The Florida Division of Cultural Affairs asked us to help them spread the word about their new communications policy. Please read below for further information.

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Greetings from the Division of Cultural Affairs! I am writing today in hopes of reaching more members of your organization via email. We make important Division announcements available in several ways: through press releases and news items on the Division Web site, via email through the Patron Mail service, and through our program managers. We know this is an effective way to reach some staff members in your organization, and I hope that you will help us share more information with more people by forwarding this message to your colleagues within your organization.
As we continue to increase our communication through e-blasts and electronic newsletters, I hope you will encourage others to join the Division’s electronic mailing list for news, information, webinar announcements, and more. I am also working to have more conversation on the Division’s Facebook page. I hope you’ll become a fan and join the conversation there. You might also find our news feed helpful.
Please contact me if you have questions about the Division’s information services. I am always glad to help!
Very best regards,
Jennifer Hoesing
Public Information Specialist
Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
850.245.6462
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Okay, wall of text warning: this is going to be a really long post. As you hopefully know, the county commission is meeing on September 17th to finalize the FY 2009-2010 budget. They proposed cutting a massive chunk out of the arts funding. Anyone in the arts knows that this is not only needed for the cultural health of our city, but is also an economic driver. Arts and Culture bring people to the city and get people out and involved in the economy.

Over the past day or so, we have received numerous emails from various organizations talking about this issue. As part of our service to the community, we post as many of these as we can, to expand their reach. However, instead of posting each one individually, I am just going to post them all at once in this post.

Most importantly, contact your commissioner! We have a convenient list HERE, with a link to a site that helps you figure out who your commissioner is.

And remember the commission meeting:
Thursday, September 17, 2009
County Commission hearing to finalize FY2009-2010 budget
5:01p.m.
County Commission Chamber (111 NW 1st Street, 2nd Floor)

Please note, these are presented in no particular order, just as I came to them in my email.
Thank you very much for all your support.
James Echols
co-founder
Life Is Art, Inc.

Now, on to the letters:

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MIAMI SCIENCE MUSEUM
Dear MiaSci Young Patron -

The testimony, at the first County Budget hearing, from representatives of more than 20 cultural organizations, ranging from major cultural institutions to small neighborhood groups and artists, reflected the fortitude, passion and vision that have come to define our cultural industry.

During the subsequent discussion among County Commissioners, several Commissioners expressed support for program restorations in various areas of the budget, including our Department’s budget. Ultimately, a majority of the County Commission voted to set the operating millage at a flat rate; overall, this will result in approximately $17 million less in revenue than what was proposed by Mayor Alvarez.

Mayor Alvarez and the County Manager commented that it would be very difficult to achieve the various budget restorations discussed given that the County Commission voted on a millage rate that is even lower than that recommended by the Mayor. The Mayor and County Manager also committed to working cooperatively with the Commission to find solutions wherever possible.

So from now until September 17th, it is extremely important that we help sway the final budgetary decision. We ask that you CALL your commissioners! If you can’t get them on the phone, ask to speak to their chief of staff or leave a voice message – just make sure to mention that you are calling on behalf of the Miami Science Museum. Mentioning our Museum is of utmost importance!

If you’re still not sure who your commissioner is or what district you belong to, follow this link http://gisims2.miamidade.gov/CServices/CSMap.asp

Also, remember that you are welcome to attend the final meeting where the budget will be finalized. Remember to wear your MiaSci buttons! Buttons will also be available in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clarke building prior to the meeting (where the County Commission Chamber is situated).

Thursday, September 17, 2009
County Commission hearing to finalize FY2009-2010 budget
5:01p.m.
County Commission Chamber (111 NW 1st Street, 2nd Floor)

For additional information on the issue, please visit www.miamisci.org/www/call-to-action.html, reply to this e-mail or call 305-646-4209.

Thanks in advance for your help and support.

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HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN FLORIDA
Dear Friends:

Our 13 elected members of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners will hold a second and final public Budget Hearing on Thursday, September 17th. This means the next four days are crucial in the restoration of funds for cultural organizations, including the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

There is still time to demonstrate the importance of local institutions and how critical they are in the recovery of our tourism-based economy. Please continue to call, write or send emails to the 13 Commissioners, urging them:

1. To adopt an investment budget that moves our local community toward recovery by supporting the retention of jobs and services that are a vital part of our local economy.

