• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed all $32 million in state arts and culture grants in 2024.
• DeSantis later attributed the veto to concerns about fringe festivals with sexual content, but the move impacted a wide range of arts organizations.
• The cuts led to program reductions, staff losses, and increased fundraising efforts for arts groups across Southwest Florida.
• While DeSantis has proposed $26 million in arts grants for 2025-26, the final budget remains uncertain, leaving arts organizations in a state of limbo.

At first, Greg Longenhagen thought it was fake news. There’s no way Florida’s governor would slash $32 million — every single penny — in state arts and culture grants, right?

“Surely the Governor understood the economic value of arts organizations,” says Longenhagen, producing artistic director for Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers. “Arts organizations fuel the economic stability and growth in many communities.”

But that’s exactly what Gov. Ron DeSantis did on June 12, 2024 — abruptly and unexpectedly vetoing every dollar allocated for Florida theaters, art classes, festivals, exhibits, concerts and more.

In all, 577 arts programs and 33 facilities across Florida lost their anticipated grants. That included more than two dozen in Southwest Florida.

Later, after a state-wide backlash from arts organizations and supporters, the governor blamed the move on fringe festivals — wide-ranging theatrical events that include theater, music, dance and other genres (including, sometimes, drag performers and adults-only content).

“We didn’t have control over how it was being given,” DeSantis said at a July 2024 news conference. “So you’re having your tax dollars being given in grants to things like the fringe festival, which is a sexual festival where they’re doing all this stuff. How many of you think your tax dollars should go to fund that? Not many people would do that.”

Across Southwest Florida, arts leaders had strong reactions to the budget cuts and DeSantis’ reasons for them: Anger. Heartbreak. Shock. Disappointment. Bewilderment.

“My thought was: “Oh, come on, man. Really?’” says Longenhagen of Florida Repertory Theatre. “The saddest part is that for some smaller organizations — like little mom and pop education programs for kids in summer — that state money may have been their entire budget.

“I just think of all those kids in underserved communities who were left out. It’s sad.”

‘A gut punch’: How DeSantis arts cuts hurt SW Florida

Bryce Alexander, CEO and executive artistic of The Naples Players, says the move affected hundreds of arts and culture groups across the state — most of which have nothing to do with fringe festivals.

More than 25 groups and venues had been approved to get arts grants in Southwest Florida, but only one of them — the Alliance for the Arts — puts on a fringe festival. And that’s just once a year.

In all, more than $3 million had been approved for Southwest Florida — an amount later reduced 53 percent by the state Legislature (see bottom of this story for a breakdown). Then DeSantis killed the rest with his veto pen.

“Everyone suffers,” Alexander of The Naples Players says about the arts cuts. “The Naples Players alone is estimated to have $20 million in total economic activity in downtown Naples every year. So removing support of the organization can have lasting impacts on a community that go beyond what might meet the eye.”

In the year that followed, arts and culture groups have made tough decisions and stepped up their fundraising efforts in Southwest Florida. And some have been forced to cut back on programming.

Gulfshore Opera scrapped its fall production of the modern comic opera “Scalia/Ginsburg.” United Arts Collier cut programs providing art therapy for military veterans and seniors with dementia.  And the longtime theater director at the Alliance for the Arts quit after being denied a pay raise — a denial the Alliance blamed on the shortfall of $131,000 in anticipated state grant money.

“The loss of state grant funding was not just a financial setback — it was a gut punch to our morale,” says Jordan Jameson, former interim executive director of the Alliance for the Arts. “The veto forced some of our employees to make difficult decisions resulting in substantial attrition — placing an even greater burden on our remaining staff to bridge the gap so we could continue our scheduled programming.

“Some of our staff, disillusioned with the future of arts funding in Florida, left not just our organization but the state entirely.”

Florida’s 2025-26 arts grants: A positive sign

Now, a year later, Southwest Florida arts leaders worry about a repeat of what happened last summer. Things look more promising this year, at least.

DeSantis actually included $26 million in cultural and museum grant money in his proposed state budget for 2025-26 — the same as the amount he slashed last year (part of $32 million in vetoed funds that include $6 million in separate grants for building projects).

This year’s funds are expected to come with a stipulation, however: They can’t be used for programs or activities depicting sexual content, sexual excitement or anything “harmful to minors.”

DeSantis’ media relations office didn’t respond to a request for comment from the governor on last year’s veto, Florida’s role in arts funding and the 2025-26 budget.

