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26 LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLESdensity and diversity of our population...it%u2019s like Miami is the future of the country... I think in terms of population that is true, but when things like this happen, it makes it impossible to be true when it%u2019s not supported on the state level... of what we could be on a cultural and artistic level.%u201dListed on the state%u2019s Florida Division of Cultural Affairs website, statistics trumpet how the arts are an economic engine, citing a national study by Americans for the Arts. The division cited that: Florida%u2019s arts and cultural industry generated $5.8 billion of economic activity, including $2.9 billion by nonprofit arts and culture organizations; that the economic activity supported 91,270 full-time jobs and generated $3.8 billion in resident household income, and that Florida%u2019s arts and culture industry delivers $694.7 million in local, state, and federal government revenue.Florida%u2019s Funding DropLess than 10 years ago, Florida ranked third in the United States for arts funding. In 2019, it was 48 out of 50 states, and then in 2022, the state ranked 17th among states in terms of per capita funding to agencies supporting visual artists, dance troupes and small theaters, according to data from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. The FY25 budget puts Florida squarely at the bottom again with its zero funding.In responding to a request from the governor%u2019s office on the arts veto decision, Julia Friedland, the governor%u2019s press secretary, wrote: %u201cThe governor reviews every bill and appropriation that comes across his desk and uses his authority under the Florida Constitution to make veto decisions that are in the best interest of the State of Florida.%u201d Friedland also provided a link to the governor%u2019s prepared budget veto letter.Mark Ard, the director of external affairs for the Florida Department of State, responded in an email that %u201cthis year, the focus was on member projects. Governor DeSantis%u2019 %u2018Focus on Florida%u2019s Future%u2019 budget does not include funding for General Program Support; however . . . (the) budget does include nearly $30 million in legislative line items for arts and culture agencies and organizations, which includes $5.3 million in African-American Cultural Grants that support renovations and boost the development of new facilities at our state%u2019s numerous African-American cultural and historical sites.%u201dThe loss of $70,500 in state funding to the South Florida Symphony Orchestra will impact arts education and outreach to the community, according to Jacqueline Lorber, CEO and president, who said that %u201cwe have to find a way to make the show go on, right? So, we have to do fundraising to work toward that gap,%u201d said Lorber, adding that the impact spreads across three Florida counties since the orchestra performs concerts and does outreach in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe.Getting More InvolvedJennifer Jones, president and CEO of the Florida Cultural Alliance (FCA) said the wake-up call, so to speak, has her rethinking strategy regarding advocating for the arts.Arts & Culture continuedMaestra Sebrina Mar%u00eda Alfonso leads the Fort Lauderdale-based South Florida Symphony Orchestra, which performs in three counties including Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe. (Photo by Steven T. Shire, courtesy SFSO)