History
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In February 1995, the Cultural Council of Indian River County was incorporated in the State of Florida as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In March of that same year, the Indian River County Commission designated the CCIRC as the Local Arts Agency for Indian River County. The Cultural Council’s mission is “to nurture a cooperative environment in which cultural and educational organizations and individuals may thrive and thereby enrich the quality of life in Indian River County for all residents and visitors.” With the support of individuals and organizations throughout our area, the Cultural Council of Indian River County has been active in the community for many years.
The following is a reprint of an article that originally appeared in a 2005 newsletter, as we celebrated 10 years of service. Please visit our About Us page to learn more about what we’re up to these days.
Cultural Council Reaches a Milestone…10 Years in the Community
By Mary Jayne Kelly, Executive Director, Cultural Council of Indian River County
When milestones are reached, it is time to look back at where we have been and it is an occasion to reflect on where we are going. The Cultural Council received its license as a corporation from the State of Florida on February 8, 1995. Since that time, many community leaders have given of their time and money to help the organization fulfill its mission of nurturing a cooperative environment in which cultural and educational organizations and individuals may thrive and thereby enrich the quality of life in Indian River County for all residents and visitors.
Local government was one of the first to endorse a vote of confidence when the County Commission designated the Cultural Council as the Local Arts Agency on March 28, 1995. This designation brought prestige and a promise to the citizens of the county to adhere to State Statute 265.32 by stimulating greater and efficient use of governmental and private resources for the development and support of the arts, by facilitating opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in cultural activities. The Cultural Council promotes the development of artists, arts institutions and community organizations sponsoring arts activities.
Our bylaws, written in 1998, state that this organization exists to support, encourage, coordinate and promote excellence in activities and programs of organizations or individual providing services in the arts, sciences and humanities. The foundation was firmly rooted in advocacy, to streamline cultural information, to combine best efforts and to encourage cooperation among the many cultural organizations in our county.
Of course along the way, the organization needed to build a financial base. Membership dues were established and became a recurring source of income. Again, local county officials were instrumental in designating funds for salaries and later for Tourism Development. Donations from individuals and businesses, along with grants from private foundations helped to diversify the finances. The state awarded a yearly allocation grant for operating costs of the local arts agency through the Cultural Institutions Trust Fund and the Arts in Education Grant offset costs of bringing the Meet the Masters Program into elementary schools. The Children’s Services Advisory Committee funded a Cultural Summer Camp and After School Arts Program for children in need.
Driving the organization was a passion to bring arts and culture to the residents and visitors. Board Members, along with the Cultural Advisory Committee members and staff held a common belief that an individual’s life was greatly enhanced by participation in the arts, sciences or humanities. Especially important are the young people who benefited from encouragement of a latent talent that may have been uncovered during a lesson or a field trip.
Inspiration seems to be at the heart of the Cultural Council, to bring the experience of elation when creating a work of art, appreciating a performance of communing with nature. The part of human nature that seeks these experiences is what the Cultural Council wants to connect with the community groups that provide them.
Today, the Cultural Council continues to adapt to a new environment. New members are joining all the time, new alliances are forming and new venues to increase the awareness of the many cultural opportunities available here in Indian River County are being developed continuously. All this happens despite the dissolution of the Cultural Institutions Trust Fund and a three-year decline in funding from the state. Staff has been reduced by 50% in those three years, yet we continue to provide professional services.
As we reflect on where we are going, we plan to continue serving the county, as we consider it a privilege to be your local arts agency. Many of the founders of this organization cannot believe that ten years has gone by so quickly! The Board of Directors, staff and many committee members are all dedicated to the value of the services the Cultural Council provides and we pledge that we will do all that we can to be around for many more years. We welcome input from our members and others who may see this newsletter, if you have ideas you would like to share, please call the office at 770-4857.
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Cultural Council of Indian River County - Your Event Connection.
2041 14th Avenue, Sutie A, Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Phone (772) 770-4857 FAX (772) 770-3403
Copyright 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
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