(Lake Worth/November 7, 2014):  The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County has granted tens of thousands of dollars to local non-profit arts organizations as part of its fourth annual SmARTBiz Summit, sponsored by the Cultural Council and PNC Bank.

Eleven non-profit organizations received a total of nearly $45,000 in grants, funded by a generous donation from PNC Bank, during the SmARTBiz Summit held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on October 28. The fourth annual event provided informative business, financial, fundraising, and marketing sessions, as well as dynamic speakers, including Ben Cameron, program director for the arts at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

The day-long program, which attracted close to 200 attendees representing arts organizations and businesses all over Palm Beach County, also helped guide non-profit organizations in how to improve the efficiency of their operations.

Cultural Council Director of Grants Jan Rodusky says “The organizations that received these grants are finding ways to bring art to our community, and our community to art.”

Cressman Bronson, PNC regional president for eastern Florida said, “The collaboration between SmARTBiz and the grant recipient organizations presented training opportunities that will eventually lead to concrete connections between business and the arts and the partner institutions. At PNC we understand that a vibrant arts community is a significant driver of our economic success.”

Grant recipients this year are from the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia, Lake Worth Playhouse, Lighthouse ArtCenter Museum, Gallery & School of Art, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Palm Beach Photographic Center, Palm Beach Symphony, Slow Burn Theatre Company, Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, Yesteryear Village at The South Florida Fair and Expositions.

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Event photos and IDs are available at the DropBox address below
SmARTBiz Summit 2014 photos and IDs