In an effort to re-define Florida’s cultural and art climate, the Florida Department of State and the Florida Arts Council have hired Partners for Livable Communities to help develop collaborations and partnerships between arts and cultural organizations and public and private organizations. This yearlong ‘visioning project’ began in November 2003 when the Florida Arts Council recognized the growing need for future alliances in three major areas; strengthening the economy, learning and wellness and design and development.

In July, Partners facilitated three meetings in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami on the topic issues above. Local Floridians spoke of their success with arts and culture in their communities and three national speakers, Mayor William Johnson of Rochester, NY, former Mayor of Louisville David Armstrong and Carol Coletta, Knight Fellow and President of Coletta and Co. shared their insight on the importance of arts and culture and the positive impacts on a community and state. Businessmen and women, architects, planners, politicians, professors, arts council members and the general public attended the meetings.

The next meeting will take place in Orlando in August. This meeting is primarily for arts and cultural organizations to discuss the July forums and which collaborations and partnerships are most feasible.

From these findings, Partners will create a final paper that will be presented by Secretary of State Glenda E. Hood in November of this year to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Fall Leadership Institute in Orlando.

For more information, please go to florida-arts.org or contact Elli Dalrymple at Partners at (202) 887-5990 x14 or by email at edalrymple@livable.com

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