Washington, D.C.—Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, in conjunction with the National Association of Counties (NACo) presented the 2013 National Award for County Arts Leadership to Broward County, FL’s Board of Commissioners yesterday. The Board of Commissioners received the award at NACo’s annual conference, being held this year in Ft. Worth, TX.

Broward County Board of County Commissioners continues to be a strong leader in using the arts to promote the County and stimulate its economy. The National Award for County Arts Leadership honors an elected county board or individual leader who has significantly advanced the arts in the communities they serve. Americans for the Arts established the award in 1999 to recognize the positive role county government leaders play in improving arts programs, increasing funding to the arts and making the arts accessible in their communities.

“The Board of Commissioners in Broward County are dedicated leaders with an exemplary record of supporting the arts,” said Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Their continued efforts to expand the value proposition of the arts and culture are a testament to their understanding of the vital role the arts play in building community.”

The Board of Commissioners has created seven Vision and Goal Statements in its 20-Year Plan for the County including one that focuses on arts and culture: A Community with Accessible, Vibrant Arts and Culture, Recreation and Learning Opportunities.

In 2012, a consortium of a seven-county mega-region in South Florida received a $4.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to use artistic communities as a driving force for growth and development. The grant creates a plan that would improve regional housing, land use, economic and workforce development and transportation, through the year 2060 and is believed to be the first time a HUD grant has be used primarily for arts and culture.

Further, the Board of County Commissioners also worked on an initiative called CreativeBROWARD 2020, a 10-year community cultural plan for cultural and economic development in Broward County. The plan examines the cultural tapestry of Broward County through its diversity, and connects specifically to the creative economy, cultural tourism, and public art and design. Through a steering committee and various task forces, more than 100 residents, businessmen and women, artists, architects, cultural leaders and residents helped shape this visionary plan.

CreativeBROWARD 2020 is the result of 18 months of research that includes the perspectives of more than 1,000 citizen participants, through online and community forum surveys. The result is a plan with 49 recommendations that is a shared community vision that comes directly from the citizens of Broward County.

 “The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is very inspired to be the recipient of this prestigious award, as we are the only county in Florida to receive it; and we have now received it twice!” says Commissioner Martin David Kiar. “We feel honored and humbled that our passion and work in the arts and cultural development of our community is recognized, and more importantly, paying off.”

 “At a time when the arts have been closely scrutinized, along with all the other assets of communities across America and the globe, it is reassuring to know that good work, in the right places can have measurable results—through this award,” says Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca. “The nurturing of arts and culture is good work in the right places, and with Broward County centrally-located in the South Florida arena, we look both north and south to share our ideas and gain expertise from our regional counterparts to continue to build in unity and quality of life.”

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

Contact:
Graham Dunstan
646-652-1119
[email protected]
@AFTAPress