Thank you, Dan for posting this information. It is disconcerting to say the least that it appears that "Quality of Life" in the case of Florida's Strategic Plan only involves healthcare. This is not to say adequate healthcare for all people is not a top priority--it is. But the state has consistently cut funding to arts and culture by 92% over the past 4 years! Florida, a state that has a "Culture Coast" is receiving less and less support each year. Many small organizations, theaters, theatrical groups, arts education programs have died from the lack of support, especially those in underserved counties.
Arts and Culture is not fluff! What will it take to convince the state of the importance of arts and culture when it comes to economic stimulation, jobs, tourism, education, mental and physical health and so on so that it will restore arts funding? Arts organizations all around the state are teetering on the edge, struggling to find funds to continue to offer their programs to their communities. See Florida Cultural Alliance:
http://www.flca.net/images/2010_Sample_Talking_Points_2_12_2010.pdf
The Florida Holocaust Museum, for instance, is not a static history museum about the Holocaust. We not only provide a place for the public to learn about the Holocaust, we provide rotating and traveling art exhibitions by world-renowned artists in every artistic medium about the Holocaust, other genocides, and human rights atrocities, such as Darfur, Sudan, Rwanda, and others. We conduct statewide teacher training to help teacher meet the STATE MANDATE ON HOLOCAUST AND CHARACTER EDUCATION. We honor students who positively impact their communities. We conduct Genocide and Human Rights Awareness activities. We teach youth to be upstanders in their communities and to turn away from prejudice, racism, and intolerance.
People from all over the world visit the Florida Holocaust Museum. But we are an arts and culture organization and we need Florida's support, just as all arts and culture organizations do, and deservedly so.
Please do not diminish the value of arts and culture in our state and include arts and culture as a priority item in Florida's 2010 Business Agenda.
Thank you.
Lisa Moeller
Grants Manager/Legislative Liaison
Florida Holocaust Museum