WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Members of the community in Polk County are stepping up to financially support local organizations impacted by Governor Ron DeSantis‘ veto of all art and cultural funding earlier this summer.
Theatre Winter Haven, that sells over 70,000 tickets a year through their various productions, expected to receive $145,000 through a state grant for the next fiscal year.
“I was sad that the arts have come a political football,” said Dan Chesnicka, the theatre’s executive director. “I think we transcend that. I think we provide a great service to people in this community and all of Polk County and beyond, really.”
Chesnicka says the cuts are going to have to come from their non-revenue producing areas and will disproportionately affect those who really need it.
“It’s things like our theatre program for kids with developmental or physical disabilities,’ said Chesnicka. “Our senior performer group that goes into nursing homes and assisted living facilities.”
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