2. To support culture, which has positive economic impact and is essential to the quality of life for local citizens and visitors in our community.

3. To support the Historical Museum of Southern Florida and the other museums in Miami-Dade County.

Please help us communicate this message to all 13 Commissioners. We have attached a sample letter that you could mail or email. Copies of the letter are also available at the museum’s kiosk.

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THE WOLFSONIAN-FIU
CALL TO ACTION FROM THE WOLFSONIAN–FIU

Dear Members and Friends,

The second and final Miami-Dade County public Budget Hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, September 17th and your personal messages to the County Commission about the value of support to cultural organizations is critical. Presently, if no positive action is taken, there will be “zero” dollars in the County budget for social service and cultural organizations.

We all recognize the arduous task before the County Commission; 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 hearing and state your concerns.

Alternatively, if you are unable to attend the meeting, you may write members of the Miami-Dade County Commission to express your opinions or concerns. Visit http://artsactionalliance.wordpress.com/elected-officials/ for a list of Miami-Dade County Commissioners. Your individual letters about your personal experiences are more valuable than a form letter.

Thank you,
The Wolfsonian–Florida International University

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MIAMI LIGHT PROJECT
Dear James,

Below is a letter that we received from Adolfo Henriques, the chair of the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council, urging us to continue fighting and contacting our commissioners to ask them to support arts funding.

Please take a moment to read Adpolfo’s letter and once again contact your commissioner, asking them to pledge their support for arts in Miami-Dade County.

Thank you for your continued support of Miami Light Project and the arts,
the Miami Light Project staff
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Also received from FUNDARTE

We need your help again.
Dear Cultural and Community Leaders,

We need your help again. The second and final Miami-Dade County public Budget Hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, September 17th and we must redouble our efforts. What we do in the next four days is crucial for the restoration of “zeroed out” grants support to more than 400 cultural organizations from the Department of Cultural Affairs.

I am encouraged that a number of County Commissioners have heard our message and have responded with expressions of support for the arts. So, it is very important that we remain visible and that our central message to elected officials remains positive:

“Thank you for recognizing that the arts are critical for the economy and return enormous benefits to our community. We are counting on you to restore the County’s cultural arts budget.”

As Chair of the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Council, I am urging you again to take each of these following important actions now to help save the County’s cultural arts budget:
WRITE Send e-mails, faxes and letters to every County Commissioner, the Mayor and the County Manager, personalizing the positive message stated above.
CALL Call every key County official and emphasize specifically the central message above (County contact list attached).
TESTIFY Attend and speak at the upcoming County Commission Budget Hearing where the County’s budget will be finalized for the coming year. The Budget Hearing is being held at 5:01 pm on Thursday, September 17 in the County Commission Chamber, 111 N.W. 1st Street, 2nd Floor. Crowds are expected so get there early and be prepared to wait to make your case; you will have two minutes to speak. It is critically important that we are present – in force – at this meeting and that we positively reinforce the County Commission’s support for restoring the arts budget.
At the 1st Budget Hearing, we had an incredibly diverse array of citizens address the County Commission – ranging from volunteers and artists to kids and parents whose lives have been changed by the arts. This is what counts: people from all walks of life who believe deeply that the arts are a priority.

I want to thank you for all that you have done so far. Your letters, calls, e-mails and appearance at the 1st County budget hearing have helped enormously to keep our chances alive. Your passionate and articulate stories about the importance of County funding support continue to be the most compelling testimony.

Please forward this message to as many people as possible.

Time is short and the stakes remain high. Please know that your voice can make the difference this week. Thank you for your help.

Adolfo Henriques
Chair
Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council

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BASS MUSEUM OF ART
Dear Friends,

Alternatives to the currently proposed 2009-2010 County budget are currently being determined by 13 members of the Board of County Commissioners, which will greatly impact the quality of life for local citizens and visitors in our community. Cultural organizations, including the Bass Museum of Art are in danger. We need your help to get the message out.

You can help today by urging them to support culture and protect the jobs, quality of life for local citizens and visitors in our community.

