Hundreds of arts and cultural organizations across Florida, including nearly two dozen in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, could lose out on state arts grants they have received in years past because of a change in the traditional ranking system.

Prominent groups like Asolo Repertory Theatre, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, The Sarasota Ballet, The Ringling Museum, Circus Arts Conservatory, Venice Theatre and The Venice Symphony are excluded from a preliminary list of 184 organizations that qualified for funding in the state’s cultural and museum grants program. Qualifying organizations can receive up to $150,000 depending on the size of their operations or the programs being funded.

The state provides grants through the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs in four categories, with cultural and museum grants being the largest. Last year, before Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed all the arts grants because of objections to funds going to two fringe festivals in the state, more than 600 arts groups were on the qualifying list.

All organizations that apply for funding are evaluated by panels of volunteers and given a grade, with 80 out of 100 considered passing and eligible for grant funding. However, this year’s preliminary list from the Department of State includes only those organizations that rated 95 or higher. That reduced the qualifying list to just 28 percent of the number of organizations that received a score of at least 80.

It is still early in the legislative budget process, and arts and culture grants often are determined in the final days or hours of the annual legislative session after other priorities are set and money assigned. 

This year, DeSantis proposed spending $27 million for cultural and museum grants – more than the $18.3 million in the Department of State’s preliminary list. The governor also proposed a little more than $6 million for cultural facilities grants to support building, renovation or preservation projects.

“That’s a lot compared to previous years,” said Jennifer Jones, executive director of the Florida Cultural Alliance. In past years, his initial budget proposal had $5 million or less allocated for arts and culture funding.

Jones reported that the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development has recommended $23.3 million for Cultural and Museum grants and $28 million for Cultural Facilities. (The committee set aside no money for Cultural Endowments, which this year would have included $240,000 each to the Sarasota Opera Association, Florida Studio Theatre and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.)

Jones said the $27 million proposed by the governor “sends a message that we do want to fund the arts.” But the governor also has indicated he wants grants to go to more family-friendly kinds of programs. New legislation introduced in the House and Senate seeks to address the governor’s concerns.

House Bill 1011 would allow funding for activities and programs that have “substantial artistic and cultural significance and emphasize creativity and professional excellence.” It also requires programs “that meet the professional standards or standards of authenticity of significant merit, regardless of origin” and “that are appropriate for all age groups.”

Jones said more specifics are needed than the legislation provides.

“We’d like to see some clearer definition and some consideration for the fact that certain programming may not be appropriate for all age groups but still is important programming,” she said.  “It may talk to darker times in our history, adult themes that are important to see but you may not want young people to see. We just want some clarity.”

If passed, these bills could alter the ranking list for this year and in the future because it could mean adjustments in how each organization was scored.

Jones said the cultural alliance is hoping that more organizations with passing grades will be considered for funding.To fund all those organizations with grades of 80 or higher, the state would need to spend $58 million for 668 cultural and museum grants across Florida.

Among the Sarasota organizations that are on the list of top applicants are Embracing Our Differences, which lost Sarasota County funding last year; Art Center Sarasota; the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall; the contemporary classical chamber group ensembleNEWSRQ; Sarasota Opera; Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota; Sarasota Orchestra; and Florida Studio Theatre. In Manatee County, the Florida Cultural Group (which operates the Manatee Performing Arts Center and Manatee Players) and Realize Bradenton qualified.

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