Broward County receives $260,000 to Restore State Cultural Funding
The 2012-2013 Florida budget has been signed into law by the Governor, providing $8.4 million ($5 million Cultural and Museum Grants and $3.4 million in capital cultural facilities) for the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. The budget has been in steady decline from its 2006-2007 appropriation of $34.4 million. For 17 cultural organizations in Broward County, this has translated into a welcome restoration from $147,000 this year to $407,000 for the year beginning July 1, 2012.
The restored funds may be linked to a recent National Governors Association Report, that strategizes how arts, culture and design assist states with economic growth, as they touch the economy at crucial leverage points including innovation, entrepreneurship, employment and revitalization. It also sites that arts and culture and design strategy, coupled with other methods can provide states with a competitive edge in five important ways: 1. Provide a fast-growth, dynamic industry cluster; 2. Help mature industries become more competitive; 3. Provide the critical ingredients for innovative places; 4. Catalyze community revitalization; and 5. Deliver a better-prepared workforce.
The 17 Broward County cultural organizations impacted by the restoration of funds are:
- Young At Art Museum
- Museum of Discovery and Science
- Symphony of the Americas
- Museum of Art │Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University
- Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
- Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
- Broward County Film Society
- Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre
- All Florida Youth Orchestra
- Fort Lauderdale Historical Society
- Mosaic Theatre
- Old Davie School Historical Museum
- The Stranahan House
- Stonewall Library & Archives
- Broward County Cultural Division
- Performing Arts Center Authority
These 17 organizations represent a large section of the not- for-profit creative industries in Broward County. The creative industries are comprised of for profit and nonprofit businesses that create or distribute the arts, including: museums and collections; performing arts; visual arts/photography; film, radio and TV; design and publishing; arts schools and services. These arts-centric businesses play an important role in building and sustaining economic vibrancy: they employ people, purchase goods and services locally, generate government revenue and are a cornerstone of tourism. Arts and culture nourishes the human spirit and contributes to the quality of life in our community.
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