City of Miami Beach Celebrates Recipients of 2004-2005 Cultural Arts Council Grants

September 28, 2004 -- The Cultural Arts Council in conjunction with the Mayor, City Commission and City Manager of the City of Miami Beach proudly announces a celebratory program during which recipients of next year's Cultural Arts Council grants program will be publicly acknowledged for their contribution to the artistic landscape of Miami Beach. The cultural awards program will take place on Wednesday, September 29 at 6 pm at the Byron Carlyle Theater, located at 500 71st St. in Miami Beach.

"As Mayor of the City of Miami Beach, I am proud to lead a City Commission that understands and supports the multi-faceted values of great, international culture in our community. The giving of these cultural grants makes it possible for residents and visitors to experience an array of artistic experiences that engage and excite throughout the year. We also believe in this ongoing investment because we know that the business of the arts is good business. We endorse the philosophy that the arts serve as an invaluable centerpiece in supporting the economy of our community and we are honored to play a leading role in that support," stated Mayor David Dermer, City of Miami Beach.

This event is the inaugural program of what will be an annual tradition through which the City of Miami Beach will not only recognize those cultural organizations that contribute so richly to the artistic landscape of the City, but also provide an opportunity for the City's leaders to ratify their commitment to the value of great art thriving as an integral part of daily life. This year, the cultural grant awards are approximately $600,000, reflect an unprecedented 20% increase from last year's awards. A portion of this grant funding goes to support a Cultural Tourism grant, administered in-full and funded, in-part, by the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority.

The grants program is a portion of a larger cultural investment which the City of Miami Beach makes annually in excess of $3.1 million in operating and programmatic support for cultural organizations located on the beach. Additionally, the City maintains an ongoing commitment to cultural capital funding for cultural facilities of more than $58 million.

"As the leaders of the City of Miami Beach, we believe that a healthy, rich, and vibrant cultural life in our town is an integral part of making Miami Beach a well-rounded community for residents and for visitors. We are proud to support the annual giving of these funds to the cultural organizations that grace the artistic venues of our City. We encourage our fellow citizens to partake of the broad scope of excellent performances, presentations and exhibitions that this financial support will make possible in the year ahead," commented Jorge Gonzalez, City Manager, City of Miami Beach.

A reception for the cultural award recipients will follow in the Byron Carlyle Theater lobby, where the general public is also invited to attend.




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