Please use the sample letter below and send e-mails to each of the 13 Commissioners and the Mayor:

Dear County Board Commissioners,I am writing to urge you to support the full restoration of funding for the Department of Cultural Affairs’ grants programs. I know that you have tough choices to make about next year’s budget but please know that the arts are part of the solution for re-energizing our economy and making our community great. Here are a few important facts:

- Every dollar of County arts support leverages $27 dollars of other funds.
– Arts organizations generate a billion dollars in local economic impact annually.
– 12 million people attend arts events every year.
– Other businesses depend on the arts. People who attend arts events spend more than a half a billion dollars, parking their cars, eating in local restaurants and shopping.
– Cultural activities provide more than 2 million experiences every year to the children of our county.
– Our community’s outstanding arts activities are giving Miami-Dade a worldwide competitive edge in attracting tourism and business.
Those are the economic facts. I also want to tell you about how important County support for the arts is to the community. Cultural organizations are critical to the lives of our community’s families and kids; it benefits the community in their intellectual, personal, and social development. The arts are essential to an understanding of personal, local, national and global cultures, past and present. The importance of the arts in society is undeniable, it communicates across all cultures, tells the stories of the past and present, and inspire minds, both young and old, to do beautiful things. It is through the County support for the arts that art organizations receive funds to create, organize and offer different cultural events; exhibitions, performances, and educational programs, all to serve the community and tourism. Without County support, the stability and survival of Miami-Dade’s non-profit cultural industry is seriously jeopardized. Many of these groups will not be able to sustain their operations without the County’s investment.
What you do now will have an effect on the entire course of our economy and our community. I am counting on your support for maintaining funding for the County’s investments in the arts.

Thank you for your help.

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FROST ART MUSEUM
Greetings!

As you may be aware, news of the Mayor’s proposed budget was announced and the vote has been postponed. The current proposal calls for the elimination of nearly all funding for the arts and cultural organizations across the board and county which are currently funded through the Department of Cultural Affairs. We are writing to invite you to support the full restoration of funding for the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs’ grants program.

The currently proposed county budget eliminates the $11.168 million of general fund support to the cultural grants program. These grants support over 400 non- profit cultural organizations. Without the support of Miami-Dade County, the non-profit cultural industry will be put at risk. Cutting these funds will have a devastating, ripple effect across the various cultural organizations and other funding sources that the County’s support helps to generate.
The arts generate over 1 billion dollars each year and employ 22,000 workers which translate to $648.7 million in household income to local residents. Your support will have an effect on the entire course of our economy and our community. Both Budget Hearings are being held at 5:01 pm on Thursday, September 3 and Thursday September 17 in the County Commission Chamber, 111 N.W. 1st Street, 2nd floor.

We are counting on your support. It is of the utmost importance to send e-mails, faxes, and letters to every Country Commissioner, the Mayor and the County Manager to let the know the arts are important to the community.

Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
The Frost Art Museum

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CCEMIAMI
Estimados amigos del Centro Cultural de Miami:

Necesitamos vuestra ayuda. La comunidad cultural de Miami está en una situación muy delicada y necesitamos hacer algo al respecto. Michael Spring, Director del Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, envió un boletín anunciando el corte de ayuda a las artes propuesto por el alcalde Carlos Álvarez. Por favor, llamad y enviad e-mails a nuestros comisionados para dejarles saber que las artes crean muchos puestos de trabajo, turismo y una imagen positiva de una ciudad que progresa. No podemos permitir que desaparezcan nuestras organizaciones culturales, y lo harán si se sigue adelante con estos cortes de presupuesto.
Os enviamos un ejemplo de carta para que la copiéis con vuestro nombre o si lo preferís, enviad la vuestra propia. Se incluye también una lista de los comisionados y un link para buscar el comisionado que corresponde a cada distrito. Enviad e-mails al comisionado que os corresponda y también a los otros 12. Este es un mensaje importante, debemos hacer que escuchen nuestra voz.
Gracias por vuestro apoyo a las artes
Saludos,

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More information about the county’s proposed cuts to the arts budget from the Lowe Art Museum. Some good dates here for meetings.

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Dear Lowe Art Museum Supporters,

I am writing to update our members and supporters about the continuing budget process. As you may have heard the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners recently voted to preserve the maximum flexibility to set a budget for the 2009-2010 year that responds to the current economic environment and invites additional put input into the final budget process.

The vote did NOT raise taxes, eliminate jobs, salaries or programs, but set the stage for an open, vigorous public process over the next 55 days when a final hearing on the 2009-2010 budget at 5:01 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2009.

