ORLANDO – Last week (March 22) forty-three local leaders from six counties traveled to Tallahassee and met with 31 legislators in 4 hours to advocate for an increase in statewide arts funding. Among these leaders was Gwen Covington, Chairperson, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Advisory Council. The request is $68 million for support of 774 Florida arts programs and projects, including Orange County 54 grants totaling $5,309,347. The group was transported to the Capitol for Arts Advocacy Day via the unique arts-on-wheels GoPegasus Bus that features the “Art Elevates Life” bus wrap designed by Katherine Larson. Many visitors enjoyed the artwork while the bus was parked at the Capitol Plaza during our visit. Key partners who work in concert with this significant effort are Florida Cultural Alliance, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Advisory Council- Advocacy Committee, United Arts of Central Florida, Inc., and national partners Americans for the Arts and Arts Action Fund. The Advisory Council recommends how Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenues and General Fund dollars should be invested to elevate Central Florida’s arts and culture to that befitting a diverse world-class community. In 2019, Covington was appointed to the Council by Mayor Jerry Demings and has encouraged Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion participation since her tenure. Learn how the TDT grant application process works by visiting www.unitedarts.cc; and follow the Council meetings schedule posted on the County calendar at www.ocfl.net.