It’s a good sign that DeSantis has submitted his own proposal for arts grants this year, says Jennifer Jones, CEO of the arts advocacy group Florida Cultural Alliance.

“I’m hopeful,” Jones says. “I’m kind of optimistic because of the fact that he included money for the arts in his proposed budget. He didn’t send a message that said, ‘I’m not going to fund the arts at all.’ So that’s a good message to hear.”

How much money will Southwest Florida get?

The Florida Legislature will consider the governor’s proposed budget — along with a separate list of recommended arts-and-culture grants from the Florida Department of State totaling $18.3 million — while negotiating and crafting the new state budget for the 2025-26 season.

That budget will likely be passed by April 28, Jones says. Then the governor typically signs the budget in mid-June before the fiscal year starts July 1.

If the Legislature draws mostly from the Department of State’s recommendations, however, that could be bad news for Southwest Florida. The proposal only recommends funding for about 29 percent of the arts and culture groups approved for grants by the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, Jones says.

That 29 percent represents just 277 of the 945 applications reviewed and approved for recommended funding. Jones hopes that number goes up as negotiations continue in Florida’s Senate and House of Representatives.

In Southwest Florida, only six arts institutions have been recommended to receive grant money by the Department of State. The governor’s proposal, by contrast, doesn’t include a detailed list of specific grant recipients — just a recommended amount for the total pot of money available.

The Department of State has recommended that these Southwest Florida arts groups and venue receive grants:

• The Naples Art Association ($150,000 requested),
• Naples Art District ($10,000),
• The Naples Players ($150,000),
• Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center ($97,379),
• Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, listed as Florida Arts Inc. ($150,000),
• And Arts Bonita, listed as Center for the Arts Bonita Springs ($150,000).

But the budgeting process is a long one full of twists and turns — and a lot could happen between now and when the budget passes and gets signed.

The Legislature could, potentially, decide to give out no grant money. Or DeSantis could once again veto the line item for arts grants.

Jones thinks that’s unlikely, though.

“We don’t think that’s what’s going to happen,” she says. “We think there is a will to restore funding in the budget for the arts.”

A hard season for SW Florida arts after DeSantis slashed grants

Those grants would be welcomed in Southwest Florida. It’s been a rough year for the area’s arts and culture organizations.

Those organizations lost more than $3 million in anticipated grant money for the 2024-25 season, according to statistics provided by the Alliance for the Arts and the United Arts Collier.

The money would have been used to fund lower-cost tickets for patrons, free events, art classes, event marketing, booking fees for performers, and lots more.

DeSantis’ veto last year — along with previous cuts made by the state Legislature — meant that each Southwest Florida arts group lost between $25,000-$150,000 in expected grant money for the 2024-25 season, depending on the size and scope of the organization.

To make up for that loss, those organizations took all kinds of measures. Some cut shows or programs. Some cut back on employee raises. Others reduced their marketing budgets or took further belt-tightening measures.

They also significantly stepped up fundraising. And, in some cases, they got sponsorships or smaller grants from local governments and foundations to offset the shortfall.

Southwest Florida Symphony held a pledge drive to make up for the loss, says CEO Amy Ginsburg, and she called the community response “remarkable.”

“The response not only raised money to fill some of the void left by the state grant,” Ginsburg says, “but our patrons were vocal on social media and (expressed) their disappointment in the decision to cut arts and culture funding through sending letters to Tallahassee.

“That vocal, very public show of support is as valuable as the money we raised.”

The arts: A huge economic driver in Southwest Florida

Arts leaders say they were dumbfounded by the decision to cut arts funding last year — especially when arts and culture organizations have such a dramatic economic impact in Southwest Florida.

According to a 2023 study, arts-and-culture nonprofits generated $135 million in economic activity for Lee County in 2022 and early 2023. They brought in even more money to Collier County: $147 million in 2022, alone.

In addition, those arts organizations supported 4,464 jobs across both counties, according to the national study Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (or “AEP6”).

“When Governor DeSantis announced the $32 million cut in arts and culture grants, it was concerning, given the arts’ role in economic vitality and community enrichment,” says Devon Parker, executive director of Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. “Recognizing the arts as both cultural treasures and economic drivers is essential for informed policy decisions that support community prosperity.”

According to the study, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $23.4 million in local, state and federal tax revenue in Lee County; and another $29.4 million in Collier County.

People spent an average of $34.29 in Collier County whenever they visited a theater, museum or other nonprofit arts group, including food, transportation and hotel stays (but not tickets and admission). In Lee County, that was $40.19.

