Funding Cuts Impact Miami’s Arts and Cultural Organizations
Miami’s arts and cultural scene is facing a significant blow after Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million in grant funding from the state budget. This decision affects over 600 arts and cultural organizations across Florida, including about 130 in Miami-Dade County. Among the impacted are the Miami Book Fair, previously slated to receive $55,000, a Jewish community center expecting $70,415, an artist residency with $46,530, and a youth dance group with $70,500. Now, these groups will receive nothing.
“This is unprecedented,” said Allyn Ginns Ayers, associate director of Dance Now! Miami and director of LegalARTLink at Locust Projects. The veto has left many arts organizations scrambling to adjust their budgets, programming, and staff salaries. Smaller organizations, in particular, are expected to struggle the most.
The organizations impacted are the Holocaust Memorial Committee, Miami City Ballet, Zoo Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Perez Art Museum Miami, and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. A nonprofit theater group in Miami called Gablestage’s creative director, Bari Newport, voiced her anger by stating, “Depending on the size of the organization, it’s either fatal or beyond an inconvenience.” The funding for Gablestage was reduced from $150,000 to nothing.
Community Response and Future Implications
The veto was part of nearly $1 billion in line-item cuts DeSantis made before signing the state’s $116.5 billion 2024-25 budget. The governor has not provided specific reasons for cutting arts grants. A spokesperson stated that the veto decisions are “in the best interest of the State of Florida.”
Brenda Moe, executive director of Coral Gables Art Cinema, voiced confusion and concern. The cinema has received state grants for over a decade and uses the funds for general expenses such as salaries, rent, and licensing of new films. This year, the cinema expected $47,000 but instead received nothing.
Dance Now! Miami, which was supposed to receive over $25,000, will have to rework its budget and may scale back programming to keep dancers employed. Arts organizations had been planning their budgets and programming based on the anticipated funding, making the sudden cuts particularly challenging.
Arts leaders are urging community support through ticket purchases and advocacy for arts funding. Moe emphasized, “Our work stands on its own… We know that we’re important.” The arts and culture sector significantly impacts Florida’s economy, generating over $151 billion in economic activity and supporting 2.6 million jobs.
The cuts also ripple effect on local businesses that benefit from arts patrons. In Coral Gables, restaurants, parking services, and shops rely on the influx of audience members attending performances and events. Moe described the cuts as “devastating.”
Ayers suggested that arts organizations should start diversifying their funding sources to mitigate future risks, though this is a daunting task given the competition for limited funds. Ayers said that advocacy for arts funding is crucial as organizations face an uncertain future regarding state support.
Bari Newport highlighted the irreplaceable value of the arts in society, questioning the rationale behind the funding cuts. “You’ve never been transported by a piece of visual art?” she asked. “Really? You haven’t read something that has moved you?”
The veto has left the arts community reeling and uncertain about the future, underscoring the vital need for continued support and advocacy.
