relations Coordinator
Tel. (561) 471-1601
lboytano@palmbeachculture.com