11.6.0198 Application
Brevard Cultural Alliance, Inc.

Applicant Information

Proposal Information

Mission Statement

The mission of Brevard Cultural Alliance is to build and sustain a vibrant and dynamic arts and cultural sector integral to Brevard County's quality of life.

Proposal Summary: Goals

Goals:

1. Strengthen the arts and cultural sector to make it a vital cohesive community resource

2. Promote the value of arts and culture as integral to Brevard's quality of life and future growth

3. Make arts and culture essential to education

4. Build arts and cultural awareness among all Brevard residents and visitors; increase participation

Proposal Summary: Objectives

• Promote Brevard as a destination through the Cultural Marketing Initiative

• Increase attendance at and awareness of Brevard's cultural offerings by 10% using attendance reports from grant reports to measure increases

• Offer technical assistance and professional development opportunities to cultural organizations and artists through three workshops for organizations and one for artists by June 2011

• Coordinate efforts to market and produce Fall for the Arts event in September 2010

• Administer the Brevard County Community Cultural Grant and Arts License Plate Mini-Grant programs awarding at least $262,000 by October 2010

• Support the Cultural Arts Advisory Network with 10 meetings a year and a budget of CAAN membership dues to present Candidates Forum, Fall for the Arts and one other cooperative event by June 2011

• Increase the Fund for Arts in Brevard by at least $25,000 in 2011

• Increase BCA organizational and artist memberships by 10% over the next year

• Manage the Art in Public Places program; cultivate new contracts and maintain current amount of fees collected for art installations

Proposal Summary: Activities

• Move BCA offices to property in Eau Gallie Arts District by Summer of 2010

• Produce Art of Sand event in April 2011

• Produce and distribute up to 24 e-newsletters

• Present at least 3 capacity-building workshops for cultural groups and increase participation by non-arts groups by 15%

• Provide technical assistance to cultural organizations and individual artists through the BCA Resource Center increasing resources by 5% during 2011

• Provide staff support for Fall for the Arts held in September 2010 and maintain level of participation by groups

• Produce program application, conduct workshop, accept applications and coordinate panel meeting for Community Cultural Grant program

• Coordinate up to 10 Cultural Arts Advisory (CAAN) meetings per year; recruit and retain CAAN members

• Produce special events (such as Art of Sand and FABulous Affair) to raise funds for the Fund for Arts in Brevard

• Develop/maintain/solicit funders and grant funds to increase support by 15%

• Maintain Art in Public Places contracts and provide quality exhibits and service to sites and participating artists with fees for services at current or increased level

• Develop new cultural calendar with one new means of disseminating; target tourism industry

• Recruit board members from under-represented groups in assessment matrix

• Pursue online cultural calendaring collaboration with FLORIDA TODAY, Space Coast Office of Tourism, and others

• Continue development of Cultural Marketing Initiative with partnership and funding from Space Coast Office of Tourism

• Maintain and continue to implement high-quality Artist Residencies with at least 14 schools and 3 sites serving at-risk youth

• Assist schools and community sites in promoting their Artist Residencies with technology

• Partner with Brevard Public Schools on Excellence in Visual Arts Awards program: prepare application materials, select/host judges for portfolio review, and host awards event by end of school year 2011

• Develop new wellness/arts program for seniors to serve seniors in at least 6 sites

Narrative: Proposal Description

As Brevard's designated local arts agency, BCA meets the needs of our community by allocating our resources, programs, activities and initiatives into our three focus areas: services to the community (including arts education), services to cultural organizations, and services to individual artists. These three service areas relate directly back to our mission.

Brevard Cultural Alliance operates year-round. Activities and programs described in this proposal will take place over a twelve-month period from July 2010 to June 2011.

• We believe that Brevard County merits an arts and cultural community that is vibrant, diverse, accessible, and welcoming to every resident and visitor.

• We believe Brevard County's artists, arts, cultural and historic resources are precious assets that significantly contribute to the county's quality of life.

• We believe in striving for quality and excellence in all services we provide.

• We believe in accountability and fiscal responsibility.

Highlights of programs and initiatives for the coming year include: (space does not allow descriptions of all programs or initiatives for the coming year)

BCA's Art of Sand event is expected to become one of the largest arts and cultural events in Brevard and the inaugural event will occur from April 2-May 2, 2010 in Cape Canaveral. During this event visitors will experience 10-12 foot sculptures created by Master Sand Sculptors from around the world; as well as other sand sculptures created by amateurs, youth and corporate teams. The 3-day opening weekend festival will have entertainment, vendors, food, and a chance to see the sculptures all for $8 per adult and $4 for seniors, military personnel and children under 12. During the event there will be tours of the sculptures, performances, vendors and special events that will provide opportunities for cross promotions with our area's arts and cultural venues. There will also be a Youth Pavilion during the entire event. Kids can experiment with their own sand sculptures, learn fun facts about sand and the environment and have some hands-on fun. The 2011 Art of Sand event is anticipated to occur from April 1-May 1.

