We are so fortunate here in South Florida to have so many wonderful cultural activities. For those of you who have grown up here, you may remember that at one time, Miami was considered a cultural wasteland. No more! South Florida, with its multicultural arts community, is home to many different talented and dedicated companies and artists. Most of us now find ourselves with not enough time on our calendar for everything we want to see. That's the good news!

The bad news is that the arts are in trouble! There is just not enough money, and for most companies, balancing the operating budgets has become difficult. To make a bad situation worse, the Florida Legislature has cut funding to the arts by a shocking two-thirds. Due to this reality, our member, Marylin Holzberg has formed an Advocacy section on the CIA website to keep us apprised of what is happening in politics, and to identify some ways we can help.

We encourage anyone who is interested in the arts to join us, even if you cannot attend monthly meetings. CIA is a "feel good' organization doing good deeds for the arts community. Strength is gained in numbers and our interesting members enjoy working together as equals, all Indians and no Chiefs!

Citizens Interested in Arts, Inc. (CIA) has made an impact on the arts community in South Florida by giving Grants for the past ten years, to well-deserving performing and visual artists and arts organizations. We like to say that we save starving artists. While it is a bit dramatic, it isn't far from wrong! CIA has come to the rescue on more than one occasion with special Grants. Please look at our impressive list of grantees for 2007-2008 and prior years. CIA is proud to be able to give away all monies collected. 100% of dues and special donations go to Grants!

The CIA is unique to South Florida in many ways. 

We are an affordable organization. Other South Florida arts organizations charge $1000 and up to join while the CIA dues are a modest $125 per year. 
We are the only South Florida arts organization that does extensive fundraising. We have lovely fundraising activities that not only enable us to earn more money for grants, but also make our meetings quite sociable. 
At most of our monthly meetings, we have performances by one of our grantees and our members look forward to the up-front and personal advantage of meeting the artists. 
CIA members are a blend of all ages, socioeconomic groups and ethnicities. We ARE South Florida! South Floridians who enjoy the many aspects of the arts and care about its sad plight.
We are currently organizing a Men's Committee headed by Dr. Bernard J. Simmons which has already exceeded all expectations. This will enable Citizens Interested in Arts, Inc. to grow in membership in the coming year.
Welcome to our Website! Visit us regularly. Keep yourself informed about CIA and the Arts in South Florida.
THERE ARE NO PAID EMPLOYEES IN CIA- EVERYONE IS A VOLUNTEER.  ALL MONIES RAISED GO DIRECTLY TO OUR GRANTEES.

Currently the Grant Application amounts requested have increased five-fold, and the number of those requesting Grants has more than doubled. The Arts in South Florida are in trouble. We at the CIA wish we had more money for grants, and this is why we are putting more effort into fundraising events and increasing membership. CIA has given away over $500,000 and the needs of the South Florida Arts Community are now greater than ever. As you will see on other pages of our website, we have strict criteria to which each group must adhere. Our Grant Committee, headed by Dr. Dorothy G. Koreman, puts a lot of time and effort into selection to review the incoming grants. 

We are very proud to be members of the CIA and are not just ladies and gentlemen who "do lunch". Many are volunteers, Board members of Arts organizations, and attend meetings. Many just support the CIA by paying dues, as a way to participate in funding the Arts. Either way, we would like your support. Please join us! Our monthly luncheons are not only congenial, with discussions on important issues concerning the arts, but we enjoy each other and the entertainment. 

Join the CIA! If you are a CIA member already, please encourage a friend to join! Sign up today, using the Membership Form in this website. Whether you join us or not, please support the arts in South Florida! Help continue the legacy of a thriving arts community.

Thank you on behalf of the Board of Directors.