DONATE

Dear Patron of the Arts,

Governor DeSantis has slashed $32 million that fuels an industry contributing nearly $3 billion to Florida’s economy. This veto is not just a budgetary decision; it is a blatant disregard for the thousands of jobs, educational opportunities, and community enrichment that arts and culture provide. The state’s own analysis shows a nine-to-one return on investment from these grants—money that supports local economies and generates tax revenue. To dismiss this is shortsighted and destructive.

The Alliance for the Arts, along with 577 other programs and 33 facilities across the state, has been left scrambling to fill the gaping holes left by this veto. This move undermines the hard work of countless individuals dedicated to enriching our communities through the arts. We are appalled by this decision, which strikes at the heart of what makes Florida vibrant and unique.

This is not just about numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about real people—artists, educators, families, and audiences—who rely on these funds to create and experience the transformative power of the arts. Governor DeSantis’ decision is an outright betrayal of the values that uphold our society, and it is a disservice to every Floridian who believes in the importance of culture, creativity, and community.

The veto by Governor DeSantis will have a devastating impact on the Alliance for the Arts. We still have not recovered from COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian.  The Alliance was expecting $131,000 in funding this year, money that is crucial for making the arts accessible to our community. This funding was intended to provide affordable tickets and free programming, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, could experience the cultural and educational benefits of the arts.

Without this support, we are now facing the harsh reality of having to scale back our offerings. This means fewer cultural events, fewer educational opportunities, and a diminished ability to serve our community. The fluctuations in funding over the past three years have already posed challenges, but this latest cut is particularly severe. It undermines our mission to make the arts accessible and vibrant in our community, and it places an unfair burden on the people who depend on our programs for cultural enrichment and personal growth.

The recent veto by the state of all arts funding exacerbates an already challenging situation. The state had been a crucial source of support for many arts organizations, including ours. The loss of this funding adds to the financial strain caused by the minimal support from the city and zero support from the county.

In 2022, the arts contributed $135.3 million in economic activity, provided more than 2,500 jobs, and generated $23.4 million in state and local tax revenue in Lee County alone. These numbers highlight the significant economic impact of the arts and underscore the importance of continued investment in this sector.

We urgently need your support to navigate this crisis. If we cannot make up the lost funding, we will be forced to cut programs and services that are essential to our community. We call on you, our valued patrons, to help us sustain the arts in Fort Myers. Your contributions are more crucial than ever to ensure that the Alliance for the Arts can continue to provide the cultural and educational opportunities that enrich our community.

Please consider making a monthly recurring donation, donating from your IRA, taking more classes, or become a sponsor.  If I could convince 150 arts lovers to each give $100 a month for a year, we could sustain all our programs without any cuts. We love this community, and it’s time to show that love in return. We desperately need your support this coming year.

With gratitude,

Molly Deckart

THE ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS (FEIN 51-0182649) IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 496, SECTION 496.405 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) OR www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” FLORIDA REGISTRATION CH6080