Fall for the Arts is an annual celebration of Brevard's upcoming arts and cultural season, exhibitions, festivals and events in the heart of the Eau Gallie Arts District on Highland Avenue. On September 24, 2009 over 65 arts and cultural groups from throughout Brevard came together to present highlights of their upcoming seasons with theatre, music, dance, visual arts, and demonstrations. Approximately 20 performing groups performed on two stages. Featured performances included ballet, classical and pops music, modern dance, harmonizers, storytellers, a brass quintet, animal encounters, and much more. Attendance doubled from the previous year to an estimated 4,000. The 3rd Annual Fall for the Arts has been scheduled for September 30, 2010.

The Community Cultural Grants program, managed by BCA and funded by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, has provided an annual source of general operating support or project funding for eligible recipient organizations since 1987. Funding for the grant program received a $200,000 boost in FY 2006; increasing from $125,000 to $325,000. Eighteen grants were awarded in FY 2006, 24 in FY 2007, 26 for FY 2008, 29 in FY 2009 (with a reduction in grant funds to $293,000), and 29 for FY 2010 (with a further reduction in grant funds to $240,000 (see attached list in support materials).

Please see the "Education" section for information about BCA's Artist Residencies.

Through the BCA-managed Art in Public Places temporary exhibition program, twenty display areas feature artwork by area artists on an ongoing basis. Annually, work by over 200 adult artists, as well as over 300 student artists, is exhibited and an estimated 185,000 people view the artwork. Sites include high-traffic locations such as Melbourne International Airport, Brevard County Government Center and Moore Justice Center, Holmes Regional Heart Center, Brevard Community College Planetarium, and Dixie Crossroads Restaurant.

BCA has established a cultural Resource Center in our offices. This Center, with materials useful to both cultural organizations and individual artists, contains periodicals, resource books, sample forms, an upgraded internet-based subscription to The Foundation Center and other materials (see listing of resources in support materials). With BCA's upcoming move to the Eau Gallie Arts District, we expect usage of the Resource Center to increase.

BCA will offer capacity-building workshops to not only cultural organizations, but to all area nonprofits. Past workshop topics have included Fund Development, Fiscal Reporting to the IRS for Nonprofits, and How to Be & Recruit Better Board Members. These workshops have been well received with an average of 30-40 participants each. BCA members pay $5 to attend; non-members pay $25.

Using EventBrite software, BCA has implemented a centralized online ticketing feature on our website and will work with cultural groups to expand usage and recruit additional participating groups. This is a tremendous service for smaller organizations without credit card capability and will serve to complement the new Cultural Marketing Initiative for all participating organizations. Once residents and visitors are aware of this "one-stop shopping" for cultural event ticketing, potential for increased attendance figures for cultural events is significant.

Cultural groups participate in the Cultural Arts Advisory Network (CAAN) and meet on the first Thursday of each month at cultural venues and provide the 20-25 attendees with the opportunity to visit each other's "homes" and network, share best practices, and participate in informative presentations. A representative from this group is an ex-officio member of the BCA board.

Narrative: Culture Builds Florida's Future

1. Strengthening the Economy

   The BCA's economic study in 2007 revealed the non-profit arts and cultural industry in Brevard contributes over $42 million annually to our economy with nearly one million cultural attendees.
   

   • The average Brevard resident attending a cultural event spent $20.80; residents comprised 80% of cultural attendees

   • 20% of event attendees were cultural tourists; these visitors spent an average of $38.17 per cultural event

   • For every $1 of government support, the arts return $8.50 in tax revenue

   • For every $1 of cultural tourism funding, the arts return $27 in related spending by cultural tourists

   BCA will present the inaugural Art of Sand international sand sculpting exhibition and festival in April 2010; with the 2nd annual Art of Sand anticipated in April 2011. This initiative will promote and provide a boost to cultural tourism in cooperation with the Space Coast Office of Tourism and present an event that will bring visitors from within the drive market of nearby counties, especially those visiting Orlando, to Brevard. Hoteliers and restaurants will benefit from extra nights and meals purchased by attendees. Cultural organizations will benefit by assisting in cross-promotional efforts and distributing and accepting "sand dollars." Art of Sand visitors will receive a cultural calendar for offerings during the event to encourage extended or return visits to the area.

   The successful presentation of the Art of Sand event will advance BCA's strategic goal of self sustainability. Proceeds from this event will support The Fund for Arts in Brevard and BCA's arts education programs. The Fund will develop a source of funding for arts, cultural and historic organizations and individual artists. The Fund for Arts in Brevard will ultimately decrease BCA's dependency on decreasing governmental and corporate funds.

