Commissioner's Corner: Becoming a global city

Orange County is quickly redefining itself as a global city. Not only are we a leader in the tourism and high-tech industries, but we are also a burgeoning leader in the realm of fine arts and culture. We are home to many outstanding performance groups ranging from the Orlando Shakespeare Theater to Orlando Philharmonic and just last year we celebrated the grand opening of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, one of the finest performing arts centers in the nation.

As county commissioner, I have always supported the arts and arts education in our community. I am grateful for the support my colleagues on the Board of County Commissioners have shown for these programs. However, there is still more to do. In addition to my role as a county commissioner, I serve on the board dedicated to aiding Orange County’s creative community. This month, I would like to tell you about the Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Council and the important role we fill in bolstering the local arts community.

Orange County government has stepped up to help artistic organizations fill the gaps in their funding. The Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Council works with county staff to identify significant local cultural programs and provide the Board of County Commissioners with funding recommendations for qualified programs. If recommended by the Arts Council, qualified organizations can receive cultural tourism, cultural facilities, and blockbuster events funding through both Tourist Development Tax and General Fund dollars.

Cultural tourism funding is available for non-profit groups staging events advertised primarily to residents or areas outside of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties. Last year, the council identified over $2 million in funding needs for cultural tourism programs across the county. Some of the identified programs include the Florida Film Festival, the Orlando Repertory Theatre’s summer and fall season, the Orlando Fringe Festival, and the Winter Garden Music Festival. The recommended programs received approximately $1.2 million in grant funding from the Board of County Commissioners.

Cultural facilities funding is also available. This funding can be used for the acquisition, construction, renovation, or outfitting of an auditorium or museum owned by either government entities or non-profits. Last year, the Arts Council identified nearly $1 million in cultural facilities funding needs including infrastructure upgrades at the Orlando Science Center, preservation of the historic Capen House in Winter Park, renovation of the Lake Rowena Overlook at Leu Gardens, and the renovation of the Fort Christmas Post Office. The Board of County Commissioner approved $656,000 in cultural facilities funding.

Blockbuster events will be large-scale events requiring two or more years of advanced planning, which will result in extraordinary attendance of at least 100,000 people. A blockbuster event will include significant participation from local arts groups and must be financially feasible. To date, no organization has qualified for this funding. However, I am confident this funding source will lead to incredible cultural programming for Orange County residents in the near future.

I am proud of the significant achievements made by Orange County artists. If you are interested in applying for cultural tourism, cultural facilities, or blockbuster events funding, please contact Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs at 407-836-5540. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff, Edgar Robinson and Lynette Rummel, if you have any questions regarding the Arts Council or any other Orange County issue. We can be reached at 407-836-7350 or by email and [email protected].