Creative differences

Five area arts and culture organizations are scrambling to adapt after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed significant funding in the 2024-25 cycle.

Home » Arts & Entertainment
Posted July 6, 2024 | By Susan Smiley-Height
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Combined photos: First: Davina and the Vagabonds perform during the kickoff of the Levitt AMP Concert Series on Webb Field at the Martin Luther King Recreation Complex in Ocala on Friday, April 22, 2022. The concert is hosted by the Marion Cultural Alliance in partnership with the City of Ocala. Second: A cast member does a flip during a dress rehearsal of Newsies at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. [Image created by Amy Crescenzo using photos by Bruce Ackerman]

Among the many enjoyable pursuits in Ocala/Marion County are those that engage participants with organizations such as Arts in Health Ocala Metro, the CF Appleton Museum of Art, Marion Cultural Alliance, Ocala Civic Theatre and Ocala Symphony Orchestra.

These nonprofits offer a wide variety of programming to enhance the area’s quality of life by giving people opportunities to expand their horizons artistically and culturally. The museum, for example, is currently offering summer arts camps for youth ages 5 to 17 that will help them discover the works of renowned artists, experiment with different materials and try new techniques to create their own masterpieces. Arts in Health Ocala Metro is offering “Parlor Picnics” for more mature audiences on July 7 and Aug. 5, respectively, featuring the themes “Catharsis: Music as a Tool For Healing” and “Word Offering: A Foretaste of Seasons Reaching for Spring.” 

The five agencies in this article rely on various forms of financial support, which may include private, corporate and governmental income. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently vetoed state arts funding to the tune of $26 million for the 2024-2025 cycle. 

According to Jaye Baillie, executive director of the alliance, “This unexpected cut has left organizations scrambling to find alternative funding sources. Five arts organizations in Marion County alone are facing a combined loss of $209,244, a significant reduction from their original funding requests of $445,200. This cut comes on the heels of an already reduced budget from Senate and House negotiators, who had slashed the funds recommended by the Florida Division of Arts and Culture by 47%. As a result of the veto, zero support will be received locally and to 620 other arts organizations throughout Florida.”

And, Baillie adds, “It’s important to note that while the direct impact to the organizations is a reduction of $209,244 in grant funding, we are a part of a sector that generates billions of dollars for Florida in economic activity, millions in local and state revenue, job support and creation, and is a major draw for tourists. The latest American for the Arts AEPVI Study revealed that our local creative industry generated $53.2 million in economic activity, supported 800 jobs providing $21.2 million in personal income to residents, and generated $7.8 million in local, state, and federal governments.”

We did a Q&A with each organization and asked them to help us understand how this will impact them and local audiences, and to speak about the future. 

 

ARTS IN HEALTH OCALA METRO, Patricia Tomlinson, Executive Director, aihocala.org

How much did your organization request in the 2024-25 cycle?

$12,700

How will you work to offset/make up this loss of revenue?

We have upcoming fundraisers and our Give4Marion campaign planned in addition to other grants we’ve applied for.

How does your organization impact the local community?

In a little over a year of programming, AIHOM has served over 3,800 people in the Ocala/Marion County community who have reported increases in their quality of life, confidence, and physical and social engagement due to our arts workshops.

Shelby Frostman, whose stage name is Shelby Lauren, poses for a photo with her 416 Taylor Maple Limited guitar at Arts in Health Ocala Metro on Northeast 8th Avenue in Ocala on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

How can people help your organization during this challenging time?

The community can best support us by attending our fundraisers, giving individually, and donating generously to AIHOM during Give4Marion on Sept. 17 and 18.

What are your long-range plans for sustaining your organization/programming?

Arts in Health Ocala Metro’s long-range plan is to secure local business partnerships, corporate sponsorship, and foundational support to continue our mission in Ocala/Marion County.

 

CF APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART, Jason Steuber, Director; Victoria Billig, Assistant Director; appletonmuseum.org

How much did your organization request in the 2024-25 cycle?

$150,000 (standard amount set for Level 3 museums as prescribed by the State)

Kailey Quiroz, 4, visits with Princess Belle during the First Free Saturday event at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala on Saturday, August 6, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

How will you work to offset/make up this loss of revenue?

Funds awarded by the Florida Division of Arts & Culture typically supplement the museum’s marketing efforts, as well as special public programming. Through strategic and focused advertising, the museum can better reach expanded audiences across the College of Central Florida’s tri-county service area of Marion, Citrus and Levy counties, and beyond. These efforts create a greater awareness of exhibitions, events and programming, as well as increase general attendance and museum membership. With no General Program Support grant funds for the 2024-2025 funding year, the museum will rely more heavily upon: free or low-cost resources to share information with members and the public; an increased presence at community events to conduct important person-to-person marketing; partnerships with tri-county organizations; and sponsorships from tri-county individuals, organizations and businesses.

How does your organization impact the local community?

