I originally wrote the following editorial, which was published in the Jupiter Courier, in 2014. Nearly 10 years have passed and nothing has changed. No. That is a lie. A lot has changed… for the worse. For many reasons, not the least of which are the dwindling economy and lingering covid over-reaction, the arts are slowly dying. Local, state and federal governments do not recognize the value the arts bring to their communities.
Here, in Florida, the word “arts” generates images of films with degenerate messages and worthless storylines. Considering what comes out of Hollywood, that might not be too far from the truth. However, movies are not the “arts.” True art strengthens the creative capacity of the mind with offerings of music, painting, dance and acting in live performance.
During appropriation season, our state legislators do not bother to look beyond a simple three-letter word to see the magnitude of offerings many arts organizations — those small, inconspicuous groups - bring to their constituents thereby enhancing the quality to their lives. I will voice my disappointment when the next election cycle rolls around.
In 2010, as Managing Director of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre, I began attending monthly meetings of a local cultural alliance. This was/is an organization of arts related non-profits, each of which bring the residents of Palm Beach County and, in particular, those living north of West Palm Beach, an opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide and varied selection of entertainment offerings – all at an affordable price.
Four years prior, being new to the world of non-profits, I did not realize the struggle these organizations faced year after year to raise much needed funding. An albatross named Advertising and Marketing continually circled over their efforts, threatening to slap an Out of Business sign on their doors. You probably think, as I did, that the solution was relatively simple. Pick up the phone and place an ad in one of our local papers or buy ad space on local television/radio. Certainly, paid advertising would get these organizations the attention and revenues they needed to survive.
Oh, that it was so easy. To advertise, one needs money. Money is earned by ticket sales. Tickets are sold only if the general public knows the what/when/where of an event. To notify the public, one must advertise. We are back to needing money. Most small non-profits have little, if any, money available for advertising. A Catch 22 if ever there was one.
NOTE: Four years ago, as Executive Director of the Palm Beach Institute for the Entertainment Arts, I asked an editor at the Palm Beach Post why they never covered our shows and events. You can quote me because I am positive the answer I received was, “No one cares what goes on in North Palm Beach.”
Here we have the most prominent local newspaper in our community — one which is struggling to keep ink on a page — and they turn a blind eye to quality offerings because traveling 20 minutes north from West Palm Beach to North Palm Beach would be an effort for the reporter. Ask me how quickly I canceled my subscription to the Post.
At each monthly meeting I attended, members of this cultural group discussed their struggle to find affordable ways to inform the viewing audience of what was being planned for their enjoyment. We were lucky that among our members were two very supportive news sources – the Jupiter Courier and Florida Weekly. Without these two laudable publications, many wonderful organizations would be just a memory by now.
NOTE: The Jupiter Courier ceased publication in 2019. My heart still hurts for this great loss. Both the magazine and its editor, Brightman Brock, were a gift to our community.
Not all non-profits struggle to get their message heard. Some venues are owned by wealthy, influential individuals or corporations with the financial resources to keep their venues afloat. Some have large donor and sponsor membership lists – people who show support year after year by contributing to building funds and buying ticket subscriptions. Some -- but not most.
In the latter part of 2013, I attended SmartBiz, which was a collaborative effort of PNC Bank and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. The event was intended to increase awareness of the importance arts and culture play in the success of local business. Representatives from, at least, 200 non-profits attended and each representative I spoke with voiced frustration regarding the lack of support from residents and businesses in their community. I got the feeling that if I had thrown a dollar bill into the air, a flash mob would quickly form so desperate was their need to raise money.
Grants are available from various sources but they offer limited help to those few lucky enough to be awarded the funds. In the current economic downturn, fewer grants are available and those that are still supportive of the arts are giving less. For the most part, ticket sales are the bread and butter that feed the kitty and keep the ballet, opera, theater, concerts and art exhibits alive.
So, how do we sell tickets without the means to advertise?
I wish I had the answer. My hope with this post is to encourage all business enterprises in south Florida – lawyers, doctors, big corporations, mom and pop stores – to embrace the arts by looking beyond the bigger, more recognizable venues (you know who they are) and donating to the hidden jewels right outside their doors. Buy a ticket to a show and experience for yourself the talent that lives in your own neighborhood.
Arts and cultural organizations are vital to making and keeping a community strong, safe, and successful. You need look no further than your own city or town to find a worthy recipient of your largesse. The next time someone asks you for a donation, think about keeping your support at home. I guarantee you that within a few minutes driving time, a world of entertainment and beauty awaits you.
WHO WE ARE: Palm Beach Institute is more than a school and a theater. We are a haven in the storm of life for many struggling individuals. Some of our students live with the negative effects of a dysfunctional childhood, domestic abuse, rape, depression, divorce, life threatening medical issues, ADD, Asperger's syndrome, mental health issues and memory loss. We are giving a spotlight to people overcoming addictions and those who are neuro-diverse and divergent thinkers. We have welcomed Holocaust and civil war (Middle East/Europe) survivors, burn victims, unwed mothers, and a former priest who successfully dealt with the transition from religious life to domestic life. We are many things to many people... and we are proud of the role we play in bringing confidence and continuity to the lives of those in need.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT: Education through Entertainment and the ability to Live Your Dreams… Not Your Fears.
Donna Carbone is the Executive Director/Playwright in Residence at the Palm Beach Institute for the Entertainment Arts, where education through entertainment is the mission statement.
Please visit: pbinstituteforentertainmentarts.com