Committee approves $250,000 for arts fest

Sarasota County Commissioners created the Festival Steering Committee to direct about $1 million in bed-tax money toward a festival or several arts events.

The city of Sarasota previously committed $100,000 to the RIAF, and the Manatee County Commission said it would provide $250,000 if Sarasota County did.

But local arts groups feel left out of the equation. They feel that some of the county’s bed-tax money should go to local arts organizations, because they draw many of those tourists staying in hotels.

The Festival Steering Committee recommendation goes to the Tourist Development Council, which will then make its recommendation to the county commission.