With a collection of more than 24,000 works, the Appleton is a key part of the region’s cultural picture, and the only art museum in the tri-county service area of Marion, Citrus and Levy counties. The museum is a resource for culture and arts education through exhibitions, educational programs and studio art classes. Annually, about 50,000 visitors from the community (and all over the world) come to the museum. Since opening the doors in 1987, we have welcomed over 1.3 million visitors. Off-site, the museum serves 30,000 people of all ages each year through a robust schedule of outreach programs. As a department and campus of the College of Central Florida, the museum is a learning space for students in higher education with ongoing collaborations with CF faculty and students. The museum provides a professional and stimulating setting for interns from schools near and far, across a variety of degree programs, like business, public safety, and art history. The museum supports local businesses and organizations throughout the community by partnering on special events and member incentives.

How can people help your organization during this challenging time?

The best way for individuals and businesses to support the Appleton Museum of Art is to visit the museum, and bring friends, family and colleagues. Take in the exhibitions, visit the Artspace, and shop in the Appleton Store. Sharing your passion for the arts will help cultivate future members and supporters of the museum and the overall cultural picture in our region. For those who are members, renewing your membership is a great way to support the museum. For those who aren’t members yet, the museum has a lot to offer and there are a variety of membership levels to fit any household. If you can’t join, enjoy the museum on a free-admission day. Your visit counts! Our admission numbers directly reflect the community’s support.

What are your long-range plans for sustaining your organization/programming?

The Appleton is fortunate in that operations and programming are sustainable through the College of Central Florida, revenue streams such as admissions, rentals, memberships, cash donations, etc. and endowments managed by the College of Central Florida Foundation. Competitive grant awards are unpredictable and change every year—something the museum does keep in mind when planning the budget and scheduling programs. With that being said, the community’s continued support of the museum, through attendance, memberships, class enrollments, event participation and even social media interactions, is critical to our success.

 

Davina and the Vagabonds perform during the kickoff of the Levitt AMP Concert Series on Webb Field at the Martin Luther King Recreation Complex in Ocala on Friday, April 22, 2022. The concert, hosted by the Marion Cultural Alliance in partnership with the City of Ocala, was the first of 10 free concerts that will be held every Friday at Webb Field. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

MARION CULTURAL ALLIANCE, Jaye Baillie, Executive Director, mcaocala.org

How much did your organization request in the 2024-25 cycle?

$11,000

How will you work to offset/make up this loss of revenue?

As a designated local arts agency for the city of Ocala and Marion County, we realize this is an unexpected and significant financial decrease in the budgets of the Ocala Civic Theatre, Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Appleton Museum of Art, and Arts in Health Ocala Metro. MCA hosted a meeting of the art leaders of these organizations on June 28 to discuss strategies to fill the funding gap, to engage our local policy makers, and to work with the Florida Arts Alliance to ensure that funding for the arts is restored in the 2025 session for 2025-2026 grants.

As for MCA, we will continue to connect its mission, to champion arts, artists, and arts organizations; to convene people to appreciate art, learn about art, and build support for art, and to create a thriving arts presence in Ocala/Marion County, with potential donors, businesses, and individuals to help offset our funding gap.

How does your organization impact the local community?

In more than two decades of serving as our community’s arts alliance, MCA has become a leader in growing the Ocala Metro’s reputation as a vibrant arts community and is recognized as helping to grow and support the arts and cultural sector. As a local arts agency, MCA promotes, supports, and develops the arts to ensure a vital presence for the arts in the Ocala Metro, specifically:

* Is a funder for artists and arts organizations. Since its inception, nearly $2.5 million has been awarded in grants, scholarships, artists’ stipends, art sale commissions and more

* Provides workshops, programs, and learning opportunities for artists and public

* Provides technical support to local arts organizations, cultural organizations, and artists

* Advocates for support of the arts including funding opportunities locally and at the state level 

* Hosts and maintains the online community cultural engagement platform-The Ocala Metro Art Scene 

* Partners with the city of Ocala to host the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series (now in its eight year, and the first one funded in the state)

* Works with the city in the implementation of the 10 Year Arts & Cultural Plan, including coordinating partners for place-making redevelopment opportunities using best practices 

* A key role for MCA is to serve as the chief arts advocate for our community. MCA was a major funder for the city of Ocala’s first arts 10-year master plan, and an active participant in the Americans for the Arts Economic Prosperity V and VI, and convenes art leaders to discuss issues and opportunities, presents ‘state of the arts’ annual updates, and seeks state and federal funding opportunities for arts organizations and artists.

How can people help your organization during this challenging time?

We are asking the community to learn more about the impact of funding cuts and to seek ways to support the affected organizations through donations, season subscriptions, memberships, planned gifts, corporate sponsorships, the annual Give4Marion Campaign, volunteering, and by attending the organizations’ events.

As for MCA, we have opportunities for volunteers, arts patrons, and business pARTners. MCA has recently launched a tiered based membership program that is equity based, meaning a donor or member can choose their level of support based on their ability to give. Giving at a higher level helps MCA provide a lower entry membership fee to those who need it. Our desire is to not have any barriers to participation in our growing arts community. No matter the tier selected, everyone receives the same benefits. 

What are your long-range plans for sustaining your organization/programming?

