Local artists and organizations will attend an annual art forum today to discuss low art-program funding and their still-decreasing budgets.
The Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board is holding its second annual Arts Forum today at the Thomas Center for the Arts at 5:30 p.m.
Art programs receive very little county and state funding, and Alachua County organizations are preparing for more budget cuts this summer, said Margie Roland, staff specialist of the Division of Cultural Affairs of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
The Gainesville Association for Creative Arts offers programs to thousands of elementary and secondary school students.
The organization offers scholarships to students in low-income families, said executive director William Eyerly.
Eyerly added the state only funds 5 percent of the association’s budget.
He will discuss funding for an arts bus that will drive students who do not have transportation to after-school programs at today’s forum.
“Transportation is the biggest factor for stress,” Eyerly said. “Even if kids win scholarships, their parents can’t get them to class.”
Eyerly plans to raise about $20,000 for the bus through donations collected at performances the association hosts.
