Arts Advocacy
A united fight for the arts
The arts need us as much as we need them. Between budget cuts and rising costs, we could see art programs disappear from our schools and neighborhoods. Our job is to keep art alive. These advocacy initiatives ensure that our community's needs are heard and that art stays accessible to us all.
Join us and be heard
Your voice matters, and it most certainly makes a difference. We invite you to get involved with our arts advocacy initiatives — from joining our annual meeting with Florida's legislators to the monthly advocacy calls, you can help us fight for the arts. See below for all our upcoming initiatives.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Jessica Caldas, Puerto Rican American artist, advocate, and activist always knew that art would be a part of her path.
Cindy Foley and Candy Foelix aren’t naive to hip hop’s negative reputation. The sisters know the stereotypes better than anyone.
Annual Arts Advocacy Plan
Expanding our outreach and awareness across four counties
The future of Central Florida, where all people have access to the arts, is entirely possible. To help realize that vision we’ve developed a scalable Annual Arts Advocacy Plan that will expand our outreach, increase awareness, and grow arts advocacy partnerships with elected officials.
Across Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, we’re spearheading outreach programs and developing toolkits to bring on new advocates and rally for increased arts funding.
- Click here to read the full executive summary and learn how you can get involved.
Join Monthly Advocacy Calls
In concert with The Florida Cultural Alliance, arts leaders and lobbyists host a monthly Zoom call to organize advocacy efforts and garner support. Usually on the fourth Monday of each month, at 10 a.m. EST.
Our Advocacy Partners
Together for the arts
This is a team effort made possible by agencies and committees across the state.
Our Primary Partners:
Our Primary Partners:
- Orange Arts & Cultural Affairs Advocacy Committee
- Florida Cultural Alliance
State and Local Partners:
- Division of Arts and Culture
- Council on Arts and Culture
- State Legislators and Local Orange County Delegation
- Local cultural partners, boards, leaders and arts advocates
National Partners:
Media Partners:
- Orlando Sentinel - Matt Palm article March 15, 2024: 'It's Bad': In Florida budget, arts groups get short shrift
- Media responses to State Arts Funding veto
Florida Arts Funding - Dept of State, Division of Arts and Culture
Links to the statewide Platform for the 2024-25 Division of Arts and Culture grant programs:
- Platform Summary pages
- Platform - Recommended Grants for United Arts service area (four counties)
- Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture - Grant Programs
United Arts Advocacy Toolkit
State Arts Funding - Advocacy Platform, provided by Florida Cultural Alliance:
- Division of Arts and Culture - State of Florida 2024-25 Platform Summary pages
- Local United Arts' four-county service area - Ranked, recommended grants list for Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties
State Arts Facts Sheets, provided by Americans for the Arts, Arts ACTION Fund:
- "Why the Arts Matter - Florida" - one-pager
- "Why the Arts Matter - Florida" - Social Media Instagram post
Arts & Economic Prosperity (AEP6) One-pager:
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- Orange County, Florida & 10 Reasons to Support the Arts
- Central Florida Region (7 counties) & 10 Reasons
- For more breakout reports on AEP6 see Research page
Arts Impact Explorer - your advocacy case-making tool to educate local decision-makers about the impact of arts and culture in building healthy and vibrant communities.
[We have so much to say about arts and culture in Central Florida! Please check back; this is a work-in-progress!]
If you are looking for a specific report or information, please contact Trudy@UnitedArtsCFL.org, or Outreach@UnitedArtsCFL.org.
IN THE News
Get Involved
United Arts is the leading arts agency in Central Florida. We fund and fuel the organizations and events that shape our community. For questions or finding ways to get involved, Contact Trudy@UnitedArtsCFL.org for more information.
