Palm Beach County Gains Voice in State Arts Funding Decisions as Cultural Council Continues Advocacy Efforts
Despite partial restoration, state funding remains below pre-veto levels; As part of its advocacy strategy, Cultural Council secures Palm Beach County’s first seat on state arts advisory council in 20 years
Palm Beach County philanthropist and arts champion Frances Fisher (left)
and Cultural Council President and CEO Dave Lawrence (right)
LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (August 6, 2026) – The arts and cultural organizations that make Palm Beach County Florida’s Cultural Capital® continue to sound a consistent alarm: public funding instability is reshaping their ability to serve residents and visitors. In late June, the Governor approved Florida’s 2026-27 budget with $20 million allocated for the Florida Division of Arts & Culture (DAC) grant programs, funding 121 organizations statewide – including just over $1 million for nine organizations in Palm Beach County.
The state’s arts grant program has not recovered since the Governor’s $32 million veto of DAC funding in the 2024-25 budget year. In the year prior to the veto, the 2023-24 budget included $43 million, which funded 740 organizations statewide, including $4.8 million for 56 Palm Beach County organizations. Florida restored funding in 2025-26, but at roughly half the pre-veto level – just over $21 million, with $1.8 million going to 15 Palm Beach County organizations.
Based on these funding trends, organizations statewide are now competing for roughly half of pre-veto funding, with 70 percent fewer grants awarded across Florida. Over the past four years, Palm Beach County’s state arts funding has dropped 77 percent, and many local organizations have not received state funding for three consecutive years.
The Cultural Council believes that arts and culture in The Palm Beaches builds a stronger economy and drives tourism; unites and engages communities; and enhances education at every level. This is the foundation of the Council’s advocacy program and what motivates strategies and tactics to secure and maintain funding at the national, state, and local levels; outreach to business and community leaders; and support for arts education for K-12 students.
“The Cultural Council continues to advocate for the sector by meeting with legislators, engaging with policymakers in their offices, and working to maximize state funding opportunities for arts and culture organizations across Palm Beach County,” stated Dave Lawrence, President & CEO of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. “The 2026-27 budget includes a $7.5 million provision intended to fund additional Culture & Museum grants around the state. The Secretary of State’s office has not yet released a recommended list; however the Cultural Council is hopeful that some of this funding will reach Palm Beach County’s 38 remaining qualified organizations in this grant category.”
Despite the funding decline, data shows DAC grants generate a 9-to-1 return on investment. The cultural sector in Palm Beach County generates more than $335.3 million in annual economic impact and $57.2 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue. Arts organizations also provide public services that reach beyond the numbers – many operate free or low-cost public facilities, deliver arts education, and offer programming focused on wellness, creative aging, and community engagement.
A Win for Palm Beach County
In February 2026, the Cultural Council succeeded in securing a Palm Beach County seat on the Florida Council on Arts & Culture for the first time in 20 years. The 15-member advisory council, appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House, advises the Secretary of State on cultural grant funding and arts policy statewide. Palm Beach County philanthropist and arts champion Frances Fisher was appointed to the council by Senate President Ben Albritton.
Fisher has dedicated more than 30 years to civic leadership and has received numerous national and local awards and honors for her work in the arts, healthcare, education, and the environment. She served for many years as Chair of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and currently serves as Vice Chair. Her previous board service includes the Norton Museum of Art, Cox Science Center and Aquarium, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Prior to joining the Palm Beach community, Fisher worked at the national level in both the public and nonprofit sectors in Washington, D.C. She served in the West Wing of the White House as Special Assistant to the Counsel for President George H.W. Bush and as a member of the Advance Team for First Lady Barbara Bush. Following public service, Frances cofounded the National Environmental Policy Institute where she served nine years as Executive Director.
In her new role, the Cultural Council will support Fisher by providing timely information and resources to help maximize opportunities for artists and cultural organizations countywide.
A New Funding Uncertainty: The Property Tax Amendment
As federal arts funding through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) continues to face uncertainty and state funding declines, a new local public funding threat could significantly impact Palm Beach County’s arts and cultural sector. A constitutional amendment approved by the Legislature will go before voters in November 2026, asking them to consider a substantial expansion of Florida’s homestead exemption – a move that could reduce local government revenues and potentially pave the way for future elimination of much of the non-school property tax on homesteads.
Because the arts sector depends heavily on county and municipal investment, any significant reduction in property tax revenue could impact cultural funding, public facilities, special events and other quality-of-life initiatives. The Cultural Council is compiling data on how local government funding supports arts and culture and will release a toolkit with talking points and customizable graphics ahead of the November election.
Continued Advocacy
As the designated local arts agency (LAA) for Palm Beach County, the Cultural Council will continue advocating for public support of the arts as a core part of its mission. Through ongoing engagement with elected officials, business and community leaders, and local partners, the Council will build awareness of the sector’s economic, educational, and social impact.
This work includes participating in key meetings and community forums, seeking opportunities to recognize the importance of arts and culture through local proclamations, and sharing research and data that demonstrate the sector’s contributions to Palm Beach County’s economy, tourism industry and quality of life. By providing objective information and advocacy resources, the Council will ensure that the value of arts and culture remains part of important community conversations.
For more arts advocacy resources, including a comprehensive Q&A about what happened during the legislative session and a list of organizations that received funding, visit the Cultural Council’s Arts Advocacy page.
About the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is the only organization solely dedicated to supporting arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. In its sustaining effort to foster growth of the cultural sector, the Council provides support services to cultural organizations and creative professionals, administers public and private grant programs, advocates for cultural funding, enhances local arts education, and promotes cultural tourism. The Council serves as a venue highlighting works by Palm Beach County visual and performing artists at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building in Downtown Lake Worth Beach. The building is also home to the Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store featuring items by local artisans; the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center; and the outdoor Arts & Wellness Space. For more information, including a comprehensive calendar of cultural events in The Palm Beaches, visit palmbeachculture.com.
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Media Contact
Rachel Soler, Director of Communications
561.472.3340 | [email protected]