Recognizing the economic impact on our county, the organizations impacted by the governor’s veto will begin discussions with our local policy makers to help ensure the arts thrive and continue to contribute to our local economy and add to our quality of life and sense of place.  Additionally, the impact of arts education cannot be understated.  Looking at our peer counties throughout the state, there are many examples of support for the arts received through tourism dollars and other sources.

 

A cast member does a flip during a dress rehearsal of Newsies at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The Disney Broadway Musical will be performed live on stage at the Ocala Civic Theatre from May 4-21, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

OCALA CIVIC THEATRE, Greg Thompson, Executive & Artistic Director, ocalacivictheatre.com

How much did your organization request in the 2024-25 cycle?

$107,500

How will you work to offset/make up this loss of revenue?

We will work to increase revenue and appeal to donors. I would also love to hear from the city/county, local organizations like the CEP (Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership) and Ocala/Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau regarding how they can help by better promoting the arts as a critical economic driver and employers in our region—we are businesses; we employ people. It is incumbent on our leadership to clearly communicate not merely the need for the arts, but the value they add to our region’s economy, as well as how they fill gaps in our education system, which also lacks adequate arts funding.

How does your organization impact the local community?

We provide jobs for 21 people. We provide year-round education to children, adults and life-long learners. We create opportunities for volunteers to earn community service hours and to learn and interact with their fellow citizens. We provide scholarships. And we provide a place for the community to come together and to be entertained; start conversations and build relationships. We are a source of civic pride. I think the community understands our value, given our 74-year history. In a county with more than 400,000 citizens and a network of cultural institutions that together serve well over half of those citizens, annually, my concern is whether our leaders are really listening, not only to us, but to the taxpayers we are proud and grateful to serve.

How can people help your organization during this challenging time?

We need more dollars. We welcome more volunteers. And we need qualified board members who are passionate about the value of our institution and the need for the arts in our community.

What are your long-range plans for sustaining your organization/programming?

Diversification. On every level. We are seeing more people return and more new faces than ever at our auditions, in our classes and attending our shows. We are bringing more variety to our programming. And, more than ever, we are working to partner with our fellow community leaders to feed and grow our cultural landscape. I am so proud be a part of a community that boasts excellent leadership in the arts.

We have also implemented new technologies that allow us to save money while increasing the production value of our shows. We are streamlining our operations and making our spaces more appealing and more functional to welcome the communities and local businesses and organizations who need space.

 

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra performs during the Symphony Under The Stars at the Ocala Golf Club in Ocala on Sunday, May 12, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Style] 2024.

OCALA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, Natalie McComb, Executive Director, reillyartscenter.com/symphony/orchestra

How much did your organization request in the 2024-25 cycle?

We were eligible to receive up to $150,000 if the Division of Arts and Culture’s total request would have been funded. The legislature has cut funding for the general support grants the last two years, and this year recommended it be funded at 47.7%. If the governor would not have vetoed their recommendation, we would have received $71,642.

How will you work to offset/make up this loss of revenue?

The veto occurred just days before our board was set to approve the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. We are now actively looking at ways we can offset this loss of revenue and adjust for the coming year. As with most performing arts organizations, ticket sales provide only a fraction of the funding required for operations. With operating costs increasing during this period of inflation, we will be reevaluating our pricing structure to ensure we remain competitively priced while not compromising the accessibility of our venues.  The variety of local, accessible programming as well as the scholarships we provide to students looking to pursue their love of music will not be possible without additional philanthropic support in the year ahead. 

How does your organization impact the local community?

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra operates the Reilly Arts Center, the Marion Theatre and the Community Music Conservatory. We also impact our community economically by employing more than 30 full and part time staff members in operations, production, artistic, education, and administrative positions as well as contracting with more than 100 musicians and independent artists each year from our community and beyond. We book more than 150 room nights each season for musicians and artists and a significant portion of our nearly 70,000 annual guests report patronizing local restaurants, lodging, and entertainment options before and after our events. We not only provide quality, local entertainment opportunities but we teach and inspire the next generation of musicians through our music school, community outreach activities, and summer camps. Our venues and professional staff also help host a variety of corporate, government, youth, nonprofit and community events, providing an important community asset to Marion County.

How can people help your organization during this challenging time?

Already, we are indebted to the generosity of our donors, corporate sponsors, and loyal patrons who have allowed the Ocala Symphony Orchestra to serve the community for nearly 50 years. To ask more of our community at this time is a challenge we didn’t anticipate facing. We are encouraging our supporters to give a gift if they can, become a subscriber of the Ocala Symphony, support the Reilly as a patron, and help advocate for the arts at the local and state level.

What are your long-range plans for sustaining your organization/programming?

We will need to increase our outreach efforts to attract private donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants. A sustainable nonprofit organization must be supported through a variety of funding vehicles. The loss of this important grant will also limit just how much we can respond to community needs or expand our programming to serve new audiences. We can learn a lot from how other communities support arts and culture organizations. We have been actively reaching out to other performing arts centers across the state to learn more about their local grants programs and what our community can learn from those models. 

To learn more about the 2024-25 state budget approvals and vetoes, go to flgov.com/2024/06/12/governor-ron-desantis-signs-fiscal-year-2024-2025-focus-on-floridas-future-budget

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