2. Learning and Wellness

   BCA has developed an integrated plan for programmatic activities in learning and wellness. The arts education program in schools is well-established and has grown from 6 to 14 schools over the past three years. The BCA previously provided three residencies in community sites that serve at-risk youth; Hacienda Girls Ranch, Crosswinds Youth Services, and Space Coast Marine Institute. Through development of this integrated plan, BCA will respond to community needs in a more thorough and comprehensive way to provide services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and arts in medicine programming. In 2010, BCA will launch a partnership with the Community Services Council to provide Art and Wellness programs at sites serving seniors at the CSC Seniors at Lunch program.

3. Building Leadership

   The director of the BCA has met with seven of the executive directors/presidents of Brevard's largest arts and cultural organizations to discuss the challenges they face leading their respective organizations. Opening dialogue is critical to building cultural leadership in Brevard. These cultural leaders have been invited to learn from each other and share their leadership experiences. Already some cross promotional partnerships have formed and BCA plans to continue these meetings on a quarterly basis.

   The planning for the cultural event of the year, "Fall for the Arts," provides leaders from a variety of arts and cultural organizations a chance to work together to present the event. Over 65 cultural groups participated in a special evening of culture awareness celebrating their upcoming seasons and educating the public about their offerings. Media partners Space Coast Living and FLORIDA TODAY published cultural calendars and special inserts in their publications in support of the event.

   The Art of Sand and A FABulous Affair further develop public/private partnerships between BCA and the Space Coast Office of Tourism, corporate sponsors and municipalities. Partners in these events include the Melbourne International Airport, as the venue for the appraisal fair, the City of Cape Canaveral as a leading sponsor of the Art of Sand, the Port Canaveral Restaurant Association and Cocoa Beach Hotel Association as marketing partners for the Art of Sand and a variety of corporate sponsors that support the BCA in growing a vibrant arts and culture sector integral to the area's economy, quality of life and ability to attract residents and corporations looking to locate to the Space Coast.

   BCA also presents an ongoing series of capacity-building workshops for our cultural organizations and area non-profits.

4. Design and Development

   In the Eau Gallie area, zoning has been approved to create an Arts District. BCA has played a key role in that initiative and has worked extensively with the Community Redevelopment Agency and Eau Gallie Merchants Association. BCA has spearheaded marketing of the district and provided leadership in community convening sessions, district signage and launched the Eau Gallie Arts District website.

   BCA purchased property in the Arts District in November 2009. The blighted property will give BCA an opportunity to be a leader in renovating a run-down multi-structure motor court into the mixed use residential/commercial BCA Village, with a tourist information center, BCA offices and resource center for artists and cultural groups, community meeting rooms, the office for the Eau Gallie Arts District and four rental units for artists and/or non-profit groups. With the current real estate market the BCA was able to obtain a charitable bargain sale of property from owners that were asking $380,000 for the five buildings. Purchased for $190,000, the BCA received a mortgage and construction loan of $200,000 to renovate the property and bring it up to commercial code. A matching grant from the City of Melbourne through the Eau Gallie CRA of $40,000 is the first of it's kind in the area. A grant from the Space Coast Office of Tourism for $25,000 will bring a tourist information center to the Arts District. BCA has formed a partnership with a design magazine, "Spaces." The "Spaces" advisory board will be adopting the buildings and renovating the interiors for the purpose of publishing an issue with before and after photos and extreme make-overs the BCA has entitled 'From Blight to Bright." The pro bono architectural and design services, landscape design and green building consultants will be an example for others. The Arts District is applying for Florida Main Street status in 2010.

   The Frames Project, a countywide public art program described in the support materials, will promote Brevard's cultural, historic, and natural locations and destinations.

Narrative: Marketing and Promotion

BCA's marketing efforts will primarily be devoted to the new Cultural Marketing Initiative, funded by and in partnership with the Space Coast Office of Tourism. This branding and marketing campaign is much more comprehensive and replaces previously fragmented and individualized efforts by the cultural organizations. The Space Coast Office of Tourism previously awarded cash grants through the Cultural Cooperative Advertising program.

The new Cultural Marketing Initiative, administered by BCA and overseen by BCA's Marketing Committee, replaces the cash grants with allocated resources. Instead of grant dollars used by a participating cultural group with very limited buying power to purchase a print ad, billboard, radio spots, etc., participating groups (including BCA) will receive, for example, a set of radio spots, TV spots on selected channels, a digital billboard for month, targeted print ads, or online space on www.floridatoday.com, purchased with the much superior buying power of the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

For example, the Space Coast Office of Tourism may negotiate to buy 6 digital billboards in Orlando and an additional 100 regular billboards over a one-year period. Of this billboard buy, the Cultural Marketing Initiative as a whole may receive continuous use of 1 digital billboard and 10 additional regular billboards. This billboard space will then be reallocated among the 16 organizations (including BCA) participating in this first year of the Marketing Initiative. The same concept will be applied to print, radio, TV and online. The Marketing Initiative will receive portions of much larger media buys made by the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

In addition to the portions of mass-buys made by the Space Coast Office of Tourism for the Marketing Initiative, they are also funding creative services (see examples in support materials) for the initiative and providing access to the services of their contracted public relations firms, TJM Communications and Balance Public Relations.

