Solace Insurance
It is satisfying to contribute to future generations of budding artists, who will, in turn contribute to our future economy.
Tampa Bay, FL (PRWEB) November 10, 2014
On October 23, Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (TBBCA) lauded Tampa Bay-based insurance agency Solace Insurance during the TBBCA's 2014 Impact Awards for the agency's contributions to local arts and culture. The Impact Awards serves to honor local businesses, professionals and nonprofit organizations for their support of arts and culture. Solace Insurance was recognized as a winner in the TBBCA's business category.
While some critics may deride contribution to the arts as a folly, especially during times of economic duress, studies prove this assumption to be false. According to the Arts & Economic Prosperity III study conducted by Americans for the Arts, Hillsborough County's nonprofit arts industry generated $298 million in economic activity in 2008 alone (1) – a time when the great recession was in full swing. Furthermore, a fact sheet compiled by the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs states that in Florida, for every $1 donated to the nonprofit arts sector, $8 is returned to the economy in the form of job creation, capital improvements, retail sales and tourism and tax revenues. (2)
For the past nine years, Solace Insurance has been a major sponsor of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, with CEO Bob Childress also sitting on the board of directors for the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation as President Emeritus. In addition to ongoing financial support, Solace Insurance provides strategic guidance and volunteer assistance for the event. The insurance agency also supports the Foundation’s Jazz Education Outreach Program, which provides resources and opportunities to local students through education outreach, internships and intensive jazz schooling sessions with international recording artists.
According to the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, “students with an education rich in the arts have higher GPAs and standardized test scores, lower drop-out rates, and even better attitudes about community service...regardless of socio-economic status.” By supporting the Jazz Education Outreach Program, Childress and Solace Insurance also help to safeguard the next generation.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Childress. “The arts are an important economic driver in the state of Florida and the Tampa Bay region. By supporting the arts, we are not only increasing the quality of life in Tampa Bay, we are helping the economic landscape increase too. I am continuously inspired by the Clearwater Jazz Holiday's educational mission. It is satisfying to contribute to future generations of budding artists, who will, in turn contribute to our future economy.”
The mission of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday is to support music and education in the Tampa Bay area. Over the festival's 35 year history, the annual event has drawn jazz's biggest names to Tampa Bay, including Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie and Buddy Rich. The Clearwater Jazz Holiday contributes approximately $6 million annually to the local economy, again proving that investing in the arts is an investment that pays off.
“Congratulations on Solace Insurance being named 2014 Impact Award Winner for the Business category. Your leadership and support of arts and culture has contributed significantly to creating a vibrant and economically healthy Tampa Bay community,” said Lorna Taylor, TBBCA Chair Board of Directors 2014 and CEO of Premier Eye Care.
Knowing that their contribution to local arts and culture has indeed made an impact, Childress and Solace Insurance will continue to support the arts and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday.
For more information about Solace Insurance, visit http://www.restinsured.com.
About Solace Insurance:
As an independently-owned, full-service agency based in Tampa Bay, Florida, Solace Insurance has over $1 billion in property insured and has provided quality insurance products to customers for over 32 years. Solace is a licensed insurance agency within the top two percent in technology use for agencies nationwide. The company also holds Premier Partner designations with multiple carriers. This status is what allows Solace to offer its customers the most competitive and economical programs available, all while providing expert advice and quality service. From standard auto policies to the more complex multi-tiered insurance programs for home and business, Solace has the depth of resources to find the right policy tailored to each individual and/or company. CEO of Solace, Bob Childress, is one of the twelve agency advisors on the Agent Technical Council in the U.S. for Progressive Insurance. For more information, visit Solace online at http://www.restinsured.com.
About the TBBCA:
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is a nonprofit organization serving Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties with the mission to unite Tampa Bay businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community. This is achieved through advocacy, research, targeted communications, scholarship funds and innovative programs.
1. "2009 Economic Impact Study for Hillsborough County." TBBCA.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. tbbca.org/economic-impact-of-the-arts/.
2. "Arts and Culture Fact Sheet." Florida Department of State, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. dos.myflorida.com/cultural/info-and-opportunities/resources-by-topic/advocacy/arts-and-culture-fact-sheet/.