A statewide financial boost for arts and culture
For the first time in eight years, hundreds of non-profit arts and culture organizations are going to get all the money they qualify for in the Florida state budget. That’s good news for organizations that have been on a rollercoaster financial ride during the pandemic, which forced many of them to shut down or cancel performances or exhibits, costing them income from ticket sales and admissions.
Total funding in the new state budget more than doubled from last year, for both programming and building projects.
The last time the cultural and museum grants category was fully funded was in 2014 when Gov. Rick Scott was running for re-election, along with many state legislators. We are in the same situation this year, with Gov. Ron DeSantis seeking his second term this fall. Some observers say politics doesn’t play a part in these decisions, but it’s a curious coincidence.
In other news, we have told you about the Players Centre for Performing Arts effort to win a lease to operate the historic city of Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. In a recent opinion column published in the Herald-Trtibune, CEO William Skaggs explained the reasons for wanting to use the space. At the same time, there is now a push from others to have the Players consider another city-owned auditorium in Payne Park. Opinion columnist Carrie Seidman wrote about that possibility.
You have just a few more days (through June 26) to see this year’s special art exhibition at Selby Gardens: “Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith: Flowers, Poetry and Light.” Smith has been named the first artist-in-residence at Selby.
There have been several openings recently on local stages. This is the final week of Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of the new musical “Hood.” Urbanite Theatre has opened the regional premiere of the play “Athena” about two high school fencers. At Florida Studio Theatre, the Johnny Cash musical “Ring of Fire” is now running, as is the touring concert show “Rock ‘n’ Roll Reignited.”
Performances of the annual Summer Circus Spectacular are underway at The Ringling in its partnership with the Circus Arts Conservatory. Beginning Friday, the Players Centre will present the premiere of Ron Pantello’s “Damaged Goods,” which won the 2019 Players New Play Festival.
And the Sarasota Music Festival is coming to a close with a final week of talks and performances.
Enjoy the week.
Jay Handelman
Arts Editor
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: A statewide financial boost for arts and culture
