Governor Scott does not recommend state support for arts & culture grants

Florida Cultural Alliance -- www.flca.net Action ALERT and Resources to Use and Save for Future Use The time is now to step up and speak out -- arts & culture part of the solution. Support for government investments in arts & culture is under attack:  Governor Scott does not recommend state support for arts & culture grants in his proposed budget; U.S. Florida Representative Connie Mack introduced an amendment to zero out the National Endowment for the Arts; the Florida Legislature has reduced support by over 95% over the last five years for arts & culture grants, making the per capita investment only 5 cents per Floridian. Will you and others step up and speak out now?  Your voice matters.

I.   What You Can Do Now -- simple steps you can take now to communicate with      your state and federal policy makers that arts & culture deserve their support and      matter to you and others in your community.            The following resources are for your advocacy use now and in the future.       Please save this e-mail for future reference; and once a week, go to       www.flca.net for advocacy updates.  Thank you for your advocacy efforts. II.  State Budget Information:               a.  Overview of Governor Scott's Proposed State Budget             b.  Governor's Proposed Budget Bill and His Recommendations for DCA          c.  Current (FY2011) State Budget Page for DCA (Division of Cultural Affairs)        d.  Five-Year History of State Funding for DCA         e.  Governor Scott's February 12 E-mail About His Proposed Budget         f.   Florida Tax Watch Report  on Governor's Proposed Budget         III.  2011 Florida Legislative Platform for Arts & Culture:             a.  2011 Florida Legislative Platform for Arts & Culture       b.  Comparison Report of DCA-Grant Measurements FY 2006-07 and 2009-10       c.  2011 Sample Talking Points On How Arts & Culture Are Part of Solution to            Help Rebuild Florida's Economy   IV.  Division of Cultural Affairs' (DCA) 2011-2012 Grant Requests:       a.  Final Ranked Applicants for Four DCA Grant Lists by Counties       b.  Final Total Applicants by Grant Types by Counties Alpha       c.  Final Total Applicants by Grant Types by Counties       d.  Ranked Cultural Facilities by Rank AND by County       e.  Ranked Cultural Endowment List       f.   Ranked Specific Cultural Project Applicant List (On DCA Website)       g.  Ranked General Program Support Applicant List (On DCA Website)  V.  2011 Suggested Advocacy Strategies:                 a.  Register to participate on Arts & Culture Day in Tallahassee and Other            Advocacy Days in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.       b.  Step Up & Speak Out -- Arts & Culture Part of the Solution Campaign:            1.  Communicate now with Florida Legislative Budget Leadership --                 go to #5 under Advocacy Resources.  Also use this free Americans for the                 Arts Calculator to ascertain your organization's economic impact. Help                 inform these legislative leaders that state support helps preserve and                 create jobs in your community --use a couple of sample talking points, plus                 your own.  Our industry is critical to help rebuild our economy.             2.  Suggestions to Effectively Communicate with your legislators.              3.  Communicate with members of the Transportation and Economic                 Development Appropriations Committees in both the House and Senate --                 refer to #3 under Advocacy Resources.            4.  Meet and communicate with your senators and representatives about the                 importance of these state dollars -- access those members who represent                 your county here.            5.  Include them on your mailing list -- invite them to your events?            6.  January/February 2011 Advocacy Calendar and                 November/December 2010 Advocacy Calendar            7.  Comprehensive Advocacy Strategies -- go to B.3 when page opens                and add your own advocacy strategies to the list.            8.  Join us now on  and at www.Twitter.com/flculall.            9.  Download Excel files of your county legislators and key legislative                committees.               a.  Florida House Directory               b.  Florida Senate Directory               c.  Florida Guide to Government         10.  Bookmark the Florida Legislature www.leg.state.fl.us and the Florida Cultural               Alliance www.flca.net websites and Americans for the Arts Action Center               for easy-advocacy reference. VI.  Other Important Information to Share:           1.  Take Action Now to Save NEA  -- alert with Florida members of Republican                Study Committee            2.  Take Action Now to Save NPR and PBS            3.  Article on Attacks on State Arts Agencies and Funding of Arts

Sherron Sherron Long, president Florida Cultural Alliance Post Office Box 2131 West Palm Beach, Florida 33402-2131 info@flca.net www.flca.net