Miami Beach Expands Gap Funding for Arts and Culture

Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach City Commission has unanimously voted on nearly doubling its planned one-time contribution to local arts and culture organizations that have been hard hit by the loss of state funds for cultural and museum grants during the 2025 fiscal year.

“Miami Beach's arts and culture institutions not only provide jobs and tremendous economic impact to our city, but also extend benefits and free programming to our residents and students,” shared Miami Beach Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt, who urged her colleagues to approve the funding request. “As we transition from a party-till-you-drop city to one with robust diverse entertainment options, this one-time stop-gap funding will continue to cement our reputation for a city which values our cultural anchors.”

The additional city funding would come to about $960,000 over and above what the city typically contributes to its 16 different museums, performance venues and similar organizations that collectively provide a wealth of cultural offerings. The commission previously included a one-time expenditure of $492,676 in the upcoming budget to close the funding gap, but that represented only about 50% of the lost funds. The additional increase would bring the percentage to 100% of the 48% State Legislature recommended funding at $932,151.36.

Funding in the amount of $25,000 is also being provided for the South Beach Jazz Festival, which will take place over four days between January 9-12, 2025 at various locations throughout the city.

The City of Miami Beach was the first municipality in the State of Florida to attempt to make up the state budgetary shortfall — with St. Petersburg passing a similar measure to support its local arts organizations as well.

According to a 2023 study by Americans for the Arts, the City of Miami Beach received a $334.9 million economic boost from its arts and culture focus in the prior year. The study looked at 373 diverse communities and regions from all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The city funding gap measure will be shared among the following 17 Miami Beach-based cultural institutions and organizations in varying amounts:

• The Bass Museum
• The Dance Now! Ensemble
• FUNDarte
• Holocaust Memorial
• Jewish Museum of Florida—FIU
• Living Arts Trust (O Cinema)
• Miami City Ballet
• Miami Beach Botanical Garden
• Miami Design Preservation League
• Miami Music Festival
• Miami New Drama
• New World Symphony
• O, Miami
• The Rhythm Foundation
• South Beach Jazz Festival
• South Florida Art Center (Oolite Arts)
• The Wolfsonian—FIU

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