- February 24, 2026
Will the Volusia County Council reverse its decision to withhold cultural grant funds to local arts organizations?
The council will make a decision on Tuesday, March 3, more than four months after officials voted against awarding $611,000 in Cultural Council grants to 33 organizations over concerns with two theaters — DeLand's Athens Theatre and Lake Helen's Shoestring Theatre — hosting third-party drag shows and Pride events. The decision impacted local groups including the Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach Historical Society, Daytona Playhouse, the Daytona Beach Symphony Society and the Museum of Arts and Sciences (now renamed The Brown).
Both theaters then withdrew their applications for grant funding, in hopes the council would fund the remaining 31 organizations. The council refused to budge, even as arts directors explained the lack of grant funds would impact programming, children's scholarships and free community initiatives.
At the council's meeting on Feb. 17, County Councilman Matt Reinhart made a motion to reconsider awarding the 2025-2026 cultural grants at their next meeting.
"I've heard the arts community come up and talk, and they've come here time and time again," he said.
The Feb. 17 meeting was no exception. Almost a year earlier, the council approved new guidelines for the grant program, said Lloyd Bowers, a member of the Cultural Council. He asked the council to follow the rules they set — at least for the 2025-2026 cycle.
"I think you've made it clear to this arts community where the future of cultural grants from this organization is coming, and that is none," Bowers said. "But for this current year, you have really severely impacted these organizations in a way they should not have been, if you had just followed the rules."
Under the new guidelines, organizations applying for the funding were asked to outline what programs would be funded via the Cultural Council grant dollars.
None of the programs listed by any of the arts and culture organizations — including Athens Theatre and Shoestring Theatre — mentioned any drag performances or LGBTQ+ events. The list instead showed art exhibits, children's plays, community concerts, programs for veterans, summer camps and history events.
Since the Athens Theatre and Shoestring Theatre have withdrawn their applications, the council is set to reconsider awarding $571,926 in funds to the remaining 31 organizations. If a vote to fund the art groups fails, the funds will be reallocated to upgrading or installing sidewalks, per a motion made by County Councilman Troy Kent.
A vote to reconsider the Cultural Grant funds passed 4-3; Kent, along with Chair Jeff Brower and Councilman Danny Robins, voted no.
According to the Volusia County Cultural Alliance, the original grant allocation of $611,758 represented 0.04% of the county's $1.4 billion budget. The grant funds generate $2 in local tax revenue for every $1 invested by the county.
"Ending this funding threatens local jobs, children’s arts programs, summer camp scholarships, concerts, and exhibitions that keep our cultural institutions alive," the nonprofit advocacy group wrote on its website. "Without this support, organizations may cut staff, cancel events, and close doors — leaving a lasting gap in the community’s creative and economic vitality."
