Cultural Alliance asks for public support to keep doors open

Just over a month ago, Governor DeSantis vetoed all arts and culture funds for the current State of Florida fiscal year – July 2024 to June 2025 – which makes up approximately 12% of the annual budget for the Cultural Alliance for the Arts, leaving the agency in desperate need of public support even more than before. In less than a month, since the governor’s decision, the Board of County Commissioners proposed removing the arts and culture fund from the County budget. If this change is made in the budget and the Alliance does not get help, it will be forced to close its doors.

How can you help?

  1. Voice your support in a letter addressed to the St. Lucie County Board of Commissioners.
  2. Most importantly, show your support in person by joining the team at the first decision-making budget hearing on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 6 pm, in the Commission Chambers at 2300 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce. Sharing the impact of the arts and the Alliance’s work in our community is the most important way we can advocate for continued funding.
  3. Please consider donating to our cause at https://artstlucie.org/donate. Your tax-deductible contributions will make a tangible difference in preserving the cultural fabric of St. Lucie. Seeing community support through an increase in donations shows the Commission that the Alliance is valued and filling an important role in our community.

Why should you help?

For the past four years, the organization has received $150,000 from St. Lucie County annually; about 45% of its current budget. The fund is intended to provide capital to help the Alliance establish sustainability and amplify arts and cultural services that improve the quality of life in St. Lucie. The Alliance, a small non-profit organization with only three committed employees has highly maximized return on the County’s investment (ROI) through the following programs, events, and activities.

County collaborations:

  • Transit Department public art display on buses – the Alliance conducted the “call to artists” and a selection process to provide recommendations to the County
  • Oxbow Eco-Center bi-annual exhibition – curated an art show at the County venue where art and nature come together to celebrate the beauty of the St. Lucie River, its wildlife, and vegetation.
  • Art Conserves the Environment (ACE) and Recycled Art Program (RAP) at Oxbow Eco-Center and White City Elementary School – administered grants for educational initiatives such as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) and recycled art projects in collaboration with the St. Lucie School District and the Education Foundation
  • Host the closing day of the County’s Citizen’s Academy – welcome participating citizens with a tour of The Vault Gallery and educate them about free arts activities in St. Lucie to improve their quality of life, and funded in part by our County.
  • Celebrate Us Exhibition – curate bi-annual art shows at the County Administration building
  • Black History Month Exhibition – curate annual exhibitions that celebrate the history, culture, and contribution of African Americans at the Havert L. Fenn Center
  • St. Lucie Courthouse Justice Exhibition – curate annual art shows at the County courthouse to uplift visitors and enliven the space
  • St. Lucie County Parks Collaboration with the City of Fort Pierce – the Alliance wins the Levitt AMP Fort Pierce Concert Series grant – 10 free live, outdoor music concerts a year for three years

County-wide and beyond:

  • 20+ free community events for residents and visitors alike, including concerts and exhibition openings
  • Create a landmark for tourists with the must-see The Vault Gallery on the lower level of a historic 1920s bank building in Downtown Fort Pierce. The Vault Gallery carries and sells a collection of art from over 200 local artists throughout the year, which directly supports the success of local artists
  • Art Walk every third Friday brings out a large group of art enthusiasts that help boost business in the area
  • Foster partnerships that support local businesses and boost our local economy.
    • Participate in the Downtown Fort Pierce Business Association Halloween Annual Spooktacular Trick or Treat event
    • Represent St. Lucie County’s art sector at the City of Port St. Lucie’s annual PSLinLights Party and International Festival
    • Publish a bi-annual magazine in partnership with Martin Arts
    • Present joint exhibitions with Treasure Coast Pottery
    • Host art classes in partnership with Inner Voices, Outer Vision
    • Promote and support the City of Fort Pierce and the City of Port St. Lucie’s recreational activities
    • Partner with Main Street Fort Pierce, Lincoln Park Main Street, and the Treasure Coast International Film Festival to present free concerts

Not everything the Cultural Alliance contributes to the community can be quantified. The qualitative value of the service offered to local artists and the enhancement of quality of life is priceless.

More reasons to keep arts and culture alive in St. Lucie – financial investment and return on investment (ROI):

  • The estimated County total budget for the upcoming year is $850 million, which means the $150,000 ask is less than 0.02% of the total budget
  • St. Lucie County’s expected population for the upcoming year is 403,000, which means less than $0.40 per person to the Cultural Alliance will go towards amplifying arts and culture in the County for a whole year
  • Based on the results of a recently-conducted economic study, the impact of arts and culture in St. Lucie County includes:
    • $25 million in total sales
    • $11 million added to GDP
    • 324 full-time and part-time jobs
  • The Alliance is under a new administration, which has cut the previous year’s deficit by 85% in just one year

The Alliance’s new administration has faced many challenges to advance the organization’s fiscal stability, while executing a wide variety of programs and satisfying grants initiated by the previous administration. We only need $0.40 per capita to continue serving our communities.

The arts are not just a luxury; they are a vital part of our society. They nurture creativity, foster community, and enrich our lives. Let’s ensure that art and culture, the heartbeat of St. Lucie County, are given the importance they deserve in our budgetary considerations by joining at the first final decision-making budget hearing on September 5, 2024, at 6 pm, in the Commission Chambers at 2300 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce, and respectfully advocate to retain the allotted $150,000 arts and culture fund to the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance in the county budget.

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