Laura Bruney has been president and CEO of the Arts and Business Council of Miami since 1988. She was inducted into the inaugural Miami-Dade County Arts Hall of Fame in 2025.

A thriving arts community does more than enrich the cultural fabric of a community—it also serves as a powerful driver of economic growth and business success. In Miami-Dade County, the arts mean business.

Our cultural ecosystem is currently facing significant challenges due to an uncertain economy and proposed cuts in the Miami-Dade County budget. The consequences of these financial constraints extend beyond the cultural landscape, threatening the economic vitality of the community during these challenging times.

As the founder of the Arts & Business Council of Miami, I can attest to the importance of keeping the arts in business. For 40 years, we have been at the forefront of Miami’s transformation into one of the most diverse and inventive cultural centers in the United States.

Our vibrant cultural community is not just an asset; it is an economic powerhouse. With over 22 million annual participants, the arts generate more than $2.2 billion in local economic activity and support over 33,000 jobs.

The influx of millions of cultural tourists fuels the hospitality industry. Cultural venues in our neighborhoods and urban centers provide a steady stream of customers to restaurants, retail shops and other local businesses. Furthermore, the arts sector plays a crucial role in attracting corporations, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to the area. Communities that showcase innovation and cultural vitality are more likely to attract investors and skilled professionals who are drawn to vibrant and inspiring places to live and work.

Miami-Dade County arts funding isn’t just good for culture—it’s smart business. The arts are a vital ecosystem built on the dreams and determination of people from all walks of life, reflecting our community’s diversity, boldness, and openness to reinvention.

We ask the Miami-Dade Mayor and Commissioners to fully fund the arts in its 2025/26 budget.

To express your support for the arts, connect with your elected officials and join us at the next Miami-Dade Budget hearings on Sept. 18.

The Board of County Commissioners will discuss the FY 2025-26 proposed budget at its next public hearings on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 5:01 p.m., at the Stephen P. Clark Center – Commission Chambers, 111 NW 1st St., Suite 625, Miami. Public testimony is allowed at the hearings. Plan to arrive early to sign up at the visitor’s desk in the lobby and fill out a speaker’s card. Each speaker is generally given 2 minutes to address the Board.

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