In a significant blow to Florida’s arts and culture community, Florida. Gov Ron DeSantis has vetoed over $70,000 in funding for GableStage, which accounts for 3-4 percent of their budget.
It’s a move that is part of a broader series of cuts that have impacted over 600 arts organizations across the state.
For the past 25 years, GableStage, located in the historic horse stables of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, has faced severe financial challenges due to these cuts.
The theater, which has a robust following and a rich history as the Florida Shakespeare Theater, is grappling with the loss.
Bari Newport, an artistic director with GableStage Producing, told Local 10 News that the funds for the stable support salaries for teaching artists who provide programming for Miami-Dade high schools and senior citizens.
“There’s over 600 organizations, theater companies, dance companies, art galleries and museums,” she said “The sheer volume of it is what so astounding and it really makes up such a small part of the state of Florida budget.”
The effects of the governor’s vetoes are being felt across South Florida.
Marjorie Waldo, the president and CEO of Delray’s Arts Garage, described the cuts as “devastating,” noting that her organization faces a 5% budget reduction.
Waldo says this will likely lead to program cuts and layoffs, reducing the cultural offerings that attract tourists and enrich the community:
“The impact of Governor DeSantis’ veto of arts and culture line items in his budget is devastating to South Florida. We all work all the time so hard to stretch every dollar we can,” said Waldo “It is a five percent urgent cut — that is a significant cut. You are limiting our ability to provide a lot of the programming that is not only wonderful for our local communities but for the state because it drives tourism to our locations. “The budget cuts in the state of Florida through Governor Desantis’ veto affect Arts Garage deeply. Looking at cutting programs and people —that is the only thing that can be cut. There is nothing left to do.”
Phillip Dunlap, Broward County’s director of cultural affairs, spoke about the unprecedented nature of these cuts, which total approximately $32 million in grants statewide.
“It did catch everybody off guard because this is quite unprecedented,” said Dunlap. “What people didn’t count on is that the governor would veto the already-approved appropriations.”
Less than a decade ago, Florida ranked third in the nation for arts funding. Now, the state is at the bottom, with significant economic repercussions. In Broward County alone, the loss of $3.3 million in arts funding translates to a $30 million economic hit and threatens 7,000 jobs.
“We know it is a $30 million economic impact, hit to our local economy, and the 7000 jobs the arts industry supports — maybe now less than that,” Dunlap added.
The arts are not just a cultural cornerstone but also an economic driver.
Dunlap told Local 10 News that arts funding supports local businesses, from restaurants to retail shops, and contributes significantly to the local economy. The economic return on investment in arts and culture is substantial, with Broward County seeing a 9:1 return.
“It is not just the people who consume arts, it is the people that depend on it,” he said. “There are real impacts to the loss of this funding.”
“It’s where people go to shop next door, get ice cream after the event so just economically, we are a big reason why people spend money and why people move to a place,” said Newport. “That is what makes a community distinctive is the art and culture.”
Response and future actions
Efforts are underway to address the funding crisis.
State Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Broward, said he contacted the governor’s office for insight, and organizations like Americans for the Arts and the Florida Cultural Alliance are exploring possible actions. However, the likelihood of a special legislative session to address the issue seems slim.
Howard Herring, President and CEO of New World Symphony, told Local 10 News in a statement Thursday, “New World Symphony has always been proud to receive funding from the State of Florida, which we saw as a recognition of the enormous benefit that arts organizations bring to our communities. It is well documented that the arts provide purpose, context, and a sense of belonging as well as significant economic impact. Now, more than ever, we must invest in the arts to ensure a brighter future for all.”
A spokesperson for the governor’s office defended the vetoes, stating that each decision was made in the best interest of the state:
“The governor reviews every bill and appropriation that comes across his desk and uses his authority under the Florida Constitution to make veto decisions that are in the best interest of the State of Florida.”
Area Stage, a performing arts theater in South Miami, also released a statement Thursday on the budget cuts:
Read DeSantis’ veto list in the document below.
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