Art Job Saved! Robert E. Davis Reels It In at Cinema Paradiso

Broward Cultural Division distributed economic recovery funds to 17 arts organizations including Cinema Paradiso, which retained a position that was previously slated for elimination due to financial cut backs.  Robert E. Davis assists with programming daily film screenings, special film series events, and educational programs while successfully serving a diverse and art-conscious community.

To date, 47 arts jobs in Broward County were retained through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and a national American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) enacted through the Obama Administration.

Cinema Paradiso is one of South Florida's most unique theaters. Operated by the Broward County Film Society and home of the annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, it is known for its role as Broward County's only full time Art House theater, showcasing the finest in independent and foreign films, along with documentaries and classic films not shown anywhere else on the big screen.

As a hub for the local and international film community, filmmakers, press, investors, celebrities, and movie fans from around the world gather during the annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival; and many will spend the bulk of their time in Fort Lauderdale at Cinema Paradiso!

Davis will specifically assist with the programming of The Italia Festa and the Perrier French Film Festival, selecting, procuring and writing program notes for the 24 Year Retrospective; and negotiating celebrity appearances. He will also be involved in the preparation of the Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival – the longest running film festival in the world. All this saved, through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and a national American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Through the economic stimulus package, Broward County’s Cultural Division received a $250,000 grant, and in turn re-granted the funds through an ARRA Lifeline application process. These funds were specifically directed to restore jobs in the arts, endorsing the notion that the non-profit arts industry is an important sector of the economy. Arts organizations had the opportunity to apply for funds to provide salary support for an existing staff member who would otherwise have been laid off; or to re-engage artistic/contracted services already let go.

Even before the Obama Administration signed the ARRA into law on February 17, 2009, County staff was immediately mobilized to respond. The Broward Cultural Council as well as the Cultural Division moved quickly to execute these grants and distribute the funds to the cultural organizations. Also, a Broward County Stimulus Grants Coordination Office, www.broward.org/recovery was established for the purpose of centralizing the identification, development, review, approval and tracking for grants and contracts resulting from ARRA. The office is managed by Linda Ross, stimulus grants coordinator with Broward County.

For further information on the list of grantees, or this program, visit the Broward Cultural Division website; or contact Jim Shermer 954-357-7502; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .