The Arts Mean Business: Why Florida Can’t Afford to Ignore Its Cultural Economy

The Big Picture: Arts as a $151.7 Billion Industry

The nonprofit arts and culture sector is not just entertainment—it is a massive economic engine. The Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study by Americans for the Arts reveals that in 2022, arts and culture in the U.S. generated:

$151.7 billion in total economic activity – $73.3 billion from nonprofit organizations and $78.4 billion in audience-related spending.
2.6 million jobs supported nationwide.
$101 billion in household income and $29.1 billion in tax revenue for local, state, and federal governmentsArts & Economic Prosper….

When people attend arts events, they spend far beyond the ticket price—$38.46 per person on average, boosting local businesses like restaurants, hotels, and parking facilities. Out-of-town visitors spend even more—$60.57 per person—helping tourism and hospitality thriveArts & Economic Prosper….

And the social impact? 89% of Americans feel pride in their local arts venues, and 86% say losing those cultural spaces would be a personal lossArts & Economic Prosper…. The arts are tied directly to community well-being, identity, and civic pride.

Florida’s Arts Economy: A $5.8 Billion Powerhouse

Closer to home, Florida’s arts sector is a significant player:

$5.8 billion in total economic activity statewide.
91,270 full-time jobs supported.
$3.8 billion in household income generated.
$694.7 million in local, state, and federal tax revenueArts & Economic Prosper….

Yet, despite these impressive numbers, Florida’s current fiscal policies could jeopardize this growth.

The Political Reality: Florida’s Budget Cuts and Their Ripple Effect

Over the past five years, Florida has been tightening its belt, even during periods of economic recovery. Governor Ron DeSantis’ budgets have consistently included large line-item vetoes, shaping spending priorities through cuts rather than expansion.

Key highlights from Florida’s fiscal history since the pandemic:

FY 2020-21 Pandemic Cuts: $1.2 billion in vetoes, slashing health services and local projectscurrent Fiscal health r….
Record Vetoes in FY 2022-23: $3.1 billion cut despite revenue growthcurrent Fiscal health r….
FY 2025-26 Latest Budget: $1.35 billion vetoed, including $175 million in local infrastructure projects (transportation, parks, energy programs) and cuts to after-school and special-needs education programscurrent Fiscal health r….

Meanwhile, education funding is being reshaped by private school vouchers, which diverted an estimated $3.9 billion in FY 2024-25—reducing the share of state education funds for public schools from 88% to 77% in just three yearscurrent Fiscal health r…. This has a direct impact on arts education and cultural programming in public schools.

The Long-Term Risk: Deficits and Cultural Decline

Florida is facing projected deficits of $2.8 billion by FY 2026-27 and $6.9 billion by FY 2027-28current Fiscal health r…. Without new revenue streams, deeper cuts are likely. For the arts, this means:

Reduced public funding for cultural organizations.
Less access to arts education as public school budgets tighten.
Increased pressure on nonprofits to sustain economic and social contributions with fewer resources.

Why Cutting Arts Funding Is a Mistake

The data is clear: investing in the arts is an investment in economic growth and community well-being. Every dollar spent on the arts circulates through local economies, creating jobs, boosting tourism, and generating tax revenue. Cutting cultural programs to “save money” risks losing far more in economic activity than the state saves through budget trims.

Protect the Arts. Protect Miami-Dade.

In her budget for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava proposes a 50% cut to grants funding to artists and arts organizations, as part of a plan to merge the department of Cultural Affairs into the Library Department.
This proposal would strip cultural funding, eliminate expert leadership dedicated to the arts, and put hundreds of small and mid-sized arts organizations at risk. This isn’t just about budgets-it’s about lives, livelihoods, and the identity of our community.
It isn’t just about budgets — it’s about our community. Miami-Dade’s cultural sector generates over $2.1 billion in economic impact, supports 32,000 local jobs, attracts 22 million people as cultural tourists, and supports over 1000 arts groups.

How to Help:

1. Email the Mayor at mayor@miamidade.gov.
2. Find and contact your county commissioner.
3. Share your story on how the arts impact your life and how this funding loss will impact you — as a working theatre artist or theatre patron or loved one of a child in a theatre program.
4. Sign up for updates from the Arts Action Alliance of Miami-Dade.
5. Show up to budget hearings: Sept 4 & Sept 18, 111 NW 1st St, Miami.