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Pinellas arts organizations survive DeSantis veto for 20-21
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc in every sector of American community and culture. With last week’s veto of $1 billion from Florida’s 2020-21 legislative budget, Governor Ron DeSantis underscored the necessity of directing state funds towards shoring up businesses and organizations most devastated by the virtual shutdown of society.
Where does this leave the arts? DeSantis scrubbed the entire Culture Builds Florida category, which affected several Pinellas County arts organizations that, for one technicality or another, could not apply for grants in the Department of Cultural Affairs’ more broadly-defined GPS (General Program Support) category.
DeSantis approved $13.6 million for arts and cultural affairs statewide, a reduction from the $21.2 million for 2019-20.
“We’re very pleased to see that the state has not planned further cuts to arts funding during this time of exceptional need throughout Florida,” American Stage producing artistic director Stephanie Gularte wrote in an email to the Catalyst. “While American Stage’s award amount is at approximately 30 percent of our qualified funding level, we understand that sacrifices are being made everywhere.”
Kristen Shepherd, executive director of The Museum of Fine Art St. Petersburg, said she’s pleased, but pragmatic.
“To clarify, the State has not yet directly confirmed a specific amount awarded,” Shepherd wrote Sunday in response to a query from the Catalyst. “The Museum of Fine Arts has received notification via third parties – the Florida Cultural Alliance and the Florida Association of Museums (FAM), which have been tracking the status of the budget and funding recommendations for advocacy with the legislature.
“We received their updates after the governor signed the budget last week, vetoing a little over $1 billion in funding, according to FAM. However, the MFA has not been awarded any funding as of tonight.”
Here are the Pinellas County arts and cultural grants that survived last week’s veto:
Dunedin Museum, Inc.: $12,400
American Stage Company, Inc.: $46,500
Arts Center Association, Inc.: $46,500
Academy of Ballet Arts, Inc.: $12,400
Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc.: $46,500
Salvador Dali Museum, Inc.: $46,500
Museum of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg, Florida, Inc.: $46,500
The Florida Orchestra, Inc.: $46,500
Creative Clay, Inc.: $27,900
The Studio@620, Inc.: $14,136
Great Explorations, Inc.: $46,500
Tampa Bay Symphony: $3,100
The Dunedin Fine Art Center, Inc.: $46,500
St. Petersburg Opera Company: $42,160
Clearwater Marine Aquarium: $46,500
In Touch with Communities Around the World (D/B/A Arts Conservatory For Teens): $27,900
City of Tarpon Springs: $15,500
Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation, Inc.: $46,500
Your Real Stories, Inc.: $11,780
Eight O’Clock Theatre, Inc.: $7,750
Palm Harbor Historical Society, Inc.: $3,248
FreeFall Theatre, Inc.: $46,500
Artz 4 Life Academy, Inc.: $23,250
Gulf Coast Artists’ Alliance, Inc.: $2,480
St. Petersburg Warehouse Art District, Inc.: $7,750
Keep St Pete Lit, Inc.: $4,392
Although the check hasn’t exactly arrived, Gularte knows where the state money will ultimately go.
“We will make the most of this support by working to keep our staff employed as we develop new ways to make an impact with our work,” she said. “Maintaining the integrity of our infrastructure is essential in helping to protect the future of our City of the Arts, and to prepare for the safe reemergence of live performance in our community.”
Added Shepherd: “The funds, if we receive them, will enable the MFA to continue our exhibition and collection-related programs, which connect our communities to art and the history of human expression in so many innovative ways.”