About the Council
Lakeland Mayor’s Council on the Arts is a group formed by a resolution of the Lakeland City Commission on June 16, 2014. The purpose of the Council is to further the enhancement, promotion, and support of Lakeland’s arts community and its associated creative economy. By majority vote of the Lakeland City Commission, local arts organizations were named to the group. Each arts organization on the resolution names a representative to serve on the Council. These representatives meet formally six times per year.
The Council’s primary work includes promoting the annual City of Lakeland grant program for eligible arts organizations. Additionally, the Council will oversee any public art selection(s) associated with capital projects within the Lakeland municipality.
A Message from the Chair
Photo by Pierre DuCharme
Dear Arts Enthusiasts,
On January 1, 2021, I humbly began serving as Chair of the Mayor’s Council on the Arts for the City of Lakeland. I am grateful to Mayor Mutz for this appointment and to work with the City in advancing our vibrant arts economy.
My goals for the Council in 2021 will start by strengthening our work on LkldArts.org. This was a huge step forward in giving our arts economy a unified voice and streamlined access to content for audiences. Next, the Council will finalize a pathway for emerging and sustainable arts organizations to participate in LkldArts.org and the City’s annual arts & culture grants process. Arts organizations are small businesses, often a nonprofit or independent contractor, and this is a way the Council can support arts entrepreneurs. My hope is that every viable arts organization knows about this grant opportunity and feels welcome to apply.
The arts were disproportionately and negatively impacted through the pandemic. Many of our Lakeland arts and culture institutions were able to convert some things to virtual and sustain themselves in the short term. But the intrinsic benefits of fellowship and shared experiences that our arts organizations bring their live audiences were lost for a year. The arts economy will need support and advocacy for several years to come.
I look forward to working at the pleasure of the Mayor to support this important part of our great City.
Sincerely,
Kerry Falwell | Chair, Lakeland Mayor’s Council on the Arts
