Cities, Businesses, Locals and Municipalities Are Stepping Up to Support Organizations and Venues – Including Arts Garage
This past summer, the news out of Tallahassee that reported the cutting of $32 million in Cultural and Museum grants ricocheted throughout the arts community in the State of Florida. This decision directly and significantly impacted many arts organizations throughout the state, forcing some to cut back offerings and operations in response to the massive state funding veto. Locally, Arts Garage in Delray Beach is no stranger to the immense impact of fiscal management in the midst of sudden crises, having been through both a large turnaround in 2017 and successfully making it through Covid-19 amid the shutdown and new protocols.
Arts Garage, which has received grant support from the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs for the past nine years, was anticipating similar funding for 2024 – 2025. After a cultural grant scoring panel determined Arts Garage was eligible for up to $150,000, it was quite a shock when the venue received zero dollars from the state for its budget. Not wanting to resort to layoffs or position eliminations, CEO and President of Arts Garage, Marjorie Waldo, turned to the community for support – and the community answered. Their ‘Call to Action’ campaign ran from July 22nd through September 6th and was a huge success – but they still need help.
Arts Garage is steadfast in its commitment to provide access to the Arts for everyone. This belief is at the core of Arts Garage’s mission: to connect our community to the world through the Arts. One of the standout features of Arts Garage is its dedication to accessibility. Annually, the venue provides over 1,000 free tickets to those who cannot afford to purchase their own to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from experiencing the magic of the arts. Its new Artists-in-Residence (AiR) series provides arts and culture enrichment and engagement opportunities for youth, underserved community members, lifelong learners and the community at large through master classes, workshops, lectures and other unique experiences. These initiatives are a testament to Arts Garage’s philosophy that art should be enjoyed by all, regardless of economic status.
Although Arts Garage’s vision is to connect our community to the world through the arts, its programming means even more to the community and its impact extends far beyond its programming. Arts Garage had a total economic impact of over $2.5 million last year, contributing over $88,000 in local government revenue and $115,000 in state government revenue. Over the past year, Arts Garage created 71.7 full-time equivalent jobs, and a $1,629,637 impact on household incomes. Additionally, the venue drives the local economy as audiences are more likely to patronize the shops and restaurants of Delray Beach and explore everything its thriving downtown has to offer. In fact, an average of 46% of the 23,000+ ticket holders report visiting local restaurants, shops, and bars before or after the show – generating conservatively $420k+ to local businesses each year.
Arts Garage relies on its current partnership with the City of Delray Beach and the commitment of funding from the Community Redevelopment Agency of Delray Beach (CRA) to support Arts Garage and its programming. This partnership and other fundraising efforts including benefit concerts, contributions from performing artists, and an initial email campaign have all helped Arts Garage to overcome this most recent budget scare. But there is more work to be done.
Arts Garage’s 2024 Annual Campaign launches on November 15, 2024, and long-time supporters of Arts Garage Helen Rothlein and James White of The Compass Group at Morgan Stanley have already kicked off fundraising efforts with a challenge donation of $10,000. Please visit 2024 Annual Campaign – Arts Garage to learn more and donate.
Arts Garage remains committed to connecting the community to the world through the Arts.
Its programs bring local, emerging artists as well as established global performers into our multicultural community for students and adults, locals and tourists, and people of all ages, income levels, backgrounds to enjoy. And with our support, it can stay that way.
