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Pinellas arts organizations survive DeSantis veto for 20-21

Bill DeYoung

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"The Roommate" at American Stage, 2019. Photo by Beth Reynolds

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.”

 

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