2003-25205 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2003~-25205
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA URGING THE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE STATE
LEGISLATURE TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS
AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE
AS PART OF THE 2003 STATE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET
APPROPRIATIONS.
WHEREAS, the Florida House and Senate are considering bills that would eliminate
the trust fund dollars for arts, culture, and historical resources and would put all revenue
from the Corporations Trust Fund into general revenue; and
WHEREAS, these bills also eliminate major funding categories in Florida Statues for
the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, including statewide arts grants, arts in education,
state touring, local arts agencies, and state service organizations; and
WHEREAS, these bills would dismantle cultural grants programs that have served
as national models for the investment of public funds; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Senate is considering a bill to recommend zero funding for
our state's arts and cultural development programs; and
WHEREAS, these funds and state-matching grants fund over 25,000 different
cultural events produced by over 720 organizations in 58 of 67 counties and these
programs reach over 27 million people, including 8 million school-aged children and if
funding is cut, art educational programs will disappear, as will the dreams and imagination
of the children of Florida; and
WHEREAS, by this proposed legislation, arts groups in Miami-Dade County stand
to lose $6 million in funding support and most will no longer even be eligible to compete for
state funds in the future; and the arts will be lost as a priority to the state; and
WHEREAS, studies, statistics, and residents and visitors of our state all confirm that
Florida's arts and cultural resources help promote tourism, strengthen student
achievement, build and connect communities, employ over 22,237 full-time and thousands
of contracted positions, and contribute over $1.4 billion to the state's economy each year;
and
WHEREAS, the state's annual investment in arts and cultural development reaps
substantial rewards and helps to successfully leverage state dollars at the local level in
that, for every state dollar invested, $44 local dollars are expended; and
WHEREAS, the economic impact on tourism is also substantial because in one
year, Florida's cultural tourists spend $2.9 billion and create $5.6 billion in gross state
product and Florida's cultural tourists spend an average of $349 each vs. $291 spent by
other tourists; and
WHEREAS, the arts and cultural industry definitely enhances Florida as a popular
destination site; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach has a rich history as a trend setting arts center,
and owes much of its renaissance to art and culture; and
WHEREAS, the City continues to strengthen its identity as the premier cultural
destination in the state and is home to the Bass Museum of Art, the Holocaust Memorial,
the Sanford L. Ziff Jewish Museum, the Wolfsonian Museum, the Miami Design
Preservation League's Center & Art Deco Museum, the Miami City Ballet, the New World
Symphony, the Colony Theater, the Byron Carlyle Theater, the Lincoln Theater and the
Jackie Gleason Theater of Performing Arts, and attracts world-class events, such as Art
Basel/Miami Beach, the most prestigious art fair in the western hemisphere; and
WHEREAS, the Governor supports funding our state's cultural resources; and the
Florida Arts Council, an advisory body with members appointed by the Governor, President
of the Senate, and Speaker of the House, recommend funding these critically important
programs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Governor of the State
of Florida and the State Legislature are hereby urged to restore funding for the arts and
cultural programs throughout the state as part of the 2003 State Legislative Budget
appropriations.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 30th day of
~rit2~ , 2003.
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
JORGE M. GONZALEZ
CITY MANAGER
MATTI H. BOWER~
COMMISSIONER
DATE: April 25, 2003
Agenda Item-Resolution regarding funding at the state level for the
Arts
Please place on the April 30, 2003 Commission Meeting Agenda the attached resolution regarding
funding for the Arts.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter, if you have any questions please do not
'hesitate in contacting my offices at x7107.
Thank you.
MB/lw
Agenda Item
Date ~-~~