The next several weeks are critical if we are to maintain any funding for arts and culture in our community. If you have not already written the members of the Miami-Dade County Commission and specifically your elected commissioner, I urge you to do so now. Tell the Commission what arts and culture mean to you and share with them what the loss will be to this community if they support a more than $11 million reduction in the budget for arts and culture grants for this community. A reduction of this magnitude will, I assure you, be devastating both to the Lowe and many organizations, which will simply cease to exist. If you have already written, please write again. The Commission needs to hear from its constitutents.

List of commissioners.

Please place these two important dates and times on your calendars:
5:01 p.m., Thursday, September 3, 2009-First public hearing on the FY 2009-2010 budget.
5:01 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2009-Final budget hearing on the FY 2009-2010 budget.

Thank you again for your continuing support of the Lowe Art Museum and other important community cultural institutions.

Sincerely,
Brian A. Dursum
Director and Chief Curator
Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

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Our friends at LegalArt are holding a seminar about taxes and how they affect artists. Highly recommended.

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SeminArt:Taxes and the Inside Scoop for Artists
LegalArt Presents
SeminArt: Taxes and the Inside Scoop for Artists
August 25, 2009
6:00-7:30pmArtCenter South Florida
800 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach 33139

David Wrubel is the Managing Director of the Miami Beach Certified Public Accounting Firm David L. Wrubel, CPA, PA. His firm has advised members of the artist community for many years on their tax compliance matters, including how to take steps to avoid getting hit with a big tax surprise at the end of the year from reported gallery sales of artwork, as well as how to reduce the chances of a tax examination by the IRS or the state.

His seminar will also discuss tax saving tips for artists. Following the presentation David will answer questions. Stick around to meet other artists and community leaders–LegalArt SeminArts are great networking opporunities!

Register now: provide the names of those attending to legalartprograms@gmail.com

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We are still fighting the fight to keep arts funding going in Miami-Dade County. Apparantly the commissioners cannot understand how much extra economic activity the arts actually fuel. This came in from Miami Light Project.

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On Monday, Miami Light Project joined colleagues in a standing room only town hall meeting at the Miami Science Museum with representatives from Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council and Commissioner Dennis Moss to learn more about the proposed budget cuts. The news wasn’t good: arts funding- as well as crucial funding for many County programs- is at great risk. However, there is still time to let your voice be heard.

From time to time, we’ll keep you informed on what these proposed cuts could mean and with easy ways that you can help support arts and culture in Miami-Dade County, ways that won’t cost you a penny, and only require a few moments of your time.

Please join us in fighting for the survival of the arts in Miami-Dade County!

What you can do now:
Click here to send your own letter to the Miami Herald voicing your support of the arts.
Write, email or call your Miami-Dade County commissioner voicing your support of the arts. We have included a sample letter below, as we contact information for the commissioners.
SAVE THE DATE! The County Commission will finalize the FY2009-2010 budget at the two public hearings both scheduled to begin at 5:01 pm in the County Commission Chamber (111 NW 1st Street, 2nd Floor) on: Thursday, September 3, 2009 and Thursday, September 17, 2009. Please join MLP and the South Florida Arts Community at these meetings!

Thank you for your continued support of Miami Light Project and the arts!

What’s at stake:

THOSE THINGS THAT DEFINE US AS A COMMUNITY
Our cultural organizations and facilities are critical to the lives of our community’s families and kids.
Our cultural attractions are defining Miami-Dade as an exciting, sophisticated destination for tourism and international commerce.

JOBS AND A VITAL PART OF OUR ECONOMY
Miami-Dade County cultural organizations employ thousands of people, from administrators and accountants to artists and carpenters.

Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs grants support is the critical underpinning to ensure the operational viability of these organizations, including their workforce.

Cultural organizations constitute a major local industry with an annual economic impact of almost $1 billion.

THE EMPIRICAL CONSEQUENCES WHEN CITIES DO NOT INVEST IN THE ARTS
Across America, we have seen once great cities decline because of downturns in the economic conditions and an abandonment of those defining parts of their civic lives. These same cities – their downtowns and their neglected neighborhoods — come back when they invest in the arts. Our ability to attract and retain great employees and the attractiveness of our community for tourism and commerce are directly reliant on the quality of life that we can offer.

MIAMI-DADE’S NATIONAL REPUTATION AS A LEADER IN CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
As a County, Miami-Dade has one of the most progressive commitments to the arts in the United States.
Our Department of Cultural Affairs’ investment policies have helped to give birth to one of the youngest, most diverse and dynamic cultural lives in our hemisphere. Our cultural groups are young and fragile and just now are able to start to build the financial infrastructure to sustain themselves to the next generation of their development.

