Dear Colleagues,
Since the beginning of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs has shared useful information and helpful resources for arts organizations and artists. With audiences enthusiastically returning to in-person activities, we are seeing a robust restart with so many of our cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, performing arts groups and festivals, successfully and safely welcoming patrons back to arts venues.
On November 5th, after closely reviewing the latest COVID trends, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced that the County will no longer be requiring the use of a mask in Miami-Dade County buildings:
“Over the last several weeks, we have made enormous progress in our fight to get the Delta variant under control in Miami-Dade, and I’m extremely proud of everyone across our community who stepped up to help stop the spread.”
We are respectful of COVID precautions that you may be taking to keep audiences, artists, and staff safe and share this information with you about County facilities as an update only.
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS: “OUR BEST SHOT”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava continues to urge residents to get vaccinated and, those who are eligible, to get the booster shot: “We also know this global pandemic is not over and that we must remain vigilant –– we have come too far, and have made too much progress, to let our guard down now. The single best thing any of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our entire community is to get vaccinated, and if you are eligible, to get the booster shot as soon as possible.” For the latest information on COVID-19 vaccination sites, please visit miamidade.gov/vaccine.
COVID-19 RECOVERY GRANTS
Florida Department of State: African-American Cultural and Historical Grants Program
Deadline: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
The Florida Department of State is now accepting applications to for the African-American Cultural and Historical Grants program, funded by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, as authorized by the Department of the Treasury, and administered by the Florida Division of Arts and Culture and Florida Division of Historical Resources. This one-time grants program provides funding for construction projects at facilities in Florida that highlight the contributions, culture, or history of African-Americans. Eligible organizations are either a public entity or an active Florida nonprofit or 501(c)(3). Visit https://dos.myflorida.com/cultural/grants/grant-programs/african-american-cultural-and-historical-grants/ for details.
THRIVE305
Earlier this month, Mayor Levine Cava, in partnership with The Miami Foundation, launched Thrive305, a community-wide participatory action plan with clear actions and priorities for a strong, thriving Miami-Dade County. Arts and culture are integrated into Thrive305 - an intrepid blueprint for making our community one of the great places in the world for people to live, work, visit and raise a family. Thank you to all who participated by attending the community meetings or providing feedback through the Thrive305 survey.
MIAMI ARTS WEEK
As we begin the countdown to Miami Arts Week at the end of November and welcome back Art Basel Miami Beach in early December, we are embracing the lessons learned over the past year and a half, as evidenced by the widespread availability of virtual cultural programming and the enhanced health precautions that are now common in arts venues, including physical distancing, face coverings, enhanced cleaning protocols, and hand sanitizer stations. These preventative measures can build confidence in eventgoers while promoting the safety of audiences, artists, presenters, and staff.
MIAMI ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE MONTHS
Miami-Dade County continues to be an outstanding case study of the power of the arts to positively change neighborhoods, people and the economy – and most boldly, to create a brand new kind of 21st century center of commerce and culture. Our cultural community continues to serve a key role in the Miami-Dade County tourism marketing and promotion initiatives.
Together with our partners, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, we are looking forward to celebrating Miami Arts, Culture and Heritage Months, which will run from December 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022. Miami Arts, Culture and Heritage Months places a spotlight on our multicultural communities and diverse heritage neighborhoods while celebrating our County’s vibrant arts and culture scene. For information on how to register, please contact Laura Giralt at Laura@GMCVB.com.
Well, that is a plentiful amount of news and opportunities! We continue to be proud of the work that you are doing to keep the arts vital in our lives. We remain fully committed to helping you through these unprecedented times and collectively finding our way back to experiencing the wonder and joy of the live arts!
Sincerely,
Michael Spring
Michael Spring
Director, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
The most reliable way to contact us continues to be through email. View the staff directory here.
Please check the County’s web site for more COVID-19 information and for regular updates: miamidade.gov/coronavirus.