By Victoria C. Carrion-Toledo
Herald Intern
The Seminole Cultural Arts Council is one vote away from being fully funded for the fiscal year of 2025-2026, keeping alive the arts and educational programs for the community.
On January 27, during a Seminole County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the SCAC received a vote to continue funding, following strong public support with a revised contract set to return for the final vote in February.
While the final vote was initially set for February 24, the item was not heard during that meeting and was rescheduled. The final vote will now take place on March 24.
If approved, the SCAC, which is a nonprofit organization that supports arts, culture, history and science programs will continue providing grants, scholarships, art supplies, public exhibitions and educational programs for schools and the community throughout the county.
On December 9, 2025, during a BCC meeting, the organization’s contract faced possible termination as commissioners prepared to vote on whether to renew its annual funding contract for the upcoming year.
Without their support, this would have meant putting grants, student showcases and public art programs at risk across the county.
“If SCAC is defunded, it would have a catastrophic impact on art programs and Seminole County Public School students,” said Dr. Deborah Bauer, executive director of the SCAC. She continued, “Defunding SCAC would further strip schools of critical resources and recognition opportunities. SCAC facilitated the donation of more than $12,000 in art supplies to art teachers at all 58 Seminole County public schools.”
Following the December meeting, Bauer invited commissioners and community members to discuss concerns.
According to the SCAC, on January 27, thirteen residents spoke during public comment, and dozens more attended to show their support. In addition, commissioners received dozens of letters and emails from the community urging them to preserve arts funding.
“We’re proud of our long record of distinguished excellence as the only countywide public arts agency that serves Seminole County residents,” said Dr. Bauer, “We share the belief that the arts enrich our community, strengthen quality of life, and provide meaningful value to all residents of Seminole County.”
According to the SCAC, they recognize that receiving public funding is both an honor and a serious responsibility. “Because these are taxpayer dollars, transparency and accountability must remain at the center of everything we do. This process has reinforced the importance of open dialogue to ensure funds are used responsibly,” said the SCAC.
“We remain deeply appreciative of the commissioners’ unanimous vote at the January 27 meeting and are grateful for their continued support and longstanding partnership,” said Dr. Bauer.
The revised contract between the Seminole County and the Seminole Cultural Arts Council will return to the Board of County Commissioners meeting for a final vote on March 24.
