County Clerk Pam Childers has refused to cut checks to the nonprofits and cultural organizations trying to book performers and other events for Foo Foo Fest.
Several events may have to be canceled if Childers doesn’t relent.
The clerk hasn’t had any issues with the popular festival that was launched during her tenure 11 years ago.
What is at risk? This events were approved for grants in May.
The 2024 grant recipients include:
309 Punk Project
309 Punk Project is the only artist-run nonprofit organization in the South committed solely to archiving the creative efforts of the punk culture of our region. It is 309 Punk Project’s primary goal to serve the local and regional community as an archive, residency, and venue for divergent practices in DIY culture and contemporary art that critically examines the sociopolitical cultural moment that is shaping all our lives.
Choral Society of Pensacola
The Choral Society of Pensacola, a staple in the arts community, exemplifies the city’s history of support for the fine arts.
Fiesta Pensacola
The Fiesta organization was formed to celebrate the founding of Pensacola: America’s First Settlement. Fiesta plans and produces over 20 events throughout the year with the help of a plethora of volunteers.
Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida
The Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida, Inc. (JAS of NWFL) is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, with membership consisting of both individuals and interested organizations. The Society’s mission is to work toward fostering and promoting stronger ties of friendship and understanding between the U.S. and Japan. The goal is to cultivate and enriching and mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. and Japan, based on a spirit of goodwill.
Legal Services of North Florida & Jazz for Justice
Jazz for Justice is a premier annual jazz event benefiting the Legal Services of North Florida, a nonprofit organization that serves low-income individuals and families across the Florida panhandle by providing free civil legal help to eligible clients. In its sixth year with Foo Foo Festival, Jazz for Justice (JFJ) plans to expand its cultural and music offerings by bringing well-known musicians and local artists together for a unique jazz and blues festival in downtown Pensacola. Jazz for Justice will once again present a lineup of nationally-recognized jazz talents.
Night Moves Inc
Night Moves is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of establishing a safe place for musicians, artists, and their associated communities to express themselves in creative and positive ways.
PenArts
PenArts is a non-profit (501c3) that brings theatrical arts to all members of the Pensacola community as well as professional theatrical productions to an already vibrant Pensacola theatre scene.
Pensacola Museum of Art
The Pensacola Museum of Art aims to facilitate the preservation, understanding, and engagement of visual culture for audiences in the Northwest Florida region and beyond through its permanent collection, interpretive programs, and a dynamic exhibition schedule.
Pensacola Opera
The mission of Pensacola Opera is to enrich the culture of Northwest Florida by producing professional opera performances, educational programs, and other opera-related community events for people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds.
Pensacola State College
Pensacola State College is a public, comprehensive community college that was founded as Pensacola Junior College in 1948. As the oldest and largest college in the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola State College serves traditional and non-traditional students in Northwest Florida and Southern Alabama.
The University of West Florida Historic Trust
The West Florida Historic Preservation creates opportunities for visitors, community, students, faculty, and staff to experience the authentic and diversely rich history of Northwest Florida.
Wide Angle Photo Club
The Wide Angle Photo Club welcomes all photographers – from experienced professionals to photography beginners. Their members develop new skills, share their ideas, and come together to celebrate the art and science of photography.
WSRE-TV Foundation
WSRE is Northwest Florida’s Public Broadcasting Service member station licensed to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees and supported by WSRE-TV Foundation, Inc. WSRE PBS positively impacts local communities through education, entertainment, and engagement by providing everyone access to the highest quality media content and by engaging all children in essential learning activities.