The Wolfsonian in Miami Beach recently issued this well-deserved thank you to its friends and supporters…
“On behalf of The Wolfsonian–FIU Board and staff, we thank you, our loyal followers, and the entire cultural community, especially Miami–Dade Cultural Affairs Council Chairman Adolfo Henriques and his colleagues on the Council, for your passion, commitment, and leadership that resulted in restoring significant funding not only for the arts but also for the social service sector.
Below please find a letter from Michael Spring, director of the Miami–Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, explaining the results of the budget hearings. While details are still being worked out as to how the cultural money will be allocated, the Board of County Commissioners restored a total of approximately $8.65 million—or 70%—to the Department of Cultural Affairs.
We are now asking that you please take the time to thank the County Commissioners for understanding the important role that cultural organizations plays in our community, especially with respect to our regional economy and quality of life.
The Wolfsonian–FIU
Following is a letter released by Michael Spring, Director of the Miami–Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs:”
Dear Colleagues,
The 2nd and final County Budget Hearing concluded at approximately 5 am this morning. With input from the Mayor and County Manager, the Board of County Commissioners restored a total of approximately $8.65 million to the Department’s FY2009-2010 grants budget.
With the County Commission’s actions just hours ago, we will need time to sort out how the restoration of these funds affects each of our grant programs and individual organizations’ grants. As soon as we have more specific information about these grant awards for the coming year, we promise to be back in touch with you.
Cultural Affairs Councilors Adolfo Henriques, Xavier Cortada, Jorge Luis Lopez and Dwayne Wynn were present during the evening and all stayed until the end of the meeting. Chair Adolfo Henriques addressed the County Commission just before midnight and urged that the funding for our Department’s grants programs be restored fully.
Throughout the evening, the County Commission heard impassioned testimony and saw support from dozens of diverse representatives of our cultural community. Artists, administrators, civic leaders, children and parents spoke with deep conviction about the way the arts change lives and improve our community. At the hearing, the performance by the kids of the Greater Miami Youth Symphony and Roxy Theater Group was both moving and powerfully effective.
I am proud of the dedication and tireless efforts of our entire Cultural Affairs Council, the extraordinarily diverse and supportive voices of our artists, board leaders and fellow arts administrators—and day in and day out, the indefatigable commitment and hard work of our staff. This remarkable community of people re-energizes us about the job ahead and provides us with renewed hope for the future of our young and vibrant cultural life.
Chairman Adolfo Henriques wanted me to let you know that all of our County officials—County Commission Chair Dennis Moss, every member of the County Commission, Mayor Alvarez and County Manager George Burgess—affirmed their strong support of the enormous impact that your work is having on our community.
We look forward to the beginning of a new and productive year together.
Michael