THE MESSAGE THAT WE SEND OUT LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY
What County government does in its critical moment for decision-making will send a strong signal – locally, nationally and internationally – about what is important for the future of our community. When considering how to prioritize the uses of limited public dollars, it is essential to recognize the impact that the cultural industry has on the business vitality, educational enrichment, competitive differentiation, and overall quality of our community.

11 Cultural Facts

1. The Arts Generate Almost $1 Billion in Local Economic Impact.
Based on an Arts and Economic Prosperity Study (PDF) recently completed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the economic impact of Miami-Dade County’s arts and cultural industry is $922 million every year.

2. The Arts Employ More Than 22,000 Cultural Workers.
This Arts and Economic Prosperity Study is based on reported revenues and expenditures of 444
Miami-Dade-based, nonprofit cultural organizations and documents that these organizations employ 22,895 full-time cultural workers and generate $648.7 million in household income to local residents.

3. Every $1 of County Arts Funding Leverages $27 of Other Funds.
Presently, for each dollar of grant funding support invested by the County’s Department of Cultural Affairs, an additional $27is leveraged by our community’s cultural non-profits from other private and public sources.

4. Arts Audiences Spend More Than a Half a Billion Dollars.
Non-profit arts organizations in Miami-Dade County, which spend $420.1 million annually, leverage a remarkable $501.9 million in additional spending by arts audiences – spending that pumps vital revenue into local restaurants, hotels, retail stores, parking garages, and other businesses.

5. Cultural Groups Produce $5 in Tax Revenue for Every $1 the County Invests.
Cultural organizations in Miami-Dade generate $103 million annually in local and state government tax revenue.

6. Cultural Organizations Provide More than 2 Million Children Experiences.
The programs funded by the Department of Cultural Affairs reported that arts experiences were provided more than 2 million times to children in FY2006-2007. National studies document that students who are exposed to the arts score higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

7. More Than 12 Million People Attend Cultural Events Each Year.
The Arts and Economic Prosperity Study documents total attendance of 12,700,184 in FY2004 (based on 444 reporting organizations), including more than 3.2 million cultural tourists drawn to Miami-Dade County.

8. 19,000 People Donate Time and Skills as Cultural Volunteers.
Miami-Dade’s cultural organizations engaged more than 19,000 arts volunteers, who donated more than 648,000 hours to cultural organizations, with an estimated value of $11.3 million. This volunteer contribution is roughly equivalent to 230 full-time positions.

9. Cultural Pioneers Continue to Transform Neighborhoods.
The arts continue to be effective catalysts for revitalizing forgotten or neglected neighborhoods. Pioneer artists and cultural groups were at the forefront of the revitalization of Lincoln Road and South Beach and are responsible for helping to lead the resurgence of such neighborhoods as Wynwood, Little Havana, Overtown, Homestead, Hialeah and North Miami.

10.The County is Investing $1 Billion in Arts Facilities.
Miami-Dade County is investing more than $1 billion in building and improving county-wide cultural facilities. Over the past decade, Miami-Dade County has increased its cultural grants support for the operations of arts organizations to ensure that the cultural groups who exhibit and perform in these new venues are financially stable and programmatically excellent.

11. Miami’s Image and Reputation Worldwide is Being Celebrated Because of its Cultural Life
The New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast, the network morning television news broadcasts all regularly feature Miami and single out its cultural vitality and distinctiveness as setting Miami apart. The arts provide the most consistent and widespread good news about Miami, and the cultural scene here is distinguishing Miami as an exciting international center.

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It’s interesting that they hold this when most people with jobs cannot go to it. But, if you are in a position to be able to attend, I highly recommend it.

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The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs is holding a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Miami Science Museum from 2pm to 3:30pm. In attendance will be Adolfo Henriques, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council; Michael Spring, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Dennis Moss, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. It should be very informative and give the cultural community a good understanding of EXACTLY what we can expect if the proposed budget becomes implemented.

Miami-Dade Arts Homepage

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This one is from the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival organization. So much angst over this. Hopefully we can convince the Commission to do the right thing. Each of these have a little bit of a different perspective, that is why we are posting them all.

