By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
After Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed over $32 million in arts and culture grants from the next year's budget, numerous Tampa Bay institutions are now seeking alternative funding sources. Michael Tomor, Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art, which anticipated $570,500 in state funding but will now receive none, expressed his disappointment and confusion over the cuts.
Governor DeSantis made nearly $1 billion in line item vetoes before approving a $116.5 billion budget. He cut two grant programs totaling $32 million that funded arts and culture nonprofits throughout Florida. DeSantis did not specifically address the arts and culture cuts but mentioned that he vetoed items he deemed inappropriate for state funding, aiming to reduce overall spending compared to the previous year.
Historically, Florida has supported cultural organizations through four grant programs. This year, the Legislature approved only two of these programs with significantly reduced funding, which DeSantis then vetoed. Tomor highlighted that the museum had planned to use $500,000 for a building expansion and $70,500 for educational programs, noting the significant impact of these funds on the community.
Margaret Murray, CEO of Creative Pinellas, stated that the budget cuts would severely affect small organizations, including local music and theater groups, youth programs, and art festivals, which depend on state funding. She emphasized the unprecedented nature of such a complete cut in cultural funding in her career.
FreeFall Theatre, a nonprofit in St. Petersburg, anticipated $105,000 from the state, with half of its $1.5 million annual budget relying on grants and donations. Executive Director Craig Badinger indicated the need for creative fundraising efforts to compensate for the lost funding. Similarly, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, which planned to use a $500,000 grant for a manatee rescue habitat as part of a $125 million expansion, will now need to seek alternative funding sources. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Friends of Ybor also expected $500,000 each in cultural facilities grants.
Tomor interpreted the vetoes as a lack of faith in Florida's arts and culture institutions, fearing it might signal a broader trend of denying taxpayer support for cultural enrichment. Leaders from the Florida Cultural Alliance condemned the cuts, describing them as unprecedented and dismaying. State Representative Anna Eskamani criticized the vetoes, stating that they undermine the economic and cultural vitality of the state by disregarding the contributions of well vetted nonprofit organizations.