It looks like even more art organizations are mobilizing for the County’s budget battle – this time it’s The Wolfsonian–Florida International University putting out the call…
Dear Members and Friends,
We all recognize the arduous task before the County Commission in balancing next year’s budget and understand that the recommendation proposed by Mayor Alvarez to severely cut cultural funding was neither frivolous nor directed to one institution.
However, we have all worked so hard over the past two decades to build a vibrant cultural community that reflects the creativity, innovation, and generosity of our community. The arts have demonstrated their impact on quality of life, education, the economy, and job market, not to mention that almost all of the good news that comes out of Miami-Dade County is related to cultural organizations and arts events.
The severe reduction of County support of the arts will impact every cultural institution and the community it serves. It will result in the reduction of staff and seriously curtail most public, educational programs—exacerbating an already dire economic situation. Furthermore, the economic multiplier of this loss of funding is immeasurable, affecting numerous local businesses, service providers, and countless individuals. No one would argue that Art Basel and Design Miami, among other major conferences and events, have chosen to come to Miami, in part, because of its dynamic cultural scene.
If you have a strong opinion about the County budget, we urge you to attend the upcoming budget hearings and state your concerns. Meetings will take place at 6pm. Please click on the link below for the schedule of meetings and directions: http://www.miamidade.gov/budget/budget_public_meetings.asp
Alternatively, if you are unable to attend a meeting, you may write members of the Miami-Dade County Commission to express your opinions or concerns.
For updates and information on other ways in which you can help, including contact information for each of the County Commissioners, visit http://artsactionalliance.wordpress.com/
