Volusia residents and arts groups urge council to restore $611,000 in cultural grants

Anne Marie Willicker, president of Volusia Pride, told the Volusia County Council that “the arts are not a luxury. They are a smart investment in the future of our community,” and urged members to restore cultural grants that had been cut from this year’s disbursements.

Dozens of speakers followed, including representatives from the Volusia County Cultural Alliance, Art House Foundation and the Athens Theatre. Cameron Vincent, executive director of Art House, summarized the case in economic terms: “Fact, $611,000 that this grant represents is doubled in direct county tax revenue,” he said, adding the funding supports local jobs and tourism. Residents described youth programs, senior offerings and community festivals that rely on the grants.

Several speakers said the grants were pulled from the consent agenda because of moral objections to programming at two organizations; both organizations later voluntarily withdrew their applications so other groups could move forward. Speakers asked the council to honor the budgeted awards and to avoid using cultural programming as a political litmus test.

Council members heard public testimony at length but did not resolve the arts grant question during the Nov. 4 meeting. Chair Brower and other members pledged to continue the discussion in budget and goal‑setting workshops this winter.

The public comment period illustrated strong civic support for arts funding across cities and age groups; several speakers said small grant amounts unlock broader private and earned revenue for local nonprofits. The council has not yet taken a final, stand‑alone vote on restoring the full suite of cultural grants; next steps will be discussed in upcoming budget work sessions.