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State of the Arts 2026: Leaders caution arts groups of another uncertain year
Mayor Danielle Levine Cava speaks at the 17th annual State of the Arts for Miami-Dade County held in the County Commission Chamber of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center on Thursday, Feb. 12. (Photo courtesy of Miami Dade County Cultural Affairs)
Arts groups were praised for their resilience and scrappiness but also put on alert during the 17th annual State of the Arts in the County Commission Chamber of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Addressing the packed chamber of Miami-Dade County Commissioners, arts leaders and artists, Mayor Danielle Levine Cava kicked off the morning with a heartfelt thanks to artists and all in the arts community because “you have a special place in my heart,” she said. “I’ve done everything I could to elevate the arts.”
However, Cava warned that the county’s arts groups will be facing headwinds in the upcoming fiscal year. With a warning for groups to take on challenges early, Cava mentioned state decision makers in Tallahassee and having their voices heard. “(It is) critically important to let our legislators know that the arts are essential,” she said.
Albert E. Dodson, Jr., member of the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council returned as master of ceremonies introduced keynote speaker Brian E. May, chairman of the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Council stating about May that, “it is important for those that have worked in the public sector also work in the arts community.”
While May kicked off his address by telling those in attendance that “today’s message will be shorter this morning, I want there to be no doubt of the road ahead” which set the tone for his remarks.
Cultural Affairs Council Chairman Brian E. May speaks to a packed chamber of arts leaders, advocates and artists. (Photo courtesy of Miami Dade County Cultural Affairs)
He praised the community’s cultural pioneers who “came together and got busy solving problems” referring to an initial announcement that the arts budget for last fiscal year would be drastically cut.
“2025 was pivotal and historic in Miami-Dade County. Five newly formed constitutional offices forced a restructuring of our county government. And that restructuring placed tremendous pressure on the County’s General Fund resources,” said May.
In response to that pressure, “the Mayor and the Commissioners invited community input and worked tirelessly with the constitutional offices to balance competing demands for County resources. Thankfully, the end result was that our competitive cultural grants program, which is a model for the country, was almost fully restored to its previous year’s level and the Department of Cultural Affairs remained independent.”
May, like Cava, sounded the warning bell to groups that in 2026 they are facing new challenges but with new unknowns. He especially singled out State legislation and proposed property tax reforms being considered in this Legislative Session, which began on Jan. 13 and is scheduled to adjourn on March 13.
“Unfortunately, the mere consideration of such reforms, in and of itself, has a significant negative impact on the ability of our county leaders to appropriately balance competing budget demands,” he said.
On the federal level, legislation has proposed $207 million each to the National Endowment of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and $295 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. On the State level, $72 million has been recommended for arts funding in the Governor’s budget. May’s hope is that Legislature concurs with the proposed level of funding.
At the 2026 State of the Arts Address, Miami Dade Cultural Affairs Assistant Director Graham Winick_Poet Laureate Caridad Moro-Gronlier_Cultural Affairs Council Chairman Brian E. May_Interim Director Ashlee Thomas_County Artist-in-Residence Edouard Duval-Carrié. (Photo courtesy of Miami Dade County Cultural Affairs)
“Legislature found their way to $21 million last year so with some sanity in the Legislature, we’ll get there,” said May during a post-address interview. “Still, last year was about survival so we need to identify new revenue streams this year.”
The Council Chair urged the arts community not to give in to budgetary pressures, but rather “this is a time to double down on our commitment to support the arts in Miami-Dade County. The Cultural Affairs Council is committed to finding long-term sustainable solutions for local arts funding. But we must realize the solutions being explored won’t happen overnight.”
Lauding local arts group for not only being creative but for their business acumen, “I am thankful to our cultural community, there is not a call they don’t answer. . . . Our arts leaders are scrappy, they boot strap themselves,” said May after his address.
Cava, who is serving her final, consecutive four-year term, which will end in November of 2028, has been a champion for the arts.
“It is critically important to let our legislators know. We know art is an essential part of our human experience. Helps us connect, thrive and flourish so we will stay with our hands on the pillar. We want to ensure everyone can experience the transformative arts.”
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