- May 3, 2024
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The Duck Dive made a return appearance in Flagler County on Sunday, May 5, after a six-year absence as the Flagler Auditorium’s fundraiser for its Arts in Education fund.
The Arts in Education fund, which works through a grant application process, recently bought the Matanzas High School dance program costumes for its dance show and gave away $5,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. Next up, they will be sending a large group of students to choral camp and band camp at Florida State University.
“We have so many requests and the funding at all levels is getting cut,” said Lisa McDevitt, Flagler Auditorium director. “We’re talking right now, if this 0.5 milsl doesn’t get pushed through that we will lose our arts in our middle schools. It’s a really important thing to me and our board, and it’s our passion to keep the arts alive.”
The application process will be restructured over the summer, and groups will soon be able to apply through the auditorium's website: www.flaglerauditorium.org.
The casual, luau-themed fundraiser reminded people not to “duck the arts,” and featured Polynesian dancers and a slew of community leaders who jumped into the pool to pick the wining rubber ducks.
“I think it takes a lot for some people in our community to say they don’t care that they are going to jump into a 50-degree pool because they are supporting the arts,” McDevitt said.
Some of the included Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts, Vice President of Tourism Development Georgia Turner, Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates President Rebecca DeLorenzo, Assistant Superintendent of Flagler Schools Jacob Oliva, Palm Coast Fire Chief Mike Beadle and members of the Flagler Auditorium board of directors.
“An investment in the arts is an investment in your community, and I’m a firm believer in that and I would hate to see the arts leave our community,” McDevitt said. “I think it’s just now becoming thriving, and I think it’s important for your community to have arts and culture.”
