{"id":24829,"date":"2024-12-10T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T10:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/?p=24829"},"modified":"2024-12-10T08:52:09","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T08:52:09","slug":"florida-specialty-plate-spotlight-series-state-of-the-arts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/florida-specialty-plate-spotlight-series-state-of-the-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Specialty Plate Spotlight Series: State of the Arts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello and welcome to our blog here at eTags.\u00a0 Now, if you\u2019ve been hanging out with us for a while, perhaps you will have noticed that we don\u2019t often wax poetic.\u00a0 We\u2019re mostly about the practical, the useful, the logical, the most current.\u00a0 Today, however, we\u2019re going to take just the slightest of turns and drop in a hint of the philosophical. Because, of course, it is related to something automotive.<\/p>\n

(You didn\u2019t think we\u2019d veer that <\/em>far from our favorite topic, did you?)<\/p>\n

In today\u2019s Florida Specialty Spotlight Series, we\u2019re going to highlight one of the most popular license plates available in the state. And because we\u2019re feeling inspired, we\u2019re going to start it off with an idea from the beloved, renegade writer, Tom Robbins.\u00a0 He speaks about the importance of art for human beings, calling it \u201cnon-essential.\u201d\u00a0 But here\u2019s what he means:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe non-essential can be very essential, indeed, if for no other reason than that an environment reduced to essentials is a subhuman environment in which only drones will thrive.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>How does this apply to us, to eTags, to Specialty Plates, you ask?\u00a0 Well, today\u2019s feature is none other than the State of the Arts tag.\u00a0 And it made sense to us to delve a little into the significance of Art in a society.\u00a0 Just in case there are folks out there who might be pondering the value of this plate, wondering about its worthiness as opposed to a tag that supports wildlife preservation or search and rescue missions or health research. \"State<\/p>\n

The non-essential as essential\u2026 we love this perspective, and we\u2019re sticking to it!<\/p>\n

Anyhoo, philosophy aside, those of you with any sort of appreciation for arts and expression will already know the impact they have on humanity, and will want to champion them in any way possible. That\u2019s precisely where the Specialty Plate Program comes in.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how the program works:<\/h2>\n

The state of Florida offers its residents over one hundred special registration tags with varying designs.\u00a0 Each motif is individually designed by a different artist and represents a different theme. For example, it could be a sports team, an endangered species, an environmental concern, women\u2019s issues, safety and awareness, military, and local emergency services, to name a few. But the plate is more than just a way to flex your expression, to show the world what your interests, hobbies, passions, or concerns are.\u00a0Behind each Specialty Plate lies a cause.<\/p>\n

We like to say that the Specialty Plate is more than just a pretty face.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is the face of support, funding, and contributions to the charity or foundation connected to the theme.\u00a0 Thus, every time someone purchases a Specialty Plate, the extra funds collected go directly to the associated program(s). \"Music<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Specialty Plate, the State of the Arts tag directs its proceeds to the Florida Art and Creativity Fund<\/a>.\u00a0 And in turn, the fund directs this revenue to arts organizations, arts programs, and arts activities.<\/p>\n

Created by the Legislature in 1994, the Florida Arts License Plate Program collects whatever money comes as a result of the tag\u2019s sales, and distributes them to all the counties where the plate is available.\u00a0 Each county will have its own unique arts programs, organizations, and activities that are supported by this funding.<\/p>\n

The counties are responsible for designating which programs, organizations and activities will benefit from this assistance.\u00a0 In this way, there is no umbrella foundation or general requirement for where revenue must be distributed. Instead, the FLHSMV (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle) directs all monies directly to the counties, and the counties are free to decide where that support best serves their community.\"Dance<\/p>\n

Some of the areas that benefit from this funding are:<\/h2>\n