The Cultural Development Fund: Small and Emerging Organizations, which has been funded every year since 1999, was returned to the county budget after six months of advocacy efforts.

“We’re pleased that the county commissioners recognize the value of this investment in art and culture,” says Bill Nix, Vice President Marketing and Government Affairs for the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. “Community support for this program is tremendous and the vocal support from the business and cultural communities really helped shed light on this fund’s importance.”

County commissioners approved the new budget on September 21. The program will be funded with $262,000 in the next fiscal year, which starts October 1. That amount is down 18.75 % from this year’s $320,000 and is 35% less than $400,000 the fund received in 2008. Similar funding was reduced 10% on average for Financially Assisted Agencies next year.

The cultural development fund for small organizations is administered by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, and has provided funds to 35-44 organizations for each of the last ten years. Most of these organizations serve children and minority populations throughout Palm Beach County. The fund is an important part of community revitalization, tourism, employment and education for all ages. This program also provides funding that sponsors constructive outlets that deter crime and gang activity among youth.

In addition to serving many areas of the public, funding for the arts helps stabilize the local economy and cultural industry. An Americans for the Arts Study conducted in 2007 revealed that for every $1 of government investment, $7 are generated in the local economy. Last year, the 44 grantees in the program supported 300 jobs, generated a $2.25 million local economic impact, had combined budgets of $19 million and served over 378,000 people.

For additional information, please contact:

Larry Boytano
Public Relations Coordinator
Palm Beach County Cultural Council
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 300
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tel. (561) 471-1601
Fax (561) 687-9484
lboytano@palmbeachculture.com
www.palmbeachculture.com