- April 25, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
The Ormond Beach City Commission unanimously approved a service agreement at the meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 8, with the Ormond Memorial Art Museum to ensure the continuation of its art outreach programs and preservation of the gardens.
The agreement states that in exchange for the city's annual contribution of $48,640, OMAM will be responsible for hosting an average of seven professionally-curated art exhibitions, conducting free family art nights, representing the city at the Volusia County Cultural Alliance and partnering with the city for community cultural events, among other responsibilities. In turn, the city will take care of any interior and exterior repairs to the building and gardens as well as pay all utility bills.
“All pistons are firing. Ormond Beach and the art museum — it’s a great fit.”
Troy Kent, Ormond Beach City Commissioner for Zone 2
For the commissioners, some of whom grew up playing in the museum's gardens, the partnership remains a positive move for the city.
“They’re like a hidden jewel in this community," City Commissioner Rick Boehm said. "They don’t go out of their way to beat their drum, but boy, they have a lot of programs that benefit everything from children to senior citizens and, particularly close to my heart, veterans.”
The museum gardens contain memorials for numerous generations of veterans, from those who served in World War I to those who served in Vietnam. It also hosts an annual exhibition for art created by local veterans. Boehm said everyone should be proud of what the museum does.
City Commissioner Troy Kent relayed his fond memories of playing games like tag and hide-and-seek as a boy in the afternoons when he left Osceola Elementary. He said growing up, even the waterfall seemed like something "out of a movie" for him.
“All pistons are firing," Kent said. "Ormond Beach and the art museum — it’s a great fit.”
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington said the museum is an asset for the city. He, like Kent, used to play in the museum's gardens.
“It’s just an amazing oasis in the heart of our city, and we’re lucky to have that partnership," Partington said.
