What is the

Northern Palm Beaches

Cultural Alliance?

One objective of the Cultural Alliance is to bring together not only the area's cultural institutions -- including museums, art galleries, theaters and nature attractions -- but also others who want to strengthen the cultural sector, including businesses, the media, government and individuals.

The Alliance was incorporated in June 2004 and has tax-exempt (501 (c)(3)) status with the Internal Revenue Service.

               Recent projects include:

               1. A presence at local festivals and other public events, where we

               promote our cultural group members.

               2. Sponsorship of Business After Hours for the Northern Palm Beach

               County Chamber of Commerce, where our members can present

               exhibits and performances to the business community to showcase their

               work.
              

               3. Marketing projects that include a cultural guide brochure and DVD

               that features segments about local attractions.
              

Background

The Cultural Alliance developed from an Honors College program called Discussion Dinners, which brings together local residents to explore topics with faculty members.  At a dinner on arts and culture in May 2003, several participants voiced a desire for more cooperation among local cultural institutions, which face many common issues, and asked for a larger meeting.
    

As a result, a January 2004 meeting was convened by the Honors College, which was attended by representatives of 12 cultural, business and government entities.  At that meeting, attendees discussed several ideas for joint projects and decided to hold another meeting.
    

That session, in March 2004, also hosted by the Honors College, attracted representatives from 17 groups, and the participants voted unanimously to form a permanent organization.
    

On May 3, 2004, the Cultural Alliance adopted several organizing measures, including a name, mission statement and membership structure, and elected a board of directors, to formally become a separate  group.
    

For more information about the Northern Palm Beaches Cultural Alliance, write to us at P.O. Box 1124, Jupiter, FL 33468-1124; or call Roger Buckwalter at 747-1404 or e-mail him at rogekar@aol.com.

Funding

At present, our fund-raising program consists of several elements:

               1. Dues of $100 per year for organizations, businesses and

               governments, and $50 per year for individuals.
    

               2. Grants for specific projects. We received $1,000 from "The Palm

               Beach Post" for the brochure's first printing, another $1,000 for its

               second printing and the same for a third printing; $500 from Procida

               Tile for the September 2005 bus tour; $600 from "The Jupiter Courier"

               for the 2006 Business After Hours, and $300 from the Town of Juno

               Beach, as well as other donations of cash and in-kind services for our 

               projects.
    

               The Alliance has 501 (c)(3) status, which will help us get additional

               grants. We have made initial contact with Palm Beach County

               government concerning this. 
    

               Future grants will be sought from cultural support groups such as the

               Palm Beach County Cultural Council, the Palm Beach County Tourist

               Development Council and the Non-Profit Resource Institute, affiliated

               with the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. We

               have made contacts with all these organizations.
    

               3. Assessments for specific projects. Members who participated in

               "The Jupiter Courier" advertising paid their share directly to the

               Alliance, and the Alliance paid the "Courier" each month. This funding

               system also was used to produce a DVD that highlights Alliance

               members.

               4. A March 13, 2005, fund-raising performance, silent auction and art

               sale noted above, which raised $1,800 to benefit our cultural members,

               the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and Loxahatchee River Historical Society,

               whose facilities suffered extensive damage during hurricanes Frances

               and Jeanne in September 2004.
    

               5. Different levels of membership above the minimum dues level, for

               which donors will receive various gifts, as described in a flier.  This flier

               was included in the October 2007 newsletter of the Jupiter-

               Tequesta-Juno Beach Chamber of Commerce.

All of our fund-raising is being done on a volunteer basis by our members, without cost to the Cultural Alliance.

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