I normally do not write requesting support for anything. TCP is about bringing art to the community. The Rock & Gem Club and Treasure Coast Pottery are the only two art studios in Port St. Lucie, a big county! We HAVE NOTHING ELSE! We cannot become a cultural desert! Please support the SLCA! The County has removed from the current budget the funding for this organization to continue. The County wants to defund the SLCA by completely eliminating the operational budget of $150K it has been providing over the past several years. This will, in essence, shut it down. Organizations such as these are vital to the cultural enrichment of a community. Please show your support in any way you can, write a letter, show up in person on Thursday, September 5th: PLEASE HELP!
Here is a sample letter to send to the commissioners:
Here is the link to get their email addresses:
[DATE]
St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to express my strong support for the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance and to advocate for the continuation of its funding in the upcoming county budget. The SLCA is the only art organization in the community and plays an invaluable role enriching the cultural St. Lucie County and visitors to the treasure coast.
The County’s investment in the Alliance in recent years has yielded extraordinary returns, allowing residents and visitors alike to benefit from a vibrant cultural scene at an exceptionally minimal cost. The Alliance’s work has not only enhanced the quality of life for our residents but also contributed to the local economy by fostering partnerships, supporting local businesses, and attracting tourists to our area.
Despite its modest size, the Alliance has managed to organize many free community events, maintain The Vault Gallery, curate exhibitions county-wide like at the Oxbow Preserve, and administer grants to offer free activities and programs in St. Lucie. These efforts, combined with initiatives like Art Walk, have established St. Lucie County as a cultural destination while driving economic growth.
However, recent developments have put the future of the Alliance at risk. The veto of arts and culture funds in the State, coupled with the proposal to remove arts and culture funding from the county budget, threatens to undo the progress that has been made.
Given the significant contributions of the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance to our community and the relatively small investment required to sustain its operations, I ask the Board of County Commissioners to preserve the $150,000 in annual funding for the Alliance. This amount represents less than 0.02% of the county’s total budget and less than $0.40 per resident—an incredibly modest price to pay for the cultural wealth and economic benefits the Alliance provides.
I respectfully ask that the Board consider the long-term value of supporting arts and culture in St. Lucie County. The St. Lucie Cultural Alliance is not just an organization; it is a cornerstone of our community, and its continued vitality is essential to the well-being of our residents and the prosperity of our local economy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Organization, if applicable]
[Your Contact Information]
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