Miami’s arts and culture organizations are facing a challenging landscape following a series of government funding cuts over the past two years.
The situation has been exacerbated by Governor Ron DeSantis’s veto of over $32 million in art and culture grants from the state budget last year, while President Donald Trump called for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency that has provided crucial funding to support arts initiatives across the nation.
In Miami-Dade County, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s upcoming budget proposal is anticipated to address a significant deficit of roughly $400 million, leading to potential further cuts to the arts and a suggestion to merge the Department of Cultural Affairs with the Library Department.
Gladys Ramirez, the executive director of City Theatre, expressed her disappointment when the organization received no funding from the state grant application, despite expecting at least $60,000.
This loss forced City Theatre to adapt quickly; a part-time employee who was supposed to transition to full-time had to be let go when the funding failed to materialize.
“Money that City Theatre has historically obtained through grants is crucial, covering necessities as simple as parking for artists in downtown Miami,” Ramirez stated.
As the funding landscape continues to shift, support from arts organizations becomes a make-or-break factor for up-and-coming artists striving to grow and gain visibility.
In June, City Theatre concluded its 29th Annual Summer Shorts with the theme of “defunded, not defeated,” opting to scale back their usual production into a reading series due to the financial constraints.
The venue was changed to the Sandrell Rivers Theater, which not only offered free on-site parking but also helped reduce labor costs.
By collaborating with Villain Theatre, City Theatre managed to create a performance that still felt dynamic and engaging, featuring musicians and performances alongside the short plays.
One playful aspect of the reading series was the introduction of a character named Rhonda Sanchez, created to humorously critique Governor DeSantis.
Villain Theatre’s Jannelys Santos portrayed Sanchez, infusing the performance with drag show energy and witty jabs, even addressing Mayor Levine Cava during a show she attended.
Despite applying for future grant cycles, Ramirez is doubtful about obtaining funding again due to new criteria that make it extremely challenging for organizations to qualify.
“They’re making funding very difficult because of the language they’re trying to incorporate; everything needs to be ‘family friendly,'” she warned.
This unrealistic expectation could lead many organizations to face shut-downs, Ramirez fears.
Pioneer Winter Collective, led by choreographer Pioneer Winter, echoes similar sentiments as they focus on storytelling from marginalized communities, particularly the LGBTQ community and those living with HIV.
After the cuts in Florida funding, this organization lost their NEA grant, which would have been their first, intended for a piece called Apollo, exploring themes of mentorship and legacy.
Winter described how the recent grant review process, which previously involved a panel of multiple reviewers, was reduced to only two reviewers this cycle, raising concerns about fairness.
Larry Fields, the executive artistic director of Fantasy Theatre, highlighted this change in grant review processes, indicating that the usual panels, which consisted of eight to twelve members, were now reduced significantly.
Fields has been applying for grants for over two decades and noted that previously, a score of 80 or above was sufficient for at least partial funding, but now, only organizations scoring 95 and above are eligible for financial support.
The Miami Light Project, under the leadership of Beth Boone, has experienced a downward trend in funding over the past three years.
In 2022, they received $90,000 from the State of Florida, which dropped to $60,000 in 2023, and further declined to $45,000 in 2024.
Boone explained that a substantial portion of their resources comes from grants through Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs.
If Levine Cava’s budget proposal is adopted, the department could cease to exist entirely, resulting in further funding loss.
“We’ve lost funding from the state of Florida, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the county due to budget reductions,” Boone stated.
Moreover, major national foundations that have historically sponsored similar initiatives are also withdrawing their support, leaving the arts funding landscape in crisis.
All four organizations discussed various strategies to navigate these financial challenges.
Approaches included reducing project scales, relying on personal savings, employing fewer staff, and seeking individual sponsorships.
Pioneer Winter emphasized the importance of fighting for the arts, stating, “Art is self-expression, belonging, and dignity.
When you take away our ability to express ourselves, our sense of belonging, or our dignity, it raises critical questions about the kind of society we want to create.”
As funding for the arts continues to retract, these organizations are determined to adapt and persevere, advocating strongly for the value of artistic expression in their communities.
image source from：kbindependent
