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Committee recommends one-time support for BlackRock while study of county-owned arts venues moves forward
Summary
The Government Operations Committee recommended keeping a one-time $125,000 FY26 County contribution to BlackRock, with council members and a district council member saying the arts venue serves as a civic and economic hub; staff said a broader OLO study will look at long-term sustainability for county-owned arts facilities.
The committee recommended a one-time FY26 allocation of $125,000 for BlackRock, a nonprofit arts and community venue, while a broader Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) study examines long-term sustainability for county-owned arts facilities.
DGS staff explained the request as operating support in addition to prior funding: $70,000 in FY25 and a $260,000 supplemental approved earlier, which together with the proposed $125,000 would total roughly $445,000 in county support since FY24. A district council member said arts facilities such as BlackRock function as economic drivers and community hubs, hosting seasonal celebrations and county events.
Council members including Friedson and Katz expressed support but asked staff for clarity about state contributions and the net county dollars requested; staff said the FY25 county contribution was $70,000 and the FY26 request is $125,000 after accounting for $190,000 in state support. Members asked that the committee and OLO continue work to identify sustainable models for county support of arts venues.
The committee advanced the funding with support from members who described BlackRock as providing broader civic benefits beyond arts programming.
