Florida has nearly doubled funding for the arts, from $58 million to $93.9 million.
However, the vast majority of this amount is allocated for member projects, and the grants overseen by the Division of Cultural Affairs has dropped from $43.3 million to $32 million. The member projects includes $1 million for design of the Center for Arts and Innovation in Boca Raton. The Florida Cultural Alliance has opposed member project funding as it bypasses the vetting process. Also cut from the budget was Culture Builds Florida, which provided grants of up to $25,000 to individual artists and small organizations.
Expansion of the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando are on hold until funding can be obtained from the city and county. The $175 million third phase of construction includes an outdoor music venue, rooftop event space, and food venues.
Miami City Ballet dancers have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to be represented by AGMA. They hope to build a stronger and more cohesive workplace culture. This is the second time dancers have attempted to secure AGMA representation.
The Justice Department is preparing to sue Live Nation over antitrust violations. In an investigation that began in 2022, the Justice Department has found exorbitant ticket fees and stifled competition. Live Nation subsidiary Ticketmaster now holds more than 80 percent market share of ticket sales for the largest venues.
recording
AFM musicians have ratified a new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. For the first time, musicians will receive streaming residuals and protections against artificial intelligence. They will also receive a performance bonus for the most successful streaming shows, as well as health care contributions for streaming work. The terms are similar to those won by the Writers Guild in their recent negotiations.
The Motion Picture Association is planning to work with Congress again to block websites with pirated content. In 2023, piracy website visits were up 12 percent from four years ago, to 141 billion visits. The MPA had previously tried to work with Congress in 2012 to restrict access to piracy websites.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav saw his compensation package rise to $49.7 million, up from $39.3 million the previous year. His compensation is now based more on cash flow rather than stock price, and cashflow rose in 2023 due to the strikes in Hollywood.
symphonic
Klaus Makela has been named music director of the Chicago Symphony. The 28-year-old will be the youngest music director in the U.S. since Gustavo Dudamel became music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the age of 28. Makela has served as principal guest conductor of the Swedish Radio Symphony, chief conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic, and music director of the Orchestre de Paris.
The Charlotte Symphony has raised $41 million of its $50 million goal to stabilize its endowment. $10 million has been pledged by Bank of America and the C.D. Spangler Foundation, and another $5 million by the Knight Foundation.
The Miami Lyric Opera gave its last performance last November. Founder Raffaele Cardone has announced that he is closing the 22-year-old company. The reasons he gave for closing the company were finances and his long-overdue retirement