An additional marketing tool for the coming year will the full implementation and growth of BCA's new online ticketing service. Funded through a grant from The Boeing Company and with guidance from BCA's Technology Committee, BCA purchased EventBrite ticketing software and rolled out the pilot at the Fall for the Arts event in September. Having worked through most of the beta-testing challenges, BCA is now ready to expand and begin to recruit increased numbers of cultural organization to participate in the online ticketing option. In cases where cultural organizations already have this capacity, BCA's web site will simply re-direct the potential ticket buyer to the cultural organization web site for purchase.

An additional marketing tool for BCA's banner event, the Art of Sand, are "sand dollars." "Sand dollars" will be used for one dollar discounts for admission to the Art of Sand event, area cultural offerings, or purchases from local restaurants and businesses, and will be a grassroots marketing effort. These sand dollars will be distributed to attendees at the Art of Sand, by participating cultural organizations, event sponsors, restaurants, etc. Distribution points/entities will also accept sand dollars.

These marketing plans will expand awareness of BCA's and Brevard County's cultural product and take the first steps toward marketing Brevard as a cultural destination instead of marketing individual events in a piecemeal and unbranded fashion.

Narrative: Personnel and Partners

Shellie Williams, CFRE is the Executive Director and has been a nonprofit professional for over 20 years at local, regional, national and international organizations. Ms. Williams has developed collaborations and public/private partnerships netting over $500,000 in sponsorships and established a multi-million dollar endowment for an international organization. She established the Fund for Arts in Brevard and solicits sponsorships for events. She has worked in downtown redevelopment, organized community visioning sessions, and brought economic development together with environmental forces to promote mixed use development. Williams provided leadership for the development of the Arts District and BCA's purchase of property in the district. She works with the BCA board of directors and committee on the governance of the organization while managing the day to day operations. Williams received a BFA in Theatre Arts and continued her education with a two-year internship in Arts Administration and took leadership courses at Long Island University and Indiana School of Fundraising.

Kathy Engerran is Program Services Coordinator for Brevard Cultural Alliance. She administers the County Community Cultural Grants, coordinates the Fall for the Arts event, cultural calendaring, publications and assists with special events, marketing and public relations. Engerran previously was Director of Program Services for the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, where she administered the grants programs for organizations and individual artists and coordinated publications and outreach activities. For 12 years prior, she served as Information Specialist for the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. She has been a guest lecturer for Arts Administration classes at Florida State University and the University of South Florida and has served as a review panelist for the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. Engerran received a BS in Communications from Florida State University.

Lynne Brezina has coordinated BCA's Art in Public Places temporary installation exhibition program for the past 13 years. Brevard County does not have a Percent for Art Program so BCA created this temporary installation program to ensure that area visual artists have the opportunity to display and sell their artwork through art exhibitions throughout the County. She works with over 200 individual artists and nearly 15 galleries and artists collectives. Brezina also provides technical assistance and creates web pages for member artists on BCA's web site incorporating samples of their work and biographical information.

Sherry Burklew Is the BCA's website administrator. Burklew is responsible for the BCA website's latest updates, photos and works with social networking trends. In this capacity, she also manages websites associated with the BCA and administers the BCA online ticketing program. She produces the BCA E-newsletter and is the volunteer coordinator. She is the first line of contact for most visitors and callers to the BCA. Burklew also manages a database of more than 4,000 member and nonmember artists, arts groups, nonprofit organizations, sponsors, and individuals.

Pablo Remonsellez was born and raised in Santiago, Chile. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications and Graphic Design from Mayor University of Santiago. Remonsellez has extensive training in the area of visual arts, working as an assistant professor at his alma mater and also working as a curriculum coordinator and consultant for five years at the Santiago Metropolitan Park. Currently Remonsellez serves as the Community Services coordinator with the Brevard Cultural Alliance managing the artists residency program and other community partnerships. He also works freelance doing commissioned art, such as murals and illustrations.

Amanda Beikmann is the BCA's Cultural Concierge and the voice of the Arts Hotline. She represents the BCA with area Chambers and manages FABulous Affair and the Art of Sand events. Her marketing and sales experiences have expanded the BCA's reach into the community.

Proposal Estimates

Estimated Counties served

• Brevard

Narrative: Assessment and Planning

Assessment
After the October 2005 panel meeting for FY06 County Community Cultural Grants, it was obvious that grant guidelines and requirements had not been updated in some time. During this same time frame the BCA's long-time President/CEO resigned.

In response to the needs of the County Community Grant program, an out-of-county consultant was contracted to review the process and recommend improvements. A series of six small group workshops were convened with the consultant. Forty-one individuals representing 34 cultural organizations participated. Based upon suggestions from these sessions, revisions and streamlining were implemented within the grant program.

After the departure of the President/CEO, it was apparent our cultural organizations were dissatisfied with BCA. A series of roundtable meetings were held to gain input regarding the needs of the cultural groups and their opinions regarding BCA's future direction and leadership. BCA Board members also participated in these meetings. The results were presented to the BCA Board.

During late Summer of 2006, the BCA Board convened a Summit to consider the results of the roundtables, BCA's future, and the type of Executive Director that was needed. An ad-hoc Selection Committee for a new Executive Director was appointed with representatives from the BCA Board, cultural organizations, and community leaders. Executive Director Shellie Williams was hired in January 2007. She continued assessing needs and goals for the future through meetings with leaders from the cultural groups, County Government, municipalities, and many others. This process is still ongoing. The formation of many new partnerships and initiatives are the results of these efforts.

Another benchmark assessment tool is the "Economic Contributions Study" Some of the study highlights include:

• During fiscal 2007, the nonprofit arts and cultural industry directly contributed over $42 million to Brevard's economy

• The nonprofit arts and cultural industry supports 624 full- and part-time jobs

• Almost 1 million people attended Brevard cultural events during FY 2007

The BCA Board has undergone an assessment of members' skills and community connections to provide direction in regard to recruitment of new members. The Board has formed and established several new committees, and BCA By-Laws were updated to reflect current organizational goals.

Williams also provided to the Board an assessment of BCA's programs in comparison to other local arts agencies in Florida, based upon the results of a study conducted by the Florida Association of Local Arts Agencies to further assist them in establishing future programming goals and policy.

In March 2009, BCA convened the "How are We Doin"? gathering at the King Center to check in with our stakeholders and assess if our cultural organizations, artists, Board members, community leaders and others thought we were on the right track. The event, facilitated by Margot Knight, was attended by over 50 people. The feedback was favorable with some suggestions and ideas for the future.

Planning
A strategic planning session will be held on January 21, 2010 for board members and staff. An examination of the BCA's goals and objectives along with a review of the past will help determine future goals. Several new pieces including two charts of activities developed by two separate board members will be used to evaluate current programs and target areas for improvements, changes or even elimination. After the general planning sessions, a break out into committees will give members a chance to assess their past work and plan their committee work for the year (see support materials.

Narrative: Proposal Impact

Brevard Cultural Alliance serves Brevard County, on Florida's east coast, midway between Jacksonville and Miami. The county is 72 miles from north to south and averages 25 miles in width. The Indian River Lagoon and the Banana River divide each divide the county north to south. BCA is keenly aware that Brevard's geography is a barrier to cultural participation due to lengthy travel times and access to cultural offerings. Given the length of the county, BCA organizes many of its programs and services into three areas: North, South and Central, particularly our programs serving youth, such as Artist Residencies.

Brevard County contains 15 municipalities and 12 unincorporated communities. The most populous cities are Palm Bay and Melbourne. Brevard is home to an estimated 534,359 people; 59% are ages 19-64 and 26% are under 18 years old. The current projection for 2012 is 577,610 residents, an 8% population increase in less than 6 years.

During 2007, nearly 1 million individuals attended cultural events in Brevard County; of which 20% were from outside Brevard.

A total of 2.2 million overnight and an additional 2.6 million daytime tourists visited the Space Coast last year. 96% of Spring visitors are from the United States; throughout the year, nearly 1 in 4 visitors are from Florida and another 1 in 5 are from the Southeast U.S. Spring visitors to the Space Coast are primarily young (63% are 44 or younger) and looking for engaging activities.

The Orlando theme park industry is over thirty years old and draws a significant number of repeat visitors interested in expanding their vacation experience. Cocoa Beach, Orlando's closest beach, is only one hour away. Getting to the Space Coast is easy – Orlando International Airport is 45 minutes away and major thoroughfares include S.R. 528 (the Beachline), I-95, A1A, and U.S. 1.

With constraints on resources and time, many travelers are looking for close-to-home vacations. Fifteen million residents live within a five hour drive of Brevard.

For families falling below the poverty level status, full-time working parents or single parents, access to cultural offerings for their children can be deemed unaffordable and unfeasible options. BCA's Artist Residencies program expands learning and provides enrichment opportunities for many of these underserved youth; 79% of the schools during the 2008-2009 school year were Title 1. During the current year, the artist residencies are directly served nearly 2,000 students and almost 16% of the 86 public schools in our county. Through innovative activities that are systematically planned and rigorously evaluated in order to maximize effectiveness and continuous improvement, the program ultimately promotes the arts as an integral part of education.

BCA has also providing programming for at-risk youth through ongoing residencies at Hacienda Girls Ranch, Crosswinds Youth Services, and Space Coast Marine Institute. During 2008-2009, these programs directly served nearly 200 youth.

In 2010, BCA will be launching a new partnership with the Community Services Council to provide arts and wellness programs through their Seniors at Lunch sites throughout the county. It is anticipated that up to six sites will be served over a six-month period.

At the Art of Sand event, reduced entrance fees will be offered to youth, seniors and active or retired military personnel. BCA also plans to have a select number of free entry days for Brevard County residents, "employee days" for event sponsors, and other targeted special entry days for specific populations. School groups, social service agencies, and other underserved populations will be invited to attend the event at drastically reduced rates or at no charge.

