Arts Advocacy
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 securing/maintaining funding at the national, state, and local levels; outreach to business and community leaders; and support for arts education for K-12 students.
State of Florida Arts Funding: Q&A
Florida’s arts funding has been partially restored—but the system has changed dramatically. While the 2026–2027 state budget includes $20 million for arts and culture grants, only a fraction of qualified organizations will receive funding. Explore our analysis of the legislative process, statewide and Palm Beach County funding data, and the Cultural Council’s advocacy efforts to better understand what’s happened—and why continued advocacy matters.
→ Explore the data and learn how you can help advocate for the arts.
Resources, Research & Reports
State & Federal Funding Impacts on the Arts & Cultural Sector in The Palm Beaches
An infographic document that details the state & federal funding impacts on the arts & cultural sector of Palm Beach County.
Arts & Culture Work for Palm Beach County Brochure
An illustrated brochure that details the arts & cultural impact of Palm Beach County, the State of Florida, and the U.S. as a whole using data sourced from Americans for the Arts and VISIT FLORIDA.
Americans Speak Out About the Arts
Conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Americans for the Arts, this public opinion poll measures arts and culture’s wide-ranging impact. We hope this critical study will embolden public and private sector leaders to work together to secure funding and arts-friendly policies that shape more vibrant and equitable communities
10 Reasons to Support the Arts in Palm Beach County
A one-page sheet highlighting 10 reasons that show why an investment in artists, creative workers, and arts organizations is vital to the nation’s post-pandemic healing and recovery.
2022 Cultural Sector Needs Assessment Executive Summary
An executive summary of the 2022 Cultural Sector Needs Assessment survey conducted in partnership with Surale Phillips (Decision Support Partners, Inc.)
Economic and Fiscal Impacts of COVID-19 on Palm Beach County Cultual Organizations
Responding to the Coronavirus state of emergency in 2020, the Council issue a survey about COVID-19 impacts on its constituent organizations between March 2020 and August 2020.
Arts Education Impact in Palm Beach County
The cultural sector’s contribution to the School District of Palm Beach County and other learning locations.
Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) provides compelling evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in Palm Beach County—one that generated $335.3 million in total economic activity during 2022. This spending—$189 million by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and an additional $146.3 million in event-related spending by their audiences—supports 4,360 jobs, generates $198.5 million in household income for local residents, and delivers $57.2 million in tax revenues to local, state, and federal governments. This study sends a strong signal that, even in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting recession, the nonprofit arts and culture is a formidable industry. AEP6 demonstrates that when we support the arts, we are investing in Palm Beach County’s economic and community well-being.
The Cultural Council partnered with Americans for the Arts on this study and commissioned customized reports for Palm Beach County and three of its largest cities. Full municipal reports are available upon request.
Cultural Advocacy Groups
Find links to local, state, and national arts advocacy organizations and partners here:
Palm Beach County
Boca Raton Cultural Consortium
Northern Palm Beaches Cultural Collaborative
No More Starving Artists Foundation
South Florida
South Florida Cultural Consortium
Broward County Cultural Division
Florida Keys Council of the Arts
Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
State of Florida
Florida Division of Arts & Culture
Florida Alliance for Arts Education
National
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
Take Action
Arts-friendly policies and funding need consistent support and the Council fights on the front lines to educate elected officials on the economic and quality-of-life benefits of the arts.
The Council can’t tackle these issues alone. Advocacy earns results by participation and strong voices from constituents. That’s you!
It takes two minutes to contact your representative with the simple facts stated here. Please use the links below to do just that.
Palm Beach County Commissioners
Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation