BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Commissioners have
given final approval for the County's fiscal year 2022 budget, which includes
more than $5 million allocated for Cultural Division grants programs. The
fiscal year 2022 budget took effect on October 1, 2021.
The total amount approved by the Commissioners increased the
previous year's funding of Broward Cultural Division's grants program by
$200,000, reflecting the Commissioners continued investment in Broward's
growing arts and culture sector. The increase in funding will enable the
Division to continue its efforts to provide essential funding to the many organizations
and artists that enrich the diverse cultural life of Broward and make it a
welcoming and accessible cultural destination.
The enhanced allocation is a result of the Division's
two-year overhaul of its grants program led by Division Director Phil Dunlap,
which included meetings and outreach with the community, and a comprehensive
survey encompassing the field in Broward. The process, which began in 2019,
resulted in a more efficient and streamlined grantmaking program that
consolidated 11 prior grant programs down to a total of four. These programs
provide general operations and program support for non-profit organizations and
municipalities and project-based support for individual artists. The fourth
program will provide capital funds for cultural facilities.
County Mayor Steve Geller stated, "Arts and culture are
critical for a healthy economy, and they are a key driver for a successful
economic recovery. This funding ensures that our arts and culture sector continues to
thrive and provide the public with enriching and enjoyable
cultural experiences in Broward."
The final allocations provide $4.4 million in operating
grants, $367,000 in program support grants, and $233,000 in artist support
grants. Delivered via three cycles each year, the artist support grant recently
awarded 17 artists with funding for their upcoming artistic projects, which
will each include a free community event. The award is designed to be flexible
and accessible to encourage career advancement through creativity, innovation,
and sustained commitment to artistic work. View and learn about the newest recipients of Broward Cultural Division's Artist Support Grant on ArtsCalendar.com.
"The Board of County Commissioners understands how important
the arts are, especially as we make our way through the pandemic," said
Cultural Division Director, Phil Dunlap. "With their support, the Cultural
Division has more capacity to grow and support more equitable access to arts
and culture in our community."
As part of the new grants program, the Division annually
invites local citizens representing a broad and diverse range of artistic and
cultural viewpoints, professions, and backgrounds to serve on panels and assist
with the evaluation of grant applications, to create a transparent and
community-driven process. The panelist application is open now through December
1, learn more or apply here.
For additional information about the Cultural Division's
grants programs and funding opportunities, visit the Division's site here.
The Broward Cultural Division advances arts and culture throughout greater Fort Lauderdale by investing in the creative sector and providing capacity building opportunities for artists, organizations and creative talent through events and activities that fuel Broward's creative infrastructure. The Cultural Division includes the county's Public Art & Design program, as well as grant programs that provide over $4.5 in annual support for Broward-based cultural organizations and artists, and engages the community in education and advocacy initiatives that support arts education at the local, state and federal levels. For more information on programs, grants, calls-to-artists and more, visit Broward.org/Arts.
October 21, 2021
CONTACT: Meredith Clements
Marketing Director, Broward Cultural Division
PHONE: 954-357-7463
EMAIL: mclements@broward.org