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We need your help to save Arts & Culture in Miami-Dade

Dear Friends,

Arts and Culture in Miami-Dade County are in serious peril and we need your help to save it. Last week news of the Mayors proposed budget were announced. This proposal calls for the elimination of nearly all funding for arts and cultural organizations in Miami-Dade County currently funded through the Department of Cultural Affairs. A cut in excess of $11 million dollars.

In an economic climate where financial support is already difficult to come-by, these cuts will mean the inevitable disappearance of some of the cultural organizations that so enrich our community and our lives.

The arts are a part of the rich fabric of Miami-Dade County. Arts & Cultural organizations and events have helped shape the global image of Miami, as a city of more than just beautiful beaches and non-stop partying, but as a place where exciting art is being created, presented and appreciated.

The repercussions of losing vital fiscal support are clear: decline in tourism, loss of jobs, negative impact on the local economy, unfavorable image of our city, and most importantly a decline in quality of life of our citizenry.

Join us in telling our elected officials that Arts & Culture in Miami-Dade County are an important and integral part of our community, and its future must not be in danger. Ask them to save the funding of the Department of Cultural Affair, and insure that Miami’s artistic community can continue creating and enriching our city.

Please email or call your county commissioners today!

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Yes, indeed, everyone is up in arms. Here is one from New World Symphony. Yes, I am going to post every letter that we get. And I know we have more coming.

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Dear James

We need your help! The cultural community in Miami-Dade County is in serious jeopardy; action is needed today, as the vote takes place tomorrow. Michael Spring, Director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, sent a bulletin out last week detailing drastic cuts in the Mayor’s proposed budget. Please call and email our commissioners NOW and let them know that the arts support jobs, tourism and a positive image of a progressive city and should NOT be cut.
If these cuts take place, many of the cultural organizations that you love and support may disappear.
Please take a few moments and contact your commissioner telling them to support the arts. A sample letter is featured in this email, please feel free to use this sample, or create your own. We have also included a list of Miami-Dade County Commissioners and a link to a county site where you can identify your commissioner. We urge you to call and email your own commissioner, and email the remaining 12 commissioners immediately. If you have a personal relationship with any of the commissioners, please call them directly.

Please forward this important message to your friends and colleagues. The artistic future of Miami-Dade County is on the line- this is your opportunity to say loud and clear that art and culture is important, and the jobs and livelihood that make up Miami-Dade County’s thriving cultural community are of vital importance.

Thank you for your continued support of the New World Symphony and the arts.

P.S. To see the entire proposed budget, please click here.

Sample Letter

Who is your Commissioner? Click HERE to find out.

Dear Commissioner (Insert Last Name Here)

(Potential first sentence for the letter sent to the Commissioner for the district in which you live/vote:) I am writing to you, my elected representative to the County Commission, to let you know of my deep and abiding concern as a resident and voter regarding the County’s FY2009/10 budget.

(Potential first sentence for letters sent to all other County Commissioners:) There are critical issues affecting the County’s arts and cultural support for which we need your help.

The Mayor’s proposed budget cut to the Department of Cultural Affairs is intolerable.

While we understand the need to prune the County’s operational budget to fill the large budget gap, we ask that you seriously look at the entire budget and ask yourself how shortsighted it would be to lose important support of the cultural community. Consider the millions of dollars the arts generate each year which would be lost in these reductions. The County’s economic impact of the arts study, released last year by the Department of Cultural Affairs, demonstrates that every $1 dollar of County arts funding invested leverages $27 of other private and public funds. This return on investment is remarkable evidence of the effective and worthwhile use of public funds. While $3.5 million is comparatively little in the context of the County’s target for overall budget reduction, it is an enormous portion of the County’s investment in its cultural life. Cutting these funds will have devastating, ripple effects across the various other funding sources that the County’s support helps to generate.

Annually, Miami-Dade’s arts industry generates nearly $1 billion in local economic impact, employs roughly 23,000 people full-time, and, in addition, receives the contributed skills and time of 19,000 arts volunteers. Thousands of jobs will be lost if these cuts are kept in place.

County government’s leadership and investment in the arts and culture has contributed directly to our community beginning to realize its goal of becoming one of the world’s most exciting cultural destinations. The proposed draconian cuts to the Department of Cultural Affairs will disrupt the cultural growth of our community and will cripple our efforts to attain our ambitions to attract business, tourism and citizens who are proud to call Miami-Dade County a true leader in arts and culture.

