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                                                      Arts & Culture





                                         KEEPING THE















              A season of improv for
              cultural organizations and the

              audiences who miss them

                   roward County cultural and arts events are more
                   than just seasonal fun these days, enhancing our
              Btourism mecca and attracting fans of all ages to the
              area to attend local theater, beachfront music festivals, live
              jazz, food & wine events. According to the Broward
              Cultural Affairs Division, the largest supporter and funder
              of local artists organizations, the impact of spending by
              nonprofit arts and cultural organizations is far reaching.
              “Sixty three percent of nonresident- survey -respondents
              indicated that the primary purpose of their visit to Broward
              County was “specifically to attend this arts/cultural event.”
              Whether serving the local community or out-of-town
              visitors, a vibrant arts and culture industry helps our local
              economy thrive. Funding for the arts during the pandemic,
              however, has been imperiled. Congress is now
              considering the Save our Stages Act or #THESOSACT,  a
              bill authorizing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to
              make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers,                                      photo by Jason Nuttle
              promoters, or talent representatives to address the
              economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus   CEO since 2009, Kelley Shanley has led the Broward
              disease 2019) pandemic on certain live venues.        Center to stratospheric levels of success. The Broward
                                                                    Center hosts an annual audience of more than 600,000
              This season needs art patrons like no other. Local    people, working with an estimated $58 million budget
              sponsors, community trust donors and supporting members  and contributing more than $90 million to the local
              have stepped in to share resources, waive grant       economy. Finishing 2019 with the highest grossing
              requirements and renew membership; others are sharing  season, thanks to national tours of Tony award-winning
              resources, providing health guidance for staff, facility  shows like "Hamilton”, Broward Center was able to move
              upgrades and advice for safely reopening venues.
                                                                    ahead with renovations of the historic Parker Playhouse
              I sat down with Broward Center for the Performing Arts  and continue as a provider of arts education for local
              CEO, Kelley Shanley, to discuss how he and other key  students. Broward Center has stayed true to a community
              leaders nationwide are responding to the threat of    commitment of connecting artists with audiences through
              coronavirus and its’ impact on the creative economy.  performance and education.



          16                                     rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com
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