The National Association of Counties (NACo) recognized Broward County Cultural Division projects with three achievement awards that celebrate innovative and effective government programs that enhance the quality of life for residents.

The Cultural Division was recognized for creating and executing a pandemic pivot program that virtually helped artists develop their business skills. The Division also received awards for two innovative public art projects at Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The three awards were presented at the 86^th annual NACo Conference near Washington, DC, and were among a total of 18 awards received by Broward County. Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi were among the featured speakers at the conference.

In the category of Community and Economic Development, the Cultural Division received an achievement award for:

• Business Skills for the Modern Creator series, which was commended for its “incredible pivot” during the pandemic. The virtual workshops provided artists with training and skills to become successful entrepreneurs, and were viewed/attended by more than 6,195 creatives.

For information about the Broward Cultural Division’s new 2021 Business Skills for Creatives series, which are free to attend and take place throughout July with an all-new session in Spanish in August, visit ArtsCalendar.com/BizSkills.

Read about the series here: Back in Business

The Cultural Division was also recognized with Achievement Awards in the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation category for:

• Harbormaster Tower Mural at Port Everglades, a vivid, nine-story mural on the Port’s iconic Harbormaster Tower painted by artist Ernesto Maranje. The mural conveys an environmentally impactful message with its depiction of two species of birds native to Broward County – the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and the American White Ibis – and is visible to visitors, workers, thousands of boaters who pass by daily, and residents who live within view of the Port.
  
• In-Flight Public Art Mural on the North Runway’s Jet Blast Deflector  
  The 445-foot long mural on Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s jet blast deflector was created through a partnership between the Cultural Division and the Airport and is believed to be the first of its kind on a newly opened and rehabilitated runway. Painted by marine and wildlife artist Peter Agardy, the six-foot high mural on the corrugated metal panel of the jet blast deflector redirects exhaust blast as aircraft prepare for takeoff. With its theme of flight in nature, the mural juxtaposes modern air travel with images of iconic fish, birds and city skylines.

About Broward Cultural Division 
The Broward Cultural Division advances arts and culture throughout greater Fort Lauderdale by investing in the creative sector and providing capacity building opportunities for artists, organizations and creative talent through events and activities that fuel Broward’s creative infrastructure. The Cultural Division includes the county’s Public Art & Design program, as well as grant programs that provide over $4.5 in annual support for Broward-based cultural organizations and artists, and engages the community in education and advocacy initiatives that support arts education at the local, state and federal levels. For more information on programs, grants, calls-to-artists and more, visit @BrowardArts on Facebook or Instagram or visit Broward.org/Arts.