One More Art Job Saved! Stonewall Library & Archives Stays the Course
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5/13/2010 1:33:50 PM
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BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Broward Cultural Division distributed economic recovery funds to 17 arts organizations including Stonewall Library & Archives which directly affected the position of Executive Director Jack Rutland. With a professional staff of only two, Stonewall’s executive director plays a critical role in every aspect of the organization’s operation. This position was previously slated for elimination due to financial cut backs.
The Stonewall Library & Archives is an extraordinary publicly accessible cultural and educational resource that preserves, interprets and shares the remarkable heritage of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Serving as a significant role in building bridges of cultural understanding in the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community and beyond, the Stonewall Library & Archives provides a unique cultural and intellectual alternative through their collections, programs and services, while honoring and exploring the past and striving to engage, inform and inspire the next generation of community’s leaders.
In addition to managing the daily operation of the organization, Mr. Rutland serves as a team leader in marketing Stonewall to a diverse audience, increasing memberships and seeking community partnerships and support. He is also responsible for grant writing, program planning, advocacy, short and long range strategic planning and is actively involved in fund raising. All this saved, thanks to a grant, from the National Endowment for the Arts, and an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Through the economic stimulus package, Broward County’s Cultural Division received a $250,000 grant, and in turn, re-granted the funds through an ARRA Lifeline application process. These funds were specifically directed to restore jobs in the arts, endorsing the notion that the non-profit arts industry is an important sector of the economy.
Arts organizations had the opportunity to apply for funds to provide salary support for an existing staff member who would otherwise have been laid off; or to re-engage artistic/contracted services already let go. “This is a direct example of funds being channeled to retain jobs of cultural workers in Broward County and stimulate the economy,” said County Administrator Bertha Henry.
Even before the Obama Administration signed the ARRA into law on February 17, 2009, County staff was immediately mobilized to respond. The Broward Cultural Council as well as the Cultural Division moved quickly to execute these grants and distribute the funds to the cultural organizations. Also, a Broward County Stimulus Grants Coordination Office, www.broward.org/recovery was established for the purpose of centralizing the identification, development, review, approval and tracking for grants and contracts resulting from ARRA. The office is managed by Linda Ross, stimulus grants coordinator with Broward County.
For further information on the list of grantees, or this program, visit the Broward Cultural Division website; or contact Jim Shermer 954-357-7502; e-mail: jshermer@broward.org.
Art Works
NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman has laid out the guiding principle that will inform his work at the agency, which can be summed up in two words: “Art works.” See the Chairman’s blog at: http://www.arts.gov/artworks/ |
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