From Jesse Coleman, General Manager of WSLR+Fogartyville
Hello,
I am writing to update you on the disheartening news we received Wednesday morning. The Sarasota County Commission has cut funding to WSLR+Fogartyville from the Tourist Development CulturalGrant recommended by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.
This is devastating.This decision limits our ability to provide the community with the world-class talent that you have come to expect.
Their decision did not come as a surprise to us. We became aware during last year’s funding process that Commissioner Mike Moran would be challenging our TDC funding. That did not happen in 2023, instead, the Commission decided to restructure the criteria by which grants would be awarded.
New panelists and new criteria were established, and we stepped up as an organization, submitting a proposal that met their requirements.
Based on their discussions with Commissioners, Arts Alliance staff shared with us that there was no way WSLR would be receiving funding this year no matter what the grants panel decided.
The panelists reviewed WSLR+Fogartyville’s application and we scored strongly on the rubric, garnering a 93.11 and a recommendation to fund the request at 90% for $27,822.33.
Ignoring the panel’s recommendation, Commissioner Neunder singled out WSLR and Embracing Our Differences as falling short of an unexplained ‘litmus test’, and Commissioner Rainford then added Avenida De Colores’ Chalk Festival to the chopping block.
The only reasoning the Commissioners gave was that these organizations offer events that are open to the public and do not have ticketed entry for reporting purposes.
This does not apply to us. Fogartyville offered 66 world-class ticketed concerts in the 2023-2024 season and our ticketed customers completed required reporting surveys. The Commissioner’s stated objections are bogus.
This decision was a brazen political maneuver. It was not made based on the quality of offerings or the applications not meeting the criteria. Fogartyville, Embracing our Differences, and the Chalk Festival are committed to being inclusive, and welcoming diverse artist perspectives.
This County Commission continues to undermine the integrity of its own processes, just as we have seen them do to child care and mental health funding. They have ignored the work of the citizen-led advisory councils set up by the commission themselves.
We hope that everyone who appreciates live music and other forms of creative expression will stand with us as we continue to amplify the voices of our diverse community and promote peace, sustainability, democracy, and economic and social justice.
We need your help now to make up for this huge loss. Keep Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center bringing unparalleled programming to Sarasota County by donating today.
MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT FOGARTYVILLE
In community,
Jesse Coleman
General Manager
WSLR+Fogartyville
Below we have a draft email you can send your County Commissioners to voice your opposition to this defunding:
Mike Moran -mmoran@scgov.net,
Mark Smith – mhsmith@scgov.net,
Neil Rainford – nrainford@scgov.net,
Joe Neunder – jneunder@scgov.net,
Ron Cutsinger -rcutsinger@scgov.net
Subject: Strong Opposition to Defunding Arts Programming at Fogartyville
Dear Sarasota County Commissioner,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the decision to defund arts programming at Fogartyville. This decision undermines the cultural and economic health of our community. Fogartyville has provided essential, diverse, and enriching arts programs that many in our community value and rely on.
The arts are not expendable. Defunding these programs disregards their significant contributions to our community. I urge you to reconsider this decision and restore funding immediately.
Our community deserves better, and we will not remain silent as you remove vital resources.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]