Florida's cultural coast: how tourism shapes public funding for the arts in Sarasota

Rachel Nelson Assi

doi:10.17918/00011227

This thesis examines how Sarasota County uses its Tourist Development Tax (TDT) to fund arts and cultural organizations and assesses the benefits and limitations of a system that links local public arts funding to tourism revenue. The study aims to understand how this model operates, how it shapes the local arts sector, and what other communities might learn from it. Using a qualitative approach, this research draws on interviews with Sarasota County officials, arts administrators, journalists, and volunteer grant panelists. These perspectives are analyzed alongside existing literature on arts funding, cultural tourism, economic development, and the role of local arts agencies (LAAs). The findings reveal several major themes. First, Sarasota's cultural identity is deeply connected to its economic strategy. Interviewees repeatedly emphasized that the arts distinguish Sarasota from other communities and play a central role in attracting visitors and residents. "Florida's Cultural Coast®" is a marketing strategy, but also a shared belief that culture is a key part of the County's identity. This supports the idea that sustained community pride in the arts has helped maintain political and public support for ongoing cultural investment. Second, the findings show that while tourism-based funding is generally a stable source of income, it is also subject to external pressures. Economically, the TDT has been a strong and reliable revenue source. It has grown significantly over the past two decades, reaching nearly $48 million in 2022, and has rebounded quickly after external disruptions. For many arts organizations, the TDC/A grant program, which is funded by TDT revenues, provides a predictable, recurring stream of support. Yet, changing political whims endanger the system's continued reliability. Because County Commissioners hold final authority over every allocation, even minor shifts in political priorities can influence funding decisions. Interviewees described the 2024 decision to deny funding to three organizations, despite positive recommendations from reviewers, as unprecedented and perceived by some as politically motivated. State-level threats also exist, as seen in legislation that proposed eliminating county Tourist Development Councils altogether. These examples highlight that the system relies not only on tourism performance but also on continued political support, which can change quickly. A third major finding involves access and equity. While many organizations benefit from TDT funds, the system's data and reporting requirements favor groups with professional staff and established infrastructure. Smaller, community-based, or education-focused organizations often struggle to meet these expectations, making the program less accessible for them. Analysis of nonprofit budgets and prior year grant funding amounts supports the idea that administrative burden may lead to unequal access in the TDC/A grant process. The research also examines the role of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County (ACA). As the local arts agency, the ACA administers the TDC/A program and advocates for the arts sector. The findings show that the ACA plays a crucial intermediary role by helping organizations navigate the system, and by maintaining clear lines of communication with County Commissioners. Many stakeholders noted that the ACA has become more active and collaborative over the years but still has room to expand its leadership role. National research also shows that LAAs often act as translators between government priorities and arts community needs. Finally, the study explores broader issues related to perceptions of value. Most interviewees agreed that the arts are central to Sarasota's identity and economic success, but several expressed doubt that elected officials view the arts the same way. Many local arts leaders have increasingly adopted economic language emphasizing tourism impact and return on investment to maintain political support. While this strategy is practical, it may narrow how the arts are publicly understood and valued. Overall, this thesis finds that Sarasota's arts funding model is effective because it strongly aligns the arts' economic value proposition with regional cultural identity. However, its long-term stability depends on political consistency, strong tourism performance, and continued advocacy. The study suggests that other communities exploring tourism-based funding for the arts should build strong cultural narratives, support smaller organizations with capacity-building, and balance economic arguments with broader discussions of public value. Future research could compare similar models in other regions, study the impact of climate-related disruptions on tourism-based funding, or examine how cultural tourism influences long-term migration and relocation patterns.

Florida's cultural coast: how tourism shapes public funding for the arts in Sarasota

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Florida's cultural coast: how tourism shapes public funding for the arts in Sarasota

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