Arts Advocacy

Washington D.C., Tallahassee and Palm Beach County—the Cultural Council advocates for the arts at all levels of government. Considered globally as an economic driver, the cultural sector attracts talent and investment, builds international reputation and catalyzes innovation across all sectors of the economy.

Arts Advocacy News

Governor signs off on increased grants for culture and historic preservation

Palm Beach Daily News

Posted: June 24, 2019

Most state cultural and historic preservation grants survived Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto pen in the nearly $91 billion budget he signed on Friday. Cultural grants that passed the Division of Cultural Affairs screening process will receive about $21.25 million in 2019-20. That’s a significant bump from the $2.65 million allocated last budget year. Historic preservation grants approved by the Division of Historical Resources will get about $7.2 million. That’s up from $4.5 million last year.

“This is the result of a lot of hard work on the part of cultural advocates, board members, donors and staff people,” said Dave Lawrence, president and chief executive officer of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. “This kind of increase doesn’t come easily.”

Forbes.com

Posted: June 5, 2019

The economic impact of the arts is well documented. According to a report, the growth in arts and cultural economic activity made up 4.3% of the U.S. gross domestic product for 2016. That equates to more than $804 billion in economic activity for that year alone. There are many reasons why promoting local arts and cultural nonprofits can help to improve communities. Promoting the arts can also positively impact the bottom line for companies that support these organizations. Read more »

Cultural and historic preservation groups might see state grants go up next year

Photo from PBDN courtesy of The Weitz Company

Palm Beach Daily News

Posted: May 14, 2019

Cultural and historic preservation groups fared much better in the $91.1 billion budget state legislators approved May 4 than they did last year.

If approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis, cultural organizations will receive about $21.35 million for grants recommended by the state Division of Cultural Affairs. That’s up from the $2.65 million allocated last budget year.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

Posted: February 22, 2019

The Division of Cultural Affairs is advancing a recommendation to fund $62 million ($61,660,924) in the General Program Support matching grant program to 666 organizations from across the state. There are 52 PBC-based organizations vying for $6.3 million ($6,347,740), just over 10% in four areas: Cultural Endowment, Cultural Facilities, General Program Support and Specific Project Support.

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County recommends full funding of all projects.

Americans for the Arts

Posted: February 18, 2019

The National Arts Action Summit is a multi-day event bringing together arts advocates from across the country. Attendees will learn the latest research and legislative arts priorities from the experts in a full day training on March 4, 2019. That evening, The Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is sure to inspire and motivate advocates. The following day, March 5, is Arts Advocacy Day when advocates take their passion, knowledge, and stories to Capitol Hill for meetings with their congressional leaders. Read more »

Palm Beach County Day 2019

Palm Beach County

Posted: February 12, 2019

Holding Palm Beach County Day at the beginning of the legislative session is an excellent opportunity to keep Palm Beach County’s legislative priorities in front of lawmakers all session long.

Palm Beach County Day 2019 takes place on March 5-6, 2019 in Tallahassee. We hope you will continue to make this event a priority as we all work for the greater good of the residents of Palm Beach County.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

Posted: January 17, 2019

State: The Division of Cultural Affairs is advancing a recommendation to fund $62 million ($61,660,924) in the General Program Support matching grant program to 666 organizations from across the state. There are 52 PBC-based organizations vying for $6.3 million ($6,347,740), just over 10% in four areas: Cultural Endowment, Cultural Facilities, General Program Support and Specific Project Support. The Cultural Council (and Cultural Coalition) recommends full funding of all projects.

Local: The Cultural Council is advocating for $100,000 in additional funding for the C1 grant program in an effort to restore funding to $400,000 level (currently $250,000).

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

Posted: January 10, 2019

There can be no doubt that arts education has a significant impact on a student’s life in Palm Beach County. From their first drawing in art class to their final bow in a play, each student’s success both in and out of school is affected by their involvement with the arts.

The information on this pamphlet comes from the 2018 Palm Beach County Arts and Cultural Education study, conducted by Surale Phillips of Decision Support Partners and commissioned by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. Forty-seven Palm Beach County nonprofit cultural organizations were included in the survey that collected PreK-12 education activities during the 2016-2017 school year.

TAKE ACTION

Arts-friendly policies and funding need consistent support and the Council fights on the front lines to educate elected officials on the economic and quality-of-life benefits of the arts.

The Council can’t tackle these issues alone. Advocacy earns results by participation and strong voices from constituents. That’s you!

It takes two minutes to contact your representative with the simple facts stated here. Please use the links below to do just that.

• Palm Beach County Commissioners
• Palm Beach County Senators and Representatives (PDF – 2019)
• Florida Senators and Representatives
• Find Your Legislators

Cultural Advocacy Alliance

The purpose of the Palm Beach County Cultural Advocacy Alliance is to gather together the leaders of cultural organizations and the creative sector in Palm Beach County, with purpose, to discuss and act upon issues, projects, campaigns and initiatives of mutual benefit to the respective cultural organizations and to the people who live in and visit Palm Beach County.

This committee is an extension of the Cultural Council’s advocacy work – an integral part of a local arts service agency’s mission – and also includes Council board members and representatives from other advocacy partners from around the county.

This collaborative work will ensure that the arts and culture sector is relevant to the community, its leaders and its citizens, a fact that will be evident because culture will be included in long range plans, funding plans, and important community decisions.

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