Narrative: Education and Outreach

BCA Artist Residencies provide unique and individualized programs for each selected school/site. Each school residency includes weekly, ongoing, arts education instruction for approximately 12-14 weeks, providing a total of 50 instructional hours per Artist Residency. Each residency receives a budget for supplies of up to $500.

BCA's Artist Residencies program has been providing Brevard County public schools with opportunities for arts learning for more than 20 years. In recent years the program has experienced dramatic growth, from six residencies in 2005-2006 to fourteen residencies during the 2008-2009 school-year. Each residency is unique and planned to meet the particular goals of each selected school. The program places professional artists of different artistic disciplines in schools during one semester at each school. Each Fall, BCA hosts an Artist Showcase, schools and qualified artists wishing to be placed in residencies have the opportunity to meet and talk. Artists present brief demonstrations to showcase their artistic talents and instructional skills. The schools and the artists then participate in a selection process. Please see support materials for additional information.

Participating youth in schools receive classroom instruction by professional artists, as well as opportunities for public recognition in a concluding event designed for each unique program. The art classes use a project-centered approach determined during the curriculum development sessions to teach developmental technical skills, as well as social skills required in formal and informal relationships and team efforts.

Residency classes emphasize mentoring, hands-on problem solving, and the processing of sequential/ incremental steps to a completed project, encouraging students' critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis skills.

Participating artists, school-based arts teachers, and curriculum specialists collaborate with their respective expertise to plan arts activities that are strongly integrated into the overall academic curriculum or mission of the community organization.

The characteristics common to all of the BCA's residency programs are:

• Utilization of professional artists from a wide variety of artistic disciplines with experience working in schools and/or community settings. These artists must be willing and able to share best practices with the site staff.

• Each artist, in collaboration with the art teacher/site staff, will develop unit plans and lesson plans with input from other school-based art teachers, curricula coordinators, case workers and site administrators. Residency curriculum will address directly Sunshine State Standards as well as FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test).

• An individualized curriculum workshop/session including professional artist, art teacher/site staff and BCA coordinator will provide the forum for this collaboration between artists and school/community sites. Part of curriculum development will be the integration of each site's specific instructional goals and concepts.

• Artists and participating teachers will develop a program schedule, which will vary from site to site.

• Artists and staff will build arts skills through classroom instruction and hands-on learning.

• Providing career awareness through working with professional artists.

• Concluding exhibits and/or performances will be organized at each site to recognize student work and achievement, enhancing self-esteem and building confidence of participants through successful completion of tangible projects.

• Concluding events will have opportunities to highlight completed works and recognize individual accomplishments.

• Family, friends and the community will be encouraged and invited to attend the project showcase exhibits, performances, and recognition events.

Operating Budget

Proposal Budget: Summary

Proposal Budget: Detail

Proposal Summary: Evaluation Plan

Evaluation is an ongoing process through a variety of methods – both formal and informal. The following are some examples of the ways BCA evaluates:
A survey was developed in February 2009 for BCA stakeholders and emailed to over 1,000 individuals using Survey Monkey. The survey led up to our evaluation event "How are We Doin'?". At the event, facilitated by Margot Knight of United Arts of Central Florida, over 50 attendees gave feedback on all areas of operation and programs of BCA. BCA Board members and staff attended to listen to what the cultural groups, artists, donors and community leaders had to say. A report of their suggestions and comments was provided to the BCA board of directors to measure our progress.

Attendees at capacity-building workshops complete surveys about the content of the workshop. They are also asked for suggestions for future workshops.

As BCA began the process of website redesign, a representative from the firm contracted to do the work came to a Cultural Arts Advisory Network meeting to gain feedback from our constituent organizations. BCA also solicited suggestions for the website for several months on the front page of our website.

At the conclusion of the County Community Cultural Grant cycle suggestions for continued improvement are solicited. These suggestions are considered as ongoing modifications take place.

Evaluation of BCA's Artist Residencies is rigorous. Artists, school art teachers or site staff, and administrators conduct program evaluations. Artists and teachers complete monthly evaluations and lesson plans. Written evaluations by classroom teachers assess the effectiveness of arts curriculum materials in relation to FCAT and Sunshine State Standards. Students complete pre- and post-tests. Numbers of students served are tracked; attendance at culminating events is documented. Upon conclusion of the residencies, evaluation meetings are conducted with residency artists, teachers and support personnel to discuss program strengths and weaknesses (see support materials).

Narrative: Applicant History

In this time of economic challenge, Brevard Cultural Alliance is not only surviving but thriving. During November 2009, BCA became a property owner for the first time (described in other areas of this proposal). For BCA, it is a time of making deliberate, thoughtful plans for the future. BCA currently has a full-time staff of six and two part-time employees.

The Brevard Arts Council, Inc., now Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA), was established in July 1975. It is incorporated in Florida as a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. BCA was designated by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners as the local arts agency in 1984. Our working relationship with the Brevard Public Schools was established in 1986.

The Arts Council also began contracting with the Space Coast Office of Tourism. Today, BCA still provides a 24-hour ARTSline, cultural event calendaring, a clearinghouse calendar, and is initiating a new Cultural Marketing Initiative in partnership with the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

In 1992, Brevard Arts Council, Inc. officially changed its name to Brevard Cultural Alliance, Inc.

With the hiring of Executive Director Shellie Williams, CFRE, in January 2007, BCA has entered a new and exciting era. The Cultural Alliance has refocused its programs and resources into three areas: service to the community, service to cultural organizations, and service to individual artists.

BCA's service to the community includes its community revitalization and redevelopment initiatives, artist residency programs in schools and community sites serving at-risk youth, and partnerships with entities such as the Economic Development Commission, Space Coast Office of Tourism, Brevard Public Schools and others.

Services for cultural organizations include Brevard County Community Cultural Grants, coordination of the Fall for the Arts event and the Cultural Arts Advisory Network, presentation of capacity-building workshops and technical assistance, and a Resource Center in BCA offices.

Services to individual artists range from opportunities to exhibit and market their artwork, technical assistance, information about upcoming workshops, auditions, and calls for art, to availability of a wide variety of arts-related periodicals, books and internet-based information in the BCA Resource Center.

BCA functions on behalf of the cultural community as an advocate and liaison to the Board of County Commissioners, Brevard Legislative Delegation, Space Coast Office of Tourism, Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, LEAD Brevard, Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Greater Palm Bay Chambers of Commerce, and other leading members of the corporate sector.

Significant accomplishments over the past two years include:

• Presenting two highly-successful Fall for the Arts events in partnership with our cultural organizations

• Purchasing what will become the BCA Village in the Eau Gallie Arts District

• Launching the Cultural Marketing Initiative in partnership with and funded by the Space Coast Office of Tourism

• Providing 14 high-quality school based Artist Residencies during the past two school years

• Presenting two "A FABulous Affair" events, "Antiques Roadshow" type appraisal fairs

  Please see support materials for a three-year overview of program activities

Narrative: Sustainability

Instructions to the Applicant

Describe plans to sustain the proposal activities after the grant period (if applicable). Include:

• Plans for expansion and growth for these or future activities and how activities will be sustained
• Information on the applicant's long range strategic plan (if available)

Reliance on a single source of funding (government support) is in the past and the BCA has moved toward self sufficiency and sustainability with fees for services and other sources of revenue.

In 2008, Brevard Cultural Alliance established the Fund for Arts in Brevard. The Fund was started with a gift from the estate of an anonymous donor with a $20,000 deposit into an account managed by LLP Financial. The investment grew by 10% the first year. A successful "A FABulous Affair" art appraisal fair in November 2009 allowed us to make an additional deposit of $10,000. Our goal is to grow the FAB account until it reaches a level that will qualify it to get in queue for state matching endowment funds. Once that benchmark is reached, the fund will be positioned to give grants to member organizations and individual artists.

Membership dues from our board of directors, organizations and individual artists have grown substantially over the past three years. The BCA 250 campaign encourages individuals and businesses to pledge $250 for three years and each board member is expected to raise an additional $1,000 in new funds. Additional contributions are solicited for events and programs. Partnerships have formed to help fund specific programs. This year for the first time the Brevard Schools Foundation contributed to the Artist Residencies program. The $1,000 gift marks the beginning of a relationship we will grow to fund a majority of the artists in the schools. Brevard Public Schools have also stepped up to contribute to this successful program.

The Art in Public Places program is now self-supporting with enough fees for service to pay for the program and allow for a part time staffer to help in the art installation in a variety of institutions including exhibits at a new Lexus car dealership, Gray Robinson Law Firm, Dixie Crossroads Restaurant and continuing at the Space Coast Cancer Centers, the Melbourne International Airport, Holmes Regional Medical Center and others.

Perhaps our biggest step towards self-sufficiency was the purchase of property in the Eau Gallie Arts District in November 2009. The mixed use property will provide space for the BCA offices, a tourist information center and four rental units. The BCA will have an asset and will contribute to the growth of the arts district serving our constituencies in a location that will better serve our mission.

In 2001, a comprehensive countywide assessment was launched and ArtsMarket conducted a process informed by just over 1,000 participants. The resulting Strategic Cultural Plan, while comprehensive and thorough, proved to be too expensive to implement. However, the four primary goals established within the plan and much of the content have great validity and have been distilled into viable practices currently in use. Over time, and with further planning and assessment, the content of the Strategic Plan has been synthesized into an actively implemented, constantly evolving Plan of Work.

