Update from Seminole County 1/27/2026 BCC Meeting

At the January 27, 2026 Seminole County Commission meeting, the Board of County Commissioners voted to move forward with continued funding for the Seminole Cultural Arts Council (SCAC) after strong public support. Thirteen residents spoke during public comment, and dozens more people attended the meeting to show their support (most wearing green as asked) even if they did not speak. In addition, commissioners received dozens of letters and emails from members of the public urging them to preserve arts funding.

While this vote was an important step, the process is not yet complete. The revised contract between Seminole County and SCAC will return to the Board of County Commissioners for a final vote at a meeting in February. SCAC will continue to keep the community informed as this process moves forward.

SCAC extends sincere thanks to everyone who attended the meeting, spoke, wrote, or otherwise showed their support. Your advocacy made a meaningful difference and demonstrates how deeply the community values arts and culture in Seminole County. We also want to thank the commissioners for their unanimous vote of support to proceed with the funding contracts for SCAC, the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center (Ritz Theater), and the Seminole County arts & culture grant funding. We look forward to continuing to partner with Seminole County Government as we have for many years to benefit the residents of Seminole County. Because when we all support the arts, we all win.

For recaps of the meeting, please read these media articles:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/01/27/seminole-commissioners-agree-to-keep-funding-arts-group/

https://oviedocommunitynews.org/2026/01/29/seminole-county-keeps-funding-for-arts-council-after-residents-speak-out/

Seminole County Arts Funding Threatened Unexpectedly
​at the December 9, 2025 BCC meeting

On December 9, 2025, the Seminole Cultural Arts Council's annual contract with Seminole County Government came up for a vote to be renewed by the Seminole County Commission. During that meeting, Commissioner Amy Lockhart raised concerns about continuing the funding partnership. Commissioner Andria Herr also expressed concerns related to transparency. These concerns had not been communicated to SCAC or County staff before the meeting. The Board voted to table the contract until January 27, 2026, placing SCAC’s funding at risk.

SCAC Executive Director Dr. Deborah Bauer addressed the Board and invited both the only citizen who spoke against the contract and all five county commissioners to meet with her.  Three commissioners agreed to meet with Dr. Bauer. The citizen declined the invitation. Two commissioners did not agree or did not respond to the request. 

SCAC will be forced to close within a year without county funding. This will eliminate grants for local arts organizations, public art programs, student showcases, access to art supplies for schools, and coordinated arts support across Seminole County. There is no alternative Seminole County Government department prepared to assume these responsibilities. If SCAC is defunded, Seminole County will lose its only countywide public arts institution.

The portion of the meeting related to SCAC using the link below (the portion of the meeting relevant to SCAC begins at approximately the 29-minute mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsbga89JJ2Q

​Each year, SCAC works closely with County staff to prepare its budget and annual contract. For the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, SCAC did not request any increase in funding. The proposed contract matched prior years and had already been approved unanimously earlier in April 2025 for the previous fiscal year. Throughout months of budget workshops and public hearings, no concerns were raised by County staff, the public, or County Commissioners.

How the Public Can Help

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the five Seminole County Commissioners will vote to accept or reject SCAC’s annual funding contract. This decision will determine whether SCAC can continue operating and providing arts services to the community.

​The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will take place at the Seminole County Services Building, 1101 East 1st Street, Sanford, Florida 32771. Each member will be given up to 3 minutes to speak.

Members of the public can speak out in support of the arts, SCAC, and support of the students and teachers of Seminole County Public School District. Sharing accurate information on social media helps raise awareness about what is happening and why it matters.

Supporters are encouraged to write emails and letters of support to the Seminole County Commissioners expressing the importance of SCAC and County funding for the arts.

​The most impactful action is attending the Board of County Commissioners meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 1101 East 1st Street in Sanford to show public support for SCAC and the arts in Seminole County.

SCAC: Who We Are and What We Do

The Seminole Cultural Arts Council, known as SCAC, is a nonprofit organization that supports arts, culture, history, and science throughout Seminole County. Founded in 1994, SCAC works to ensure that residents of all ages and backgrounds have access to the arts. Its work includes supporting visual, performing, and literary arts, preserving local history and cultural heritage, and expanding educational opportunities for students, particularly in underserved communities.

