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BROOKSVILLE — For nearly three decades, the Hernando County Fine Arts Council has served as the area's umbrella organization, providing support to the county's artistic communities.
Tough economic times and dwindling support, however, have combined to cripple the organization the past year. The council's board of directors has shrunk from 15 members to just four, council chairman and acting treasurer Jerry Cowling said this week.
"We have less than $13,000 in the bank," he said. "If we're lucky, we might make it to September. There aren't a lot of prospects out there."
Cowling said that without any new revenue, the organization may have to curtail some events, including its popular annual two-day Art in the Park festival, which it has sponsored for 27 years.
In addition to sponsoring the county's largest juried art show, the council also provides grants to organizations such as the Hernando Youth Orchestra, Hernando Jazz Society and the Spring Hill Art League, and scholarships to young artists.
Cowling said that an effort is under way to re-establish the council with some of its community connections through a free art reception at the Quarry Enrichment Center Gallery on July 28.
The reception will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. and will include art work owned by local residents.
"Our hope is that people will see that there's an esoteric need for what our organization does," he said. "We want them to know that we still want to be around years from now."
Cowling also fears that the council may not be able to keep executive director Myndee Washington, who has overseen grant-writing activities and production of the council's major events since 2009.
"Myndee is probably the reason we've lasted this long," Cowling said of Washington, who earns $14,000 a year. "For the money she's paid, we get an awful lot in return."
Although it was created by the Hernando County Commission in 1987, the private nonprofit group receives no county funds. Rather, revenue is derived from events, membership fees and sponsorships.
County Commissioner John Druzbick, the commission's appointed liaison, said he recently met with Fine Arts Council board members to look for ways the group can overcome its financial woes. All agreed that the council could do a better job of enhancing its visibility in the community.
"They need to show people that the Fine Arts Council really does exist," Druzbick said, "and that it's there to support art and culture in our community."
Logan Neill can be reached at (352) 848-1435 or lneill@sptimes.com.
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