A message from Markus Gottschlich, Executive Director of the Warehouse Arts District Association:

It is with great concern and disappointment that we address the recent veto of arts funding by our state’s administration. This unprecedented decision marks a historic departure from the bipartisan support that arts and cultural institutions have traditionally received. For the first time, a governor has decided to withdraw crucial support for the arts, effectively pulling the rug out from under the very foundation of our state’s cultural vibrancy.

The Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) is among the 577 organizations affected by this veto, losing over 10% of our budget. This severe reduction in funding will have a domino effect, impacting our community and threatening job losses within our sector. Smaller nonprofits like ours, which depend heavily on these grants, are disproportionately affected.

”Arts and culture are the lifeblood of our communities and reflect our diversity and vibrancy. Cutting arts funding is essentially cutting culture itself, leading to a diminished quality of life for our citizens. This veto also threatens the economic health of our state, as cultural programming drives tourism and local business. Ultimately, the state will suffer the greatest loss, both in reputation and in failing a central responsibility to nurture the arts and culture,” according to Markus Gottschlich, Executive Director of WADA, adding that it “effectively destroys the vitality of a society”.

We urgently appeal for collaboration and increased support from our county, city, and our donor and member base. Only together, we have a chance to sustain the creative spirit that made St. Pete and the Warehouse Arts District so unique.

How to Support the Arts

• Donate to your favorite nonprofit arts organizations like the ones listed in the video:

Academy of Ballet Arts
American Stage
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts / Mahaffey
Creative Pinellas
EMIT
Imagine Museum
Jobsite
Studio @ 620
Warehouse Arts District Association

• Volunteer your time
• Write letters of support to our legislation
• Tell people you know to visit the organization/exhibit/show/etc.
• Purchase tickets / go to shows / see art
• Vote in elections
• Don’t normalize cutting funding to the arts

Watch the Full Conversations

Hear what our local nonprofit leaders and experts have to say about the recent veto: