Comments on: County targets cultural groups in budget cuts

By: Coleman Torgrimson

Coleman Torgrimson — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:06:55 +0000

How can I to learn more and more available and effective skills ?

By: Luz Jose Daorerk

Luz Jose Daorerk — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:20:25 +0000

It’s depressing hearing all the cuts going on.Why Arts should suffer? It’s for our children,our future. Please dont let them feel the pain. Let’s give them a good present for a better future.

By: Therese Broderick

Therese Broderick — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:08:16 +0000

When Barack Obama was inaugurated on January 20, 2009, he included the superb poet Elizabeth Alexander in his ceremony. During one of our worst economic recessions, Mr. Obama knew that millions of disheartened Americans would be uplifted by the art of poetry. On that day, the Palm Beach Poetry Festival gathered poets attending the festival (from around the USA and world) to watch the inauguration, televised within the Old School Square Cultural Arts Center. I was there. It was one of the most inspirational moments of the many conferences and workshops which I have attended.
Please don’t say “No” to the arts, or to poetry, or to your local poetry festival. Instead, say, “Yes, we can.”

(P.S. I, too, spent hundreds of dollars while at the conference — Colony hotel, meals, clothing gifts, taxi, books, groceries.)

By: tricia louderback

tricia louderback — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:11:37 +0000

I am so tired of all the cuts being made this year and in past years I believe we should fight for this program and other programs not just for our community but for the children. Our kids have enough problems with bullies and self esteem that taking away from the children would once again be a much bigger problem. There are lots of families just trying to make it in this world and trying to keep a positive attitude in the homes that we need a outlet for families to go out and enjoy a few hours or days to relax and enjoy a day or weekend to see the beauty in our kids that want to be proud of themselfs and have other see what they are capable of being

By: George Longenecker

George Longenecker — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:03:47 +0000

The cut in funding to the arts in Palm Beach County is lamentable. The arts are priceless. In Palm Beach County arts funding reaches those who might never be served by the arts and artists. However there are tangible returns. I attended the 2009 Palm Beach Poetry Festival in Delray Beach. Like other attendees, I visited restaurants, shopped, staying in lodging and spent money on transportation. To cut money for the arts is shortsighted both the economy and to the many residents, businesses and visitors who benefit from the arts in Palm Beach County. I urge the County Commissioners to retain funding.
George Longenecker
Marshfield, VT

By: Lynn Eifler

Lynn Eifler — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:12:11 +0000

The arts are so much more than just fun “extra-curricular” activities for kids. Studies have shown the amazing benefits of an arts education which include keeping kids engaged in school and less likely to drop out, teaching kids to be more tolerant and open, improving the academic performance of children, developing skills such as problem solving, teamwork, effective communication, etc. Support for the arts is a necessity at this time!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:48:53 +0000

My husband and I particpated for the first time at the street painting festival this past year and it was an amazing experience. We have gone in years past to walk around and see all the artist beautiful work. I understand the economic time and buget cuts but I think to take this away from the community at this time would do more harm then good. The street painting festival is a great time for artist and the community to come together and make beautiful art. Also, this brings alot of business to local vendors and restaurants. Please don’t take this away from the community!!

By: Janine Silva

Janine Silva — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:17:43 +0000

I am a teacher in the Glades area. I have been bringing groups of students to participate in the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival for the last 5 years. We usually pick a piece that supports what we are learning about in my class or club. Not only do the students get to share their knowledge of poetry or Sea Turtles (two pieces we have done in the past) with passers by, but they get to create a masterpiece that they will remember forever. Please don’t take this awesome event away! Give our students a chance to express themselves through art!

By: Latonya

Latonya — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:58:48 +0000

PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE! Don’t allow your future, our children to suffer for our economical mishaps. They desired a chance at what we had and what should be forever, the arts. Please continue to fund them our future depends on it!

By: Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:54:32 +0000

“It’s about 1-in-3,” said County Commission Chairman Jeff Koons. “I’m an advocate for this program, and I think it’s good for Palm Beach County. Those cultural institutions are valuable for us. But we get thousands of e-mails to cut the budget and only hundreds of e-mails to support the program. It’s really tough.”

I find this statement very hard to believe. How could there be thousands of people who want to cut funding for great outdoor gatherings like Lake Worth’s Street Painting Festival and Delray’s Garlic Fest? Thousands of people enjoy these FREE-to-the-public events. Children get to express themselves through art on the streets of Lake Worth. Vendors get to sell their wares on the streets of Delray. It seems like a win-win for the South Florida community. If these events do disappear, I’m sure the thousands who have not spoken up for these events will speak out against them being taken away. As the saying goes…you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone!

By: Poppi Mercier

Poppi Mercier — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:13:24 +0000

In Sunday’s paper, I was quoted as saying; “The philosophy is that we can get money elsewhere, that there are other avenues for us to take to get this money. But there isn’t.” Not exactly what I said, but to have our story brought to the general public, as well as this forum, is very much appreciated. It’s not that we don’t look for other support. It’s that Palm Beach County’s support is fundamental. We actively pursue the private sector and it is an important portion of our income for programming. However, even those with multi-year relationships are experiencing diminshing dollars or offering in-kind instead. Program support through the County sends a POSITIVE SIGNAL to the private sector that “doing business” with these organizations is viable, revitalizes communities and is economically beneficial. We are asking the Palm Beach County Commissioners to instruct administration to include C-1 arts funding in the budget and not terminate it at the grassroots level.

By: Janice Pulve

Janice Pulve — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:52:27 +0000

The Palm Beach County Cultural Council has provided funds for this program on an annual basis. They have helped make it possible to bring artists in to work with the children and teens in our Domestic Violence program, giving many of them a way to reach and express their feelings and find a voice through the arts. The arts in Safety Net have been a central part of the healing process for many of our clients and a way for them to showcase their creative talents at our annual art show. I think it is shameful that the County does not acknowledge the importance of the arts in the lives of everyone in the community- especially children. Creative expression is an essential tool in child development. A life without art robs us of imagination – silencing the rhythm of life and the muting the colors of our world.

By: Abby

Abby — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:52:44 +0000

I am an art teacher in an elementary school and for the past seven years my students have participated in the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival. It is an amazing event where children can draw on the street right along side professional artists. It costs them nothing and no judgement is made about their work. The confidence it has built in my students is priceless. I know this because every one of the returns the following year. Some as observers and others as participants. Most of them have never seen artists at work. PLEASE do not take away funding for these incredible programs!

By: Laure-Anne Bosselaar

Laure-Anne Bosselaar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:11:13 +0000

My husband and I are both poets, and have participated in the The Palm Beach Poetry FestivaI in one way or another for the last 4 years. Each year we look forward to January: impatient to get some sun and mild blue skies after cold and dark months of New York City winters. During our stays in Palm Beach we stay in a hotel with many other poets and/or participants, go out to lunch and dinners, buy books, clothes, and very much enjoy going to the lectures, readings and other events at the Festival, where we also get to meet new friends from the Palm Beach community. I have recommended Festival to many of my students, and some have now become “regulars” at the Conference. All this is culturally and economically POSITIVE for the Palm Beach community and culture. This profits everyone. And I mean everyone. Please continue giving them your support.

By: Marjorie Schnabel

Marjorie Schnabel — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:59:18 +0000

I have lived in Palm Beach County for over thirty years, contributing to the community as a public health nurse and private entrepreneur in education. The Palm Beach County Poetry Festival has, beyond all events, been meaningful for me. Art is our place for personal and public expression. It defines,emboldens,and vivifies our community. It brings visitors and accomplished artists to our home. How could you eliminate events that speak so well for us, and that add so much to our lives? It is the elevation of spirit that will help us get through a rough economy. Support for the arts is a necessity at this time.

By: Dennis Stickley

Dennis Stickley — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:59:14 +0000

I have been doing the street painting festival since I moved to FL in 1998.I have family and friends that travel to the area just for this event. Also many friends that don’t normally come to lake worth come just to spend days and money in this area.
It is good for the adult artists as well as the schools that participate.
I think to stop the st painting festival in lake worth would hurt the income that this even brings even just in 3 days, also new people that come there see all the clubs and stores and come back again. It would also take away from many family time spent together whether it be working on paintings, volunteering or just visiting the event. As well as the educational aspect of the st painting festivals, adults and children get to learn of all the artists new and old from new paintings to recreations. I think it would be a shame to stop this event in any way.