SCAC supports schools, teachers, students, artists, and nonprofit arts organizations by providing grants, scholarships, art supplies, public art exhibitions, educational programs, and community events. It also serves as a central source of information for arts and cultural activities across Seminole County and Central Florida.

SCAC’s Relationship with Seminole County Government

SCAC has partnered with Seminole County Government for 31 years. During that time, the County has relied on SCAC to carry out countywide arts and cultural functions that the county does not provide internally. SCAC operates as an independent nonprofit but receives partial funding from the County through an annual funding contract.

In 2023, the County asked SCAC to take over administration of the County’s arts grants program, which had previously been managed in house. SCAC did not request this change but agreed to take on the responsibility to ensure continued support for local arts organizations. In 2025, SCAC awarded nearly $28,000 in grants to ten nonprofit organizations through this program.

​SCAC maintains a high level of accountability. A county-appointed representative serves as a staff liaison to SCAC’s board. SCAC also submits detailed quarterly reports to County Commissioners, the County Manager, and the County Attorney to document how public funds are used.

Still Have Questions?

Please email [email protected] with questions/comments/concerns.

​List of Accomplishments by the Seminole Cultural Arts Council in 2025 

  • SCAC hosted four major fundraising events in 2025 including the 2025 Taste of the Arts Gala, 8th Annual Art of Bowling Fundraiser, the Spring Sip and Shop to Support the Arts Fundraiser, and the Fall Sip and Shop to Support the Arts Fundraiser.
  • Fundraising at the annual Taste of the Arts Gala increased 250% in 2025 as compared with 2024.
  • SCAC funded two art exhibitions under the Art in Public Places Program at the Museum of Seminole County History ("Tell Our Stories" Exhibit) and the Sunshine Gallery at the Jean Rhein Seminole County Central Branch Library in Casselberry ("Arts At the Beginning" Exhibit)
  • SCAC's Summer Internship Program hosted 1 college student from UCF and 2 high school students from SCPS for a total of over 450 hours of educational and vocational training.
  • SCAC had over 25 volunteers dedicate over 2000 volunteer hours to support SCAC in 2025 at a cost savings of approximately $28,000.
  • SCAC facilitated the donation of over $12,000 in art supplies to each art teacher in Seminole County at all 58 elementary, middle, and high schools in the district.
  • In 2025, SCAC sponsored several programs in partnership with other local nonprofits, municipal governments, and local businesses including the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, Seminole County Historical Society, the Lake Mary-Heathrow Festival of the Arts, Leadership Seminole, the City of Casselberry, the City of Sanford, and the City of Oviedo.
  • SCAC sponsored the creation of a dedicated portion of the Seminole County Public Schools district supply store, Tools 4 Schools, for art supplies where all district teachers can get art supplies free of charge for their art classrooms.
  • SCAC partnered with the City of Casselberry and Seminole County Public Schools to create the 1st annual Seminole County Student Art Showcase held in November 2025 at Lake Concord Park. This showcase allowed more than 100 students from eight Seminole County Public Schools participated in the 2025 Seminole County Student Art Showcase, a juried exhibition celebrating exceptional artistic talent and creativity. It was created when the Maitland Art Festival announced is cancellation after 49 years and removed the main opportunity SCPS students had to satisfy the juried requirement for high school graduate pursuing the Florida Seal of Fine Arts. This is a diploma designation for high schoolers showing excellence in Dance, Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts. Without the opportunity offered by the Seminole County Student Art Showcase, dozens of SCPS graduating seniors would not have completed their requirements to qualify for this diploma designation at the Spring 2026 Commencement.
  • SCAC awarded 10 nonprofit organizations $27,942.50 in grant funding for 2025. SCAC is the primary nonprofit that provides funding to artists and arts and culture related nonprofits in Seminole County. It has awarded more than $400,000 in total grant funding since its creation in 1994.