Unregistered
June 17th, 2003, 11:55 AM
The celebration of the declaration of Buffalo as the eighth U.S. arts destination is heartwarming. Arts patrons and foundations are justly recognized for their important role. However, the political commitment and wisdom that was crucial to sustaining Buffalo's arts community through the good and the worst times was overlooked in a recent News story.
For many years, county appropriations for arts activities were one component of a blend of public funds that included city and state support. When the state and city precipitously eliminated funding for the arts, only the sustained commitment of the county prevented the literal collapse of arts organizations across the city.
Erie County Executive Joel Giambra has steadfastly supported a vital arts community. His voluntary Erie County Cultural Resources Advisory Board annually conducts rigorous reviews of arts organizations operations to ensure accountability, and makes recommendations for the most effective distribution of a very limited, but critical, source of funding.
However, Giambra has gone well beyond preserving annual funding. He initiated large investments in new cultural developments, especially the Buffalo Zoo. The county's $8 million commitment leverages $8 million in state and $8 million in private support to make unprecedented investments in Graycliff, the Darwin Martin House and the Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse, as part of a strategic plan to "grow the inventory" of architectural tourism attractions. Acting in the spirit of regionalization, the county has rescued cultural assets that the city simply stopped funding (Shea's, Kleinhans and the zoo).
Giambra and members of the County Legislature, whose support is equally crucial, continue to make protecting Buffalo's cultural and artistic vitality a priority.
Buffalo is now increasingly recognized as a mecca for cultural tourism. With the Convention and Tourism Bureau at long last realizing the potential of the arts, even more can be accomplished.
KERRY S. GRANT
Past Member and Chairman
Erie County Cultural
Resources Advisory Board
www.buffalo.com
For many years, county appropriations for arts activities were one component of a blend of public funds that included city and state support. When the state and city precipitously eliminated funding for the arts, only the sustained commitment of the county prevented the literal collapse of arts organizations across the city.
Erie County Executive Joel Giambra has steadfastly supported a vital arts community. His voluntary Erie County Cultural Resources Advisory Board annually conducts rigorous reviews of arts organizations operations to ensure accountability, and makes recommendations for the most effective distribution of a very limited, but critical, source of funding.
However, Giambra has gone well beyond preserving annual funding. He initiated large investments in new cultural developments, especially the Buffalo Zoo. The county's $8 million commitment leverages $8 million in state and $8 million in private support to make unprecedented investments in Graycliff, the Darwin Martin House and the Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse, as part of a strategic plan to "grow the inventory" of architectural tourism attractions. Acting in the spirit of regionalization, the county has rescued cultural assets that the city simply stopped funding (Shea's, Kleinhans and the zoo).
Giambra and members of the County Legislature, whose support is equally crucial, continue to make protecting Buffalo's cultural and artistic vitality a priority.
Buffalo is now increasingly recognized as a mecca for cultural tourism. With the Convention and Tourism Bureau at long last realizing the potential of the arts, even more can be accomplished.
KERRY S. GRANT
Past Member and Chairman
Erie County Cultural
Resources Advisory Board
www.buffalo.com