By: warren

warren — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:58:48 +0000

hi i have been doing the street painting festival 8 years this is the highlight of my year since i have moved out of the area and me and my freidns still manage to travel back to lake worth to do the festival it is a real shame that the econimy is doing so bad but to cut funding to the few things that stimulate income to venders and shops of your town is foolish not only to mention the joy it brings to the artist and vistitors alike

By: Marie-Elizabeth Mali

Marie-Elizabeth Mali — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:14:21 +0000

January 2010 will be the fourth year in a row that I will attend the Palm Beach Poetry Festival. I’ve stayed locally and eaten out every year. The festival is the only thing that brings me to the area and it would be a shame for it, and other essential programs, to lose funding.

Each year, two renowned performance poets go into two local high schools and perform for them, an experience those kids would not have except for the festival’s commitment to the community.

I hope the Cultural Council will continue to be committed to Palm Beach County’s enrichment through the arts. We, as a nation, empoverish our future by underfunding creative endeavors, the primary things that humanize us.

By: Mike O'Mara

Mike O'Mara — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:54:15 +0000

We vote and we support the arts.

By: Gilda Kreuter

Gilda Kreuter — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:01:43 +0000

I am a poet and volunteeer at the Cornell Museum in Delray Beach-
The Poetry Festival and all the arts are important to Palm Beach County. They maintain the cultural aspect of South Florida. Our museums, theatres and festivals are most important to the life of the County and to Florida, and to the many tourists and residents of these locales. To be without the arts, i.e., music,
poetry, museums, would be devastating.

By: Peggy Scott

Peggy Scott — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:14:50 +0000

If you are at all concerned with crime rates escalating, how do you justify taking away cultural programs? Especially the Lake Worth Street Painting festival. As an adult taxpayer and participant in street painting, I have yet to come across a festival where participants create so much beauty for no reward other than the joy of seeing others appreciate their effort. The spirit of encouragement, cooperation and camaraderie between artist and viewer is like no other. Take away the street painting and thousands of people who are never exposed to the arts due to budget restrictions, never will be. And that would be another crime.

By: James Scruton

James Scruton — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:12:28 +0000

As the article mentions, and as several people have pointed out in their responses, the economic impact of arts funding should not be underestimated. I had never heard of Delray Beach, Florida, prior to attending the Palm Beach Poetry Festival in January 2006. Not only have I been back every year since (spending at least as much while here as the average festival-goer!), but my wife and I have returned at other times of the year for various arts and cultural events. The playhouses, Old School Square & Cultural Arts Center, the various galleries–all benefit in countless ways the community as well as visitors like us. But, of course, some things CAN be counted: Every study I know of cites a $3-$7 return for each dollar in arts funding. Why any locality would risk such economic activity is beyond me.

By: Tamim Latham

Tamim Latham — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:54:05 +0000

I have participated in the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival for the past 3 years. It has been an incredible experience each and every year. As an adult it is an amazing weekend of letting my creative juices flow and doing what I love, Art. But the thing that has impressed me the most is watching what the children and young adults are doing. The talent they possess is incredible! It is a joy to watch them so hard at work, covered from head to toe in a rainbow of chalk, and beaming with pride at what they have just created! It would be a travesty to loose this, or ANY, creative outlet for our youth. It is so vitally important in their lives. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without the presence of the Arts. It helped give me a focus and keep me grounded all through school. It would be truly unfortunate to lose funding for these projects that are not only fun but definitely educational!

By: Taxpayer

Taxpayer — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:50:17 +0000

The arts are of utmost importance to expose our children and families to. If the Palm Beach County Commision did their research many “fluff funds” would be found throughout many divisions of the county. Most likely they don’t even have an exact number of shortfall and cut before they acquire all facts and numbers. CAN YOU SAY TERM LIMITS ACROSS THE BOARD.

By: Dorianne Laux

Dorianne Laux — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:46:08 +0000

I have visited Palm Beach five times in the last several years, and it has always been to participate in or attend an arts program of one kind or another. During my visits I often rent a car, stay in a hotel, take my breakfast, lunch or dinner at a local restaurant, shop in the local stores, and attend events where I buy books or art. Multiply this by the thousands like me who visit each year and you have a thriving economy as well as an enriched, enlivened and diverse local culture. The Palm Beach Poetry Festival is just one such arts organization that has introduced me to the beauty of Florida. These organizations are at the heart of your community. Please give them your support.