CLEARWATER ARTS ALLIANCE, INC.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

Clearwater Arts Alliance: Bringing Pianos to Pinellas and Exhibitions to Schools Clearwater, FL is a vibrant and dedicated community, evident in the activity of its community-supported organizations. For the Clearwater Arts Alliance, organized in 1999, the main mission is collaboration and visibility of the arts. Cruse emphasizes a strong dedication and support for arts education and arts teachers in the public schools. The Clearwater Arts Teacher Funding program helps three schools per year produce major arts projects. Youth Arts Month is held each March as a joint effort between the CAA, the school system, and the city to sponsor a juried exhibition for K through 8th grade art students. Active support has resulted in an improved city for residents and business. Christopher Hubbard, Cultural Affairs Specialist with the City of Clearwater said “The CAA’s work in sponsoring public art exhibitions such as Pianos in Pinellas, Youth Arts Month and the City’s ‘Sculpture360: Art in the Cleveland Street District’ has contributed to a wealth of public art opportunities throughout Clearwater, bringing art to citizens who might not venture into a traditional gallery or museum.” (piano pictured above) CAA’s Friends of the Arts program provides recognition those who have given financial support to the CAA, and have stayed in touch through CAA newsletters, e-blast and invitations. CAA President Beth Daniels says, “We want our Friends to be aware of community-related arts activities, of arts advocacy issues and opportunities and to keep them abreast of CAA projects and activities. These are residents that know that the arts are essential to our community and that we can work with to show that the arts promote economic vitality, prepare our students for success, enhance our appeal as a tourist destination, and improve our quality of life.” How does this help CAA with the main goal of supporting the arts? The Friends program supports initiatives such as The Public Schools Arts Teacher Funding Program for both classroom and school-wide projects and artist residencies in Clearwater; The Student Arts Awards and art exhibitions in public buildings; orchestra and choral concerts performed by Pinellas students at Ruth Eckerd Hall; and cultural tourism- including interactive art such as the Pianos in Pinellas, public art installations, exhibitions and events. Pinellas County has transitioned from a destination for retirees to a healthy business economy, an active cultural environment and vibrant tourism destination. The arts have played an integral part in this renaissance and in maintaining the quality of life that our citizens expect. The County now has an opportunity to enhance their Strategic Plan that includes goal The Board of County Commissioners May 12 agenda includes an item that addresses funding the arts with additional dollars and public support. With the downturn in the economy and loss of tax revenue in the budget, Pinellas County departments were scaled back, and the Cultural Affairs division was closed in 2011. This was a shortsighted decision given the miniscule portion devoted to arts and culture in the total budget. In its place the County established Creative Pinellas, formed as a 501(c)(4) entity and designated as our county’s local arts agency, with a limited vision and minimal support from the County. It now exists with approximately $35,000 annual income generated from the sales of the State of the Arts license plate. CP struggles with 1 full-time director and an additional part-time employee. As the economy rebounded, the Commission at an arts workshop voted unanimously to explore a potential funding increase and assigned Creative Pinellas to explore the potential and develop a proposal. The arts impact health, social development, and business. They are an economic driver, attracting business, tourists, highly skilled workers and creative thinkers. As one example of the kind of impact arts organizations have, Ruth Eckerd Hall (a 501(c)(3)): spends $5 million in advertising in and out of the area per year, its audiences and artists use 45,000 hotel rooms per year; its audiences spend nearly $10 million on event-related activities such as dining in the area, and it reaches over 28,000 students per year with arts education experiences. Incorporating the arts into education mitigates social problems that cost the community in the long term. They engage students in learning, develop problem-solving skills, contribute to higher test scores and are integral to preparing the whole child for success and productivity. Investing in the arts now can reduce various social problems that the county may have to pay for later. They support workforce development, reduce truancy, dropout rates and juvenile delinquency. They contribute to revitalization of blighted downtowns and neighborhoods and create civic dialogue that addresses divisions thatinfluence our diverse populations. Significantly, an investment by the county can reduce barriers to access and participation in arts resources caused by age, ethnicity, poverty, and geographic location in underserved areas. Creative Pinellas, in response to the Commissions directive, coordinated a series of public input sessions, advisory group meetings and dedicated research to produce a proposal for additional county-wide support and funding for art and culture. Although the final proposal is not yet public, there are concerns that it is inadequate to address the communities’ needs. Commissioners will vote during their upcoming 2016 budget session, and we are recommending further attention to the current structure of this Local Arts Agency and the amount of funding that is being considered. We recommend $1.5 million in funding, support for a Local Arts Agency in scale with the size and needs of Pinellas County and incorporating a more representative county framework. Currently Pinellas contributes zero general funds and is woefully behind other County’s of similar demographics. Creative Pinellas also leave dollars on the table in government and foundation grants that a properly designated LAA can access. We are asking that the public and the county government bring the advantages of the arts to the foreground and endorse government’s role in providing key support.