“The Arts as Economic Engine and Community Builder”
By Ed Hashek and Mary Riedel, Funding Arts Broward, (FAB!)
Sun Sentinel Op-Ed Submission
October 21, 2024
Having vibrant arts and cultural organizations adds to economic development and community building in significant ways. Investment in the arts is needed now more than ever.
A new report released this month by Funding Arts Broward (FAB) makes the case for increased investment in the arts as both an economic engine and a catalyst for community building.
Based on a yearlong study, the report “Enriching the Arts Opportunities in Broward County’s Arts Community” takes a deeper look at the challenges facing the arts and how increasing support for the arts can be part of taking Broward to the next level.
In 2023, FAB formed a 10-person Special Initiatives Task Force that gathered information over a year’s time, looking at the state of the arts here in South Florida, in other Florida cities and nationally. Work included interviews with business, government, arts organizations, and philanthropists. Surveys were sent to more than 100 arts organizations that provide programs in Broward County.
The “Enriching the Arts” report provides details on the challenges facing arts groups and areas of greatest need. The data identified where gaps exist and opportunities to make more impact. The report recognizes the progress being made in areas of arts support, for example, by Broward County Commission and its Cultural Division and by other funders such as the Community Foundation of Broward, Our Fund, and other foundations. But it also notes where Broward lags by comparison and how the arts collectively need a stronger advocacy voice for awareness and funding to grow.
As background, arts and cultural organizations in Broward County spent $386 million last year, drawing 5.8 attendees to various events, including 1.3 million visitors. (Americans for the Arts, 2023 Arts & Economic Prosperity for Broward County.)
Arts organizations continue to struggle with funding as they work to extend their reach and develop new audiences. In June of this year, $32 million earmarked for arts support statewide was cut from Florida’s state budget.
Clearly, funding, advocacy – and unrestricted funding for the arts is a top issue. But there are many other related issues to be tackled.
Key findings from the “Enriching Arts” report include:
Flexible Funding: Arts organizations need more flexible funding, such as unrestricted grants to help pay for operational expenses, marketing resources for audience development and affordable venue and housing options.
Educational Gaps: Gaps exist in K-12 arts education programs in Broward County public schools.
Advocacy for the Arts: More advocacy is needed for the arts collectively to underscore how the arts contribute to economic development.
Collaboration Opportunities: Opportunities exist for more engagement and collaboration between and among arts organizations, business leaders, the public sector, cultural tourism and public art projects.
Community Engagement: The arts provide a pathway to enhancing education, reaching underserved communities and boosting the local economy.
The full 24-page report is now available in both digital and print versions (www.fundingartsbroward.org).
Among the next steps, FAB and its community partners are available to share the “Enriching Arts” presentation with business, government, and civic organizations by request (Info@FundingArtsBroward.org).
FAB also has a campaign open to the community called “Be the SPARK” that has so far raised $2.2 million against a $3 million to increase support for the arts.
Based on findings in the “Enriching the Arts” report, FAB and its community partners have embarked on some new initiatives that include expanding arts education funding in partnership with the Community Foundation of Broward and a pilot public art project focusing on the intersect of art and technology, with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and Mad Arts Museum. An effort is underway to form a community Arts Advocacy group.
With the “Emerging Arts” report out, we have a starting point. But there is much more to accomplish, and we need support from the community. Please take a few minutes to read the report and see how you and your organizations can be involved. Publication of the “ Enriching the Arts” report was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Broward.
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About FAB:
FAB is a volunteer-led, membership-based nonprofit organization, founded by 2003 by local artist and philanthropist Francie Bishop Good. Over the past 21 years, it has provided $5 million in grants to arts organizations serving Broward County.
Ed Hashek, immediate Past President of FAB, led the Special Initiatives Task Force that conducted the study. Mary Riedel is the current president of FAB.
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