Narrative: Fiscal Stability

Instructions to the Applicant

Provide information about the fiscal condition of the organization as it relates to the successful completion of the proposal. Include information about the following:

• Current debt level and reduction efforts
• Special fiscal circumstances that may exist and how they impact the proposal
• Endowments and/or savings (or plans for these)
• Acquistion of non-state financial support for the proposal

Sound fiscal policies and rigorous oversight of BCA's finances are an ongoing focus. The development of a financial policy and procedures handbook in conjunction with the agency's third independent audit has insured that resources are scrutinized at many levels. Our bookkeeper prepares financial statements monthly that are reviewed by RSM McGladrey, the fourth largest accounting firm in the U.S. Our Finance Committee Chair is a non-profit specialist with RSM McGladrey and oversees our quarterly Finance Committee meetings. He was instrumental in the development of fiscal policies passed by the board. Our gift acceptance policies lay the groundwork for accepting gifts of real property, including last year's gift of art from the estate of a BCA member artist and gifts of stock through our financial management firm of LLP Financial. The investment policy was established in conjunction with establishment of the Fund for Arts in Brevard (FAB) in 2008 (see above).

BCA's Board treasurer is a CPA with Action Accounting. In addition to presenting the finances as reviewed by RSM McGladrey before acceptance by the board, the treasurer performs a SWOT analysis of each month's finances and includes a statement of days of operating revenue. The treasurer has also worked with the bookkeeper to prepare cash flow charts to ensure stability and foresee any challenges that may arise.

Perhaps our biggest step towards long-term fiscal stability was the purchase of property in the Eau Gallie Arts District in November 2009. The rental units are expected to be bring in $2,800 a month and after the first year of interest only payments, the mortgage will be $1,500. Once the mortgage is reduced through naming opportunities for each of the buildings, the property will pay for itself and eventually produce income from artists/cultural groups and/or individual renters (see support materials for more information about the property). The BCA will have an asset and will contribute to the growth of the arts district serving our constituencies in a location that will better serve our mission.

Narrative: Collection Summary (GPS Collecting Museums only)

Instructions to the Applicant

Provide a summary of the applicant's collection (live or inanimate) and the collection policy. Provide information on the following:

• Size and scope of collection(s) the museum owns or uses
• Conservation and care
• Inventory and/or registration methods
No answer provided.

Applicant Accessibility

Narrative: Accessibility

Currently housed in Brevard County Government Center, the BCA offices are fully ADA compliant with accessible parking, entrances, elevators, restrooms and office space. In addition, our individual offices are accessible and all efforts are made to remove barriers for employees and visitors.

As BCA undertakes renovations to the new BCA Village, we are working with architect Craig Suman of Holeman Suman Architects and interior designer Susan Perers (both BCA Board members) to assure complete ADA compliance in our new space. Both of these Board members are providing their services pro bono.

BCA will extend these inclusive policies to presenting the Art of Sand event. The event will be held on the grounds of the Radisson at the Port in Cape Canaveral. Accessible pathways and ground covering will be put into place to make all on-site activities accessible and safe for all attendees.

We have partnered with Space Coast Area Transit to expand their existing beach routes to make the event more accessible to area visitors and residents at reduced rates. On site, there will be transportation to transfer guests easily from their cars to the event entrance and back again. This peripheral transportation will become even more crucial if satellite overflow parking is needed.

FY11 Brevard Cultural Alliance Support Materials listing:

1. IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
2. Division of Corporation record
3. Local Arts Agency designation document
4. Support letter from The Theatre Company
5. Support letter from County Commissioner Mary Bolin
6. Support letter from Eau Gallie Arts District Director
7. BCA Activities overview for 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009
8. Organizational chart
9. List of BCA Board members
10. BCA Mission Graphic
11. September BCA E-newsletter
12. Cultural Marketing Initiative samples
13. Fall for the Arts Space Coast Living Magazine September issue insert
14. Fall for the Arts FLORIDA TODAY September 20, 2009 insert
15. Fall for the Arts September 25, 2009 FLORIDA TODAY article
16. Fall for the Arts September 24, 2009 FLORIDA TODAY op-ed article
17. "Port Parking an Artful Façade," FLORIDA TODAY November 10, 2009
18. "Supporting the Arts," FLORIDA TODAY March 13, 2009 regarding "How are We Doin'? event
19. "Arts in Bloom," FLORIDA TODAY November 10, 2009 op-ed article about BCA's move to Eau Gallie Arts District
20. BCA Village White Paper and Naming Opportunities
21. Art in Public Places Installation Sites
22. Economic Contributions Study Executive Summary
23. Frames Project application
24. FY09 Brevard County Community Cultural Grant awards
25. FY09 Brevard County Community Cultural Grant compilation data
26. 2008-2009 BCA Artist Residencies Final Report
27. 2009-2010 BCA Artist Residencies Program Brochure
28. Listing of 2009-2010 BCA Artist Residencies
29. DVD disk with excerpts from:
Fall for the Arts 2009; Cultural Marketing Initiative sample; and
2008-2009 Artist Residencies
30. Catalog of student artwork from Bayside High School Artist Residency with Derek Gores