“The arts are a terrific economic driver in Lee County — particularly on Sanibel during the tough recovery from multiple hurricanes,” says Lee Ellen Harder, executive director of Sanibel Island’s BIG ARTS. “BIG ARTS has, for decades, been a place for the community to come together. It has never been more important to us to act as a source of inspiration — especially to those who lost their homes and businesses.”

Arts grants make up only a small percentage of some organizations’ budgets. Fort Myers’ Davis Art Center, for example, has a $1.5 million annual budget, and only about 12 percent of that comes from grants, Parker says. But grants can make a big difference in what programs can be offered and even in how much people spend at the box office.

“We strive to keep ticket sales and prices for classes affordable, as well as offering tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships,” says Kristen Coury, CEO and producing artistic director of Naples’ Gulfshore Playhouse. “So grant money is vital to round out our revenue.”

When it comes down to it, those arts grants aren’t just handouts, says Elysia Dawn, CEO of United Arts Collier. They’re an investment in our communities.

“It’s important that people understand that giving to the arts isn’t just charity for the arts,” she says. “(It’s) an investment with (returns) that range from improved economies, educational outcomes, mental and physical health, public safety, reduced recidivism rates and overall quality of life.

“Arts grants aren’t just important for the arts, but the broader communities they serve.”

What’s next for SW Florida?

Now arts groups and advocates are following closely what happens next with the Florida Legislature and DeSantis’ veto pen.

Maybe they’ll get their grant money this year. Maybe they won’t.

Only time will tell.

“I believe our chances are 50/50,” says Coury of Gulfshore Playhouse. “I sit on the State Council for Arts and Culture, and even we don’t know what to expect this year.”

Melanie Kalnins, executive director of Opera Naples, hopes legislators and DeSantis paid close attention to the backlash last year and respond accordingly. Florida’s arts and culture scene ― from concerts and plays to festivals and art shows ― are a big reason why people move to Florida in the first place.

“We are hopeful that the reactions from across the state … have caused Governor DeSantis and others in power to reconsider this decision,” Kalnins says, “understanding the importance of keeping Florida a world-class destination to live and visit.”

If grants are slashed again, some organizations won’t be able to hire new employees. Or offer discounted tickets for people who couldn’t otherwise afford to see a show. Or pay for instructors teaching art and music classes. Or provide programming for underserved communities such as military veterans or seniors with dementia.

“Arts grants make it possible for us to serve some of our most vulnerable populations through the healing power of the arts,” says Dawn of United Arts Collier.

But if those grants get cut again, Southwest Florida’s arts groups have already had a year of practice. They already know how to make painful but necessary cuts, raise money, rally their supporters and do whatever it takes to get by.

“Of course, we are worried that the state government will continue to abandon arts and culture,” says Harder of BIG ARTS. “We have set the bar lower (for expected grant money), due to Governor DeSantis’ opinion that the arts are not important.”

Steffanie Pearce, general director of Gulfshore Opera, says they’ll persevere no matter what.

Grant money is never guaranteed, and that’s why her regional opera company gets money from donations, sponsorships, ticket sales and other sources, she says.

They just can’t count on that grant money to be there.

“It would hurt to lose state funding, and we may need to alter offerings to the public,” Pearce says. “But it would not break us.”

Southwest Florida arts cuts in 2024-25

Here’s what some Southwest Florida arts and culture groups initially expected to receive in 2024 (later reduced by the Florida Legislature and then vetoed by DeSantis), according to the Florida Division of Arts & Culture:

• Florida Repertory Theatre: $150,000
• Alliance for the Arts: $131,000
• Arts Bonita: $150,000
• Cultural Park Theater: $25,000
• Naples Botanical Garden: $150,000
• Artis―Naples: $150,000
• Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida: $25,000
• Southwest Florida Symphony: $150,000
• Naples Art Association: $150,000
• The Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida: $26,164
• BIG ARTS: $150,000
• Gulfshore Playhouse: $150,000
• The Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties: $20,000
• Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (aka Florida Arts Inc.): $148,665
• United Arts Collier: $45,000
• The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society: $150,000
• Gulf Coast Symphony: $150,000
• Art League of Marco Island: $96,000
• The Conservancy of Southwest Florida: $150,000
• Art League of Marco Island: $96,155
• TheatreZone: $25,000
• Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum: $150,000

Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email [email protected]. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook(@charles.runnells.7) and Instagram and Threads (@crunnells1).