Thank you for your past support and for recognizing the value, importance and far-reaching benefits of building a great cultural life for our community. I strongly urge you to vote to continue current support for the arts and the budget of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Sincerely,
Your Name

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Oh yeah, they are coming in from all over! This one is from FUNDarte. Get involved!

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Dear Friend of FUNDarte:

We need your help. The cultural community in Miami-Dade is in serious jeopardy. Action is needed today. Michael Spring, Director of the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, sent a bulletin out late yesterday detailing drastic cuts in Mayor’s proposed budget. Michael’s email is below. Please call and email our commissioners NOW and let them know that the arts support jobs, tourism and a positive image of a progressive city. Any of the cultural organizations that you love and support will disappear if these cuts take place.

A sample letter is featured at the end of the email. You can write your own letter or use this one. We have also included a list of Miami Dade County Commissioners and a link to a county site where you can identify your commissioner. I urge you to call and email your own commissioner and email the remaining 12 commissioners. If you have a personal relationship with any of the commissioners please call them directly. Please forward this important message to your friends and colleagues.

Thank you for your support of the arts.
Regards

Ever Chavez and FUNDarte’s Staff

MICHAEL SPRING’S LETTER:

Dear Colleagues,

Mayor Alvarez released budget recommendations for the County’s FY2009-2010 budget today. This proposal includes substantial service cuts and workforce reductions to fill a $427 million projected budget gap.

If the budget is adopted as proposed, the Department’s budget will be reduced by more than $11 million dollars, requiring the elimination of nearly all of the Department’s grants for cultural organizations. Grants to all social service “community-based organizations” and “mom and pop” small businesses are slated for elimination also. All county departments and services are impacted significantly.

The next step in the budget process is for the Board of County Commissioners to set a preliminary millage rate next Tuesday, July 21. This will determine the degree to which the Commission can address and expand the budget priorities over the coming weeks, before the final budget is adopted. It is critically important to let the County Commissioners know the impact that County funding has on providing great arts and cultural programs and services for the citizens of Miami-Dade County. For contact information for the County Commissioners, scroll down.

Historically, the County Mayor, County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners have been very supportive of the Department’s budget. In previous, difficult budget years, they have consistently appreciated the impact of the cultural industry on the local economy, the importance of culture on the quality of life and the competitive advantage of our community, and have been mindful of the extraordinary return generated by the County’s investment in the community’s cultural assets.

We are scheduling a town meeting in the coming weeks to provide more details on the County’s cultural budget reductions and recommendations. We strongly encourage you to participate in the budget discussions that are taking place from this point on.

Thanks,
Michael

PS To see the entire proposed budget, please go to www.miamidade.gov and click on the link “View the Proposed Budget.”

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Commissioner (Insert Last Name Here)

(Potential first sentence for the letter sent to the Commissioner for the district in which you live/vote:) I am writing to you, my elected representative to the County Commission, to let you know of my deep and abiding concern as a resident and voter regarding the County’s FY2009/10 budget.
(Potential first sentence for letters sent to all other County Commissioners:) There are critical issues affecting the County’s arts and cultural support for which we need your help.

The Mayor’s proposed budget cut to the Department of Cultural Affairs is intolerable.

While we understand the need to prune the County’s operational budget to fill the large budget gap, we ask that you seriously look at the entire budget and ask yourself how shortsighted it would be to lose important support of the cultural community. Consider the millions of dollars the arts generate each year which would be lost in these reductions. The County’s economic impact of the arts study, released last year by the Department of Cultural Affairs, demonstrates that every $1 dollar of County arts funding invested leverages $27 of other private and public funds. This return on investment is remarkable evidence of the effective and worthwhile use of public funds. While $3.5 million is comparatively little in the context of the County’s target for overall budget reduction, it is an enormous portion of the County’s investment in its cultural life. Cutting these funds will have devastating, ripple effects across the various other funding sources that the County’s support helps to generate.

Annually, Miami-Dade’s arts industry generates nearly $1 billion in local economic impact, employs roughly 23,000 people full-time, and, in addition, receives the contributed skills and time of 19,000 arts volunteers. Thousands of jobs will be lost if these cuts are kept in place.

County government’s leadership and investment in the arts and culture has contributed directly to our community beginning to realize its goal of becoming one of the world’s most exciting cultural destinations. The proposed draconian cuts to the Department of Cultural Affairs will disrupt the cultural growth of our community and will cripple our efforts to attain our ambitions to attract business, tourism and citizens who are proud to call Miami-Dade County a true leader in arts and culture.

