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The Volusia County Council has voted to restore more than $571,000 in arts and cultural funding that was pulled last fall, but also voted to end the county’s cultural grant program after this year.
The 5-2 vote on March 3 gives 31 arts organizations their funding back for the current year. As we reported previously, the grants were frozen in October after a councilman raised concerns about providing funding to venues that hosted LGBTQ programming, including Pride events and drag shows. Two theaters, the Athens and Shoestring, voluntarily withdrew from the grant cycle so that other organizations could secure their funding, knowing their programming could draw objections from the council.
The decision to eliminate the grants going forward was driven largely by concern over the recently passed proposal to ask voters this November if they would like to eliminate non-school property taxes on homestead properties. Council members said that if approved by voters, the amendment could significantly reduce county revenue for roads, stormwater management, and fire protection, leaving little room for discretionary cultural spending.
Council Chair Jeff Brower voted yes but made clear he did so reluctantly. “I support the arts. I live in a household full of artists,” he said. “But for me, the government does not have the moral authority to take money from our residents from around the county and hand it to another business. I’ll change my mind this year, because I want a clean break on this.”
The meeting drew roughly two hours of public comment, most of it in support of permanent restoration. Advocates included families, veterans, and community members who spoke to the role arts programming plays in education and daily life. The council’s yes votes included Councilman Jake Johansson, who cited his experience as a veteran using painting to manage the stress of military life, and Councilman Don Dempsey, who credited his love of literature with steering him toward a career in law.
For the 31 organizations receiving funding this year, it is a reprieve. What happens after that remains unresolved.
