At Save The Music, we’ve seen firsthand how music transforms lives. This upcoming 2025–2026 school year, we are on track to deliver new music programs to 10 Miami-Dade public schools, ensuring more students have access to the creativity, confidence, and community that music education provides. But these efforts — and the cultural heartbeat of Miami itself — are at risk.
In recent years, arts organizations across Florida have faced significant funding cuts at both the state and federal level. Many have scaled back programming, laid off staff, or closed their doors altogether. Now, new proposals at the county level could deeply impact the future of the arts in Miami — and most importantly, the lives of the students and teachers we have seen benefit from these programs.
The proposed Miami-Dade County budget would slash $12.8 million in arts grants, eliminate the Department of Cultural Affairs, and cut the positions of key arts champions and decision-makers. This would devastate hundreds of arts organizations, threaten thousands of jobs, and erode the vibrant cultural identity that makes Miami unique. We have until Thursday, September 18 to speak up.
Here’s how you can help before September 18th, 2025:
1. Contact Your Commissioner
Your voice matters locally. Reach out to your district commissioner and share how these cuts would impact your community.
📩 Email your commissioner, click the button below to locate your commissioner’s email address.
Subject: I Stand With The Arts
Use or borrow from the below script:
Dear Commissioner,
I’m urging you to stop the proposed 50% cut to the Department of Cultural Affairs and the plan to merge it with the Library Department. These changes would devastate our arts community, erase $12.8 million in funding, and threaten jobs, programs, and Miami-Dade’s cultural identity.
The arts generate $2.1 billion annually and support 32,000 jobs. They are not a luxury—they are essential.
Please restore full funding, keep the department independent, and protect the future of Miami-Dade’s arts.
2. Sign the Petition
Join the growing list of community members calling for the protection of Miami-Dade arts funding.
The Bigger Picture | The Miami Economy & Student Career
Pathways
The arts in Miami-Dade are more than a luxury — they are an economic powerhouse. Arts and Entertainment initiatives generate $2.1 billion annually in Miami, they support 32,000 jobs, attract 4.2 million cultural tourists, and produce $443 million in public revenue. To put this into perspective, every $1 invested in the arts in Miami brings back $42 to the community. (*Source: Action Network)
At Save The Music, we know that arts education is a direct pipeline to these creative careers. Through our J Dilla Music Technology grants, we equip students with the tools, mentorship, and industry exposure needed to explore opportunities in audio engineering, production, and other arts-related fields. Today, there are 10 active J Dilla Music Technology programs in Miami, building a diverse and talented future workforce for our city’s creative economy.
Arts budget cuts like these have real consequences. Local organizations such as City Theatre, Pioneer Winter Collective, and Miami Light Project have already been forced to scale back programming, cancel performances, and reduce staff due to previous funding losses. Without county support, many will not survive — and with them, Miami and South Florida risks losing spaces for self-expression, belonging, and cultural heritage.
📢 Take action today. The deadline is September 18. Together, we can protect Miami’s arts — and the next generation of creators who will carry our cultural legacy forward.