Thank you for your past support and for recognizing the value, importance and far-reaching benefits of building a great cultural life for our community. I strongly urge you to vote to continue current support for the arts and the budget of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Sincerely,
Your Name

Who is your Commissioner? Click here to find out

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These are coming in from all over. Here is another call for action from the Lowe Art Museum. Are you getting the impression this is a big issue, yet?

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Dear Lowe Art Museum Supporters,

The Lowe and our cultural colleagues in the community need your help NOW! Michael Spring, the Director of the Miami Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, sent out the following email notifying arts organizations and supporters that the current proposed 2009-2010 Budget for Miami Dade County would reduce the Cultural Affairs Grants Budget by $11 Million Dollars, which would void any funding for the Lowe Art Museum and all other non-profit arts groups.

Please call and email your commissioners NOW and let them know that the arts support our economy, tourism, and enrich our lives. The Lowe Art Museum’s operating budget is critically dependent on continued funding from Miami-Dade County.

Provided below is a sample email for you to use. Please modify it and add your own points. A list of Miami Dade County Commissioners with a direct link is attached for your convenience. I urge you to write to all the commissioners and add a personal note to your district commissioner. A link has been attached so that you can identify your commissioner. Time is of the essence; please e-mail your note TODAY in time for Tuesday morning’s commission meeting. Many thanks for your support.

Sincerely,
Brian A. Dursum
Director and Chief Curator
Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

Michael Spring, Cultural Affairs Executive Director’s Letter to Cultural Groups
(Sample Letter & Commissioner email addresses follows)

Dear Colleagues,

Mayor Alvarez released budget recommendations for the County’s FY2009-2010 budget today. This proposal includes substantial service cuts and workforce reductions to fill a $427 million projected budget gap.

If the budget is adopted as proposed, the Department’s budget will be reduced by more than $11 million dollars, requiring the elimination of nearly all of the Department’s grants for cultural organizations. Grants to all social service “community-based organizations” and “mom and pop” small businesses are slated for elimination also. All county departments and services are impacted significantly.

The next step in the budget process is for the Board of County Commissioners to set a preliminary millage rate next Tuesday, July 21. This will determine the degree to which the Commission can address and expand the budget priorities over the coming weeks, before the final budget is adopted. It is critically important to let the County Commissioners know the impact that County funding has on providing great arts and cultural programs and services for the citizens of Miami-Dade County. For contact information for the County Commissioners, please go to
http://www.miamidadearts.org/Documents/Forms/Grantees/County%20Commission%20Contact%20List%207-15-2009.pdf

Historically, the County Mayor, County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners have been very supportive of the Department’s budget. In previous, difficult budget years, they have consistently appreciated the impact of the cultural industry on the local economy, the importance of culture on the quality of life and the competitive advantage of our community, and have been mindful of the extraordinary return generated by the County’s investment in the community’s cultural assets.

We are scheduling a town meeting in the coming weeks to provide more details on the County’s cultural budget reductions and recommendations. We strongly encourage you to participate in the budget discussions that are taking place from this point on.

Thanks,
Michael

PS-To see the entire proposed budget, please go to http://www.miamidade.gov/budget/

Who is your Commissioner? Click here to find out

(SAMPLE LETTER)
Dear Commissioner:

I am very concerned about the proposed cut to the county arts budget. Your past support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs has helped make the arts in Miami-Dade County a very important part of our quality of life, development of tourism, and overall benefit of the economic well being of our community. In addition, there is a concern that the previous investment in the arts could be lost entirely for many arts organizations without continued funding.

The current proposed budget to eliminate more than $11 million to the Department of Cultural Affairs would have an enormous detrimental effect on Miami-Dade County. Our arts organizations, from small to large, contribute greatly not only to the economy of our region but also to its quality of life. If passed in its current form the loss of jobs alone resulting from this proposal will be huge, let alone the impact on tourism and the general economic and cultural health of our community. Since a funding loss of such magnitude would have a rippling effect, it is likely that thousands of jobs and services would disappear overnight. Tourists who are increasingly seeking cultural programming to augment their visit to Miami would retreat to an image of the area as a cultural desert, a view that all of us have fought hard to change.

I strongly urge you to vote to continue current support for the arts and community-based organizations.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your address]

Please pass this on to your email list!

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