State of the arts?

The Republican-led Florida Legislature approved a $116 billion budget and sent it to Governor DeSantis for approval. He unilaterally red-line vetoed $32 million the legislative body had approved for supporting arts and culture grant requests in the state. This saved the state 0.028%, which means if you paid $3,000 in state taxes, he saved you $0.77. While seemingly small, this fraction of a percent amounts to significant dollars for civic organizations that enhance the quality of life for Florida communities.

Floridians should know what this $32 million was intended to support. In Southwest Florida, arts organizations generate millions of dollars for local businesses. In 2022 (still in COVID's aftermath), arts coalitions in Lee County alone spent over $60 million a year in operations, and their audiences spent almost $74 million annually. This led to $52 million in local, state and federal government revenue. There are 67 counties in Florida.

The money granted to nonprofits by the state is not without strings. The funds are matched, meaning the receiver must spend an equal amount on similar expenses that they earn through tickets, membership fees, donations, or other non-governmental sources. For groups that lead summer programs for children who need supervision when school is out, the grant funding allows programs to be accessible at a fraction of the cost to parents of school-age children. Grants assist arts groups in improvements to physical spaces in museums or auditoriums, in hiring needed staff for development and educational outreach efforts, and in marketing the opportunities to their communities. In short, this money creates jobs for your neighbors.

I do not wish to gloss over the greatest benefit: a community with cultural vibrancy. Because of visionary leadership Southwest Florida has not one but two professional opera companies. There are multiple orchestral groups, both professional and amateur. In Southwest Florida, you can get up close to a painting or sculpture, see a play, and enjoy a musical with professional equity actors. In Lee County, 86% said they would “feel a sense of loss if that activity or venue was no longer available.” The arts bring us opportunities for understanding. They bind the past to the present, and through reflection the arts create an optimistic future. Artistic artifacts leave a legacy. You think of the French when you consider the Impressionist era. You imagine Spain when you see a flamenco dancer. An accordionist in lederhosen transports you to Bavaria. What cultural relic makes one think, “Florida?”

I serve as artistic director of Choral Artistry. Annually we offer educational outreach events to allow amateur community musicians to learn and perform. Additionally, we present stand-alone and collaborative concerts with other arts groups. The 0.028% state reduction led to a 29% loss of funding for us. We planned to present a concert on November 3 titled "America: Our Home." The repertoire planned was about Americana, with music by American composers and featuring patriotic songs. It was meant to bring voices together in our love of country, regardless of political stripes. When the governor vetoed the grants, we were forced to cancel the concert.

To be clear, there’s always money in a legislative budget that someone finds objectionable. It may be funding for a museum, a civil construction project that cuts trees, a tax cut for a business group, a sports team’s stadium improvement, or pay increases for government officials. The governing body is charged with investing in the state’s future. Why can’t Florida be state of the art when it comes to the state of the arts?

Dr. Trent Brown is professor of Music and director of Choirs at Florida Gulf Coast University and artistic director of Choral Artistry.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: State of the arts?