In 2018, the South Florida Theatre League’s Arts Advocacy Committee put together a short, four question survey for every single Florida State House and Florida State Senate candidate in our service area of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, and Monroe Counties. This was done in light of the massive arts funding cuts that happened in the 2018 legislative session.
The four questions are as follows:
1. What is the role of the arts in your life?
2. What should be the role of the arts in your community?
3. The state recently slashed its arts budget by 89%. On a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the most likely) how likely would you be to reinstate funding for the arts.
4. What action will you take to support the arts if elected?
While we sent out surveys to all the candidates, we’ve only received responses from five candidates. Those answers – along with information about the district the candidate is running in and the party they represent are below. Districts are listed in numerical order. In order to find out if any of responding candidates are in your district, you can use the following site: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx
Please use this as additional information as your consider your vote in the upcoming midterm elections on November 6, 2018.
Florida House District 87
David Silvers
Democratic Party
What is the role of the arts in your life?
As a life-long supporter of the arts, I understand the importance of the arts community, whether it is through theatre, music, or film. I have been on the Board of the Young Friends of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for more than a decade and actively support charities associated with the Kravis Center, to help bring the arts to every student who may have an interest in the arts.
I have also seen how the arts, especially through music, can reach people who may be suffering certain mental or psychological setbacks, thus there is so much more to the arts than just entertainment. It can ultimately lead to real results when trying to help people.
What should be the role of the arts in your community?
The arts should have a meaningful role in the community because they can provide opportunities to so many people, when the arts community is thriving it can be a boost to the local economy. For example, the Kravis Center is the 2nd most visited tourist location in Palm Beach County outside of the Palm Beach Zoo. When people visit Palm Beach County to attend a performance at the Kravis Center they are more likely to visit a local restaurant which helps with our local economy.
The state recently slashed its arts budget by 89%. On a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the most likely) how likely would you be to reinstate funding for the arts.
I would be at a 5, because I understand the importance of the arts to our local community.
What action will you take to support the arts if elected?
Well, since I believe film is part of the arts community, I have already filled legislation to support the arts. In my first term in the legislature I filed 2 bills to help resurrect the film and television industry here in Florida. We had a program here in Florida for about a decade that helped bring episodic television shows as well as films here but that program sunset in 2014 and ever since then the film industry has disappeared to Georgia and Louisiana. I want to bring those opportunities back to Florida. I have heard from so many people in the film and television industry that they will have to move because there are just not enough jobs to be sustainable.
Florida House District 98
Michael Gottleib
Democratic Party
What is the role of the arts in your life?
My wife and I have season tickets at the BCPA and regularly attend shows with our children. Likewise we have supported the arts, by attending performances and charitable donations.
What should be the role of the arts in your community?
Freedom of expression, freedom to dream and the opportunity for all to share in that is what is important about the arts. Rich or poor we can all enjoy the ability to perform, to paint and to be able to express oneself thru the arts. Being able to share one’s life experience thru arts is also valuable. I feel that we need to save the arts and continue to allow this form of expression to flourish in our community.
The state recently slashed its arts budget by 89%. On a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the most likely) how likely would you be to reinstate funding for the arts?
5
What action will you take to support the arts if elected?
I fully support the arts. Funding for all significant areas of life is a major priority. We need to insure that the legislature gives our county the proper allocation of our tax dollars back. Being a donor county has harmed our ability to inspire community minded programs. I hope to be able to insure our fiscal responsibility to the arts.
Florida House District 112
Rosy Palomino
Republican Party
What is the role of the arts in your life?
The role of the arts serves to uplift, educate and enrich our lives. I enjoy productions large and small in my personal life.
What should be the role of the arts in your community?
The arts are a valuable part of the cultural fabric of our community. I am firm believer that the arts should be taken into serious consideration in economic development.
The state recently slashed its arts budget by 89%. On a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the most likely) how likely would you be to reinstate funding for the arts?
5.
What action will you take to support the arts if elected?
My priority as a legislator in regards to the arts is to restore the Coconut Grove Playhouse into a working regional theater and promote the arts in coordination with local and state agencies.
Florida House District 113
Michael Grieco
Democratic Party
What is the role of the arts in your life?
I grew up doing musical theater up until college and my wife is an avid theater goer.
What should be the role of the arts in your community?
As a Miami/Miami Beach resident, I strongly believe that the arts play a key role in a fully thriving community, especially in education.
The state recently slashed its arts budget by 89%. On a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the most likely) how likely would you be to reinstate funding for the arts?
4 I only say 4 because I cannot do it alone. Between these budget cuts and the elimination of tv/film incentives, those currently controlling the state government have made clear where their priorities lie.
What action will you take to support the arts if elected?
I want to see most of the funding reinstated, but I also want to see STEAM funding, which includes the arts, brought back into the education budget.
Jonathan Parker
Republican Party
What is the role of the arts in your life?
Theatre has been part of my life since I was a small child. In high school I participated in student productions and honed skills in theatre lighting. After considering a career in television production, I ultimately became a lawyer with a deep appreciation for the arts.
What should be the role of the arts in your community?
It’s always about abundant availability and reasonable cost so that it is affordable to all to enjoy.
The state recently slashed its arts budget by 89%. On a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the most likely) how likely would you be to reinstate funding for the arts?
5, but it certainly depends on the details.
What action will you take to support the arts if elected?
Support well orchestrated legislation that affects the arts, whether financially or for availability whether to the general public or by supporting educational institutions.
