$12.8M Arts Cut Threatens $2.1B Economic Engine in Miami-Dade
Arts Action Alliance Miami-Dade County – a county-wide coalition of cultural nonprofits, artists, and creative-economy businesses – warns that Miami-Dade’s cultural sector, a $2.1 billion annual driver supporting 32,000 jobs, could lose more than half of its county funding under Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s proposed FY 2025-2026 budget. “Cutting arts funding by 52 percent saves pennies and risks billions,” said Beth Boone, Artistic & Executive Director of Miami Light Project. “Less than one percent of the county budget fuels one of Miami-Dade’s biggest job creators. Eliminating it is economic self-sabotage and an existential threat to Miami’s cultural community.” Key Facts • Cultural sector returns an average $42 for every $1 the county invests• Generates $2.1B in local economic activity and 32,000 jobs• Draws 4.2M cultural tourists and $348M in public revenue annuallyGrants reach 300,000+ children and families each year through 100+ nonprofit partners• $12.8 million in cultural grants on the chopping block (52% cut)• Department of Cultural Affairs to be eliminated and merged with Library system• Cultural Affairs Director position eliminated, stripping dedicated arts leadership “Small and mid-sized arts organizations are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods and the backbone of our local economy,” said Renee Pesci, Executive Director of the Arts & Business Council of Miami. “Eliminating this funding would force theaters to go dark, galleries and nonprofits to close, and threaten the survival of the restaurants, businesses, and vendors that thrive alongside them.” |
 What’s at Risk Countless residents, especially families, students, and the elderly, stand to lose essential services, safe creative spaces, and the communal experiences that define Miami-Dade’s spirit. Tourists seeking Miami-Dade’s signature cultural vibrancy will find dark stages and closed doors, jeopardizing our reputation and revenue far beyond the arts sector alone. Hundreds of community-based arts organizations face closure. Thousands of artists, educators, and cultural workers could lose their livelihoods, wiping out free programs for  Timeline -Town Halls: Schedule and locations shown below-Budget Hearing #1: Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 5:01 pm-Final Budget Vote: Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 5:01 pmLocation: Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 NW 1st St., Miami Arts Action Miami Demands to the County• Restore the full $12.8M in cultural grants.• Keep the Department of Cultural Affairs independent and fully staffed.• Maintain dedicated arts leadership to steward Miami-Dade’s creative economy. How the Public Can Help• Sign the Petition: CLICK HERE • Contact Your Commissioner: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/government/commission/home.page and ask them to vote NO on the Mayor’s proposed budget cuts to cultural grants. • Email Mayor Levine Cava: [email protected] and demand the restoration of arts funding and keeping Cultural Affairs independent. • Attend Town Halls: Schedule below. • Attend the Commission Budget Meetings September 4th and 18th; Arrive by 3 PM to register for public comment. |
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