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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 12 signed a bill for the state budget that wiped out state arts and culture grants, eliminating $32 million that would have gone to large and small organizations throughout the state.
The money already had been appropriated months ago by the Florida Legislature. Now theater, visual art, dance, music and other cultural and artistic organizations are hoping to find ways to trim back without laying off staff or cutting programs.
Janis Klein-Cohen, board chair of ArtSouth, an organization whose mission is to inspire understanding and appreciation of the arts for historically underrepresented communities by providing inclusive cultural access to exhibitions, performances and educational programs, was upset by the action.
“ArtSouth was amongst the other 600-plus organizations that lost Florida funding support scheduled to begin July 1,” said Klein-Cohen. “We are dismayed by the governor’s indiscriminate decision to eliminate all funding to museums, theaters, arts organizations, galleries. Never before have we experienced such an aggressive attack on public arts, especially from a public official.”
Jamie Perez Sutta, founder and artistic director of The Children’s Voice Chorus, an organization based in Palmetto Bay that “empowers diverse young people in Miami with artistic and life skills through experiences in vocal music” and has had performances in many venues around South Florida and even a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City, is concerned about the cuts.
“The cuts are having an effect on our budget, but we will not let it impact our actual work. We’re working hard to make up for the loss.”
Elvis Fuentes of the Coral Gables Museum also is concerned. They are conducting an online auction of artwork, in collaboration with Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, and the Historical Resources and Cultural Arts Department, to raise money.
“The governor’s veto to arts and culture is unsurprising but no less devastating since it means cuts to general support and maintenance of facilities,” Fuentes said. “For Coral Gables Museum it’s a major blow for it accounts for about 10 percent of our annual budget, and we care for a historic building in need of constant attention. It also comes at a pivotal moment as we prepare for the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Coral Gables next year.
“DeSantis will be remembered in our community’s history as the shortsighted governor who tried to skew Coral Gables Centennial Celebration yet failed to do so,” Fuentes added.
GableStage Theatre Company in Coral Gables, with a mission to provide South Florida audiences with theatrical works of artistic excellence that confront today’s issues and ideas, is wondering how to find the funds to maintain staff and performances. They told supporters that “we fell victim to the heartless power of a veto pen.”
Many other theater groups, museums, cultural centers, art, music and dance organizations are also impacted by the cuts.
Editor’s Note: We have received numerous press releases from other local arts organizations concerning the cuts’ effect on the budgets of non-profit arts organizations. Some additional comments from those are as follows:
Dance NOW! Miami
“You probably heard by now, but Gov. DeSantis has vetoed the State Arts budget, cutting nearly all of Florida’s funding for the arts- $32 million. Dance NOW! Miami, alongside many other arts groups has lost all of its state funding.
“We are deeply disappointed and believe this short-sighted decision will have devastating consequences for not only our organization, but to our vibrant and culturally rich region.”
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida
“This decision brings devastating news for Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida and 663 other arts and culture organizations across the State of Florida, all of which are affected in numerous ways.
“Our budget for the upcoming season is greatly impacted by this situation. We lost the entire funding from the state for our organization.”
Coral Gables Art Cinema
“What this means for Coral Gables Art Cinema is significant: $101,637 (10 percent) will be cut from our budget, which will affect our entire operations immediately and into the next fiscal year.”
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