Welcome to the City of Fort Lauderdale's Office of Cultural Affairs! Established in 2022 and operating as a division of the Development Services Department, our mission is to enhance the city's vision, diversity, and character through the arts. We believe that equitable access to the arts is essential for a thriving community. To support this belief, the City of Fort Lauderdale allocates approximately $1.5 million per year to cultural organizations and activations.

Our office also encompasses the Public Art and Placemaking Program, which plays a crucial role in enhancing the city's aesthetic appeal. This program brings public spaces to life, rejuvenates structures and streetscapes, and bolsters the local economy while contributing to the quality of life for our residents.

Arts & Economic Prosperity Study

Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) provides compelling evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in Fort Lauderdale—one that generated $288.7 million in total economic activity during 2022. This spending—$103.0 million by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and an additional $185.7 million in event-related spending by their audiences—supports 4,897 jobs, generates $200.2 million in household income for 

local residents, and delivers $60.2 million in tax revenues to local, state, and federal governments. This study sends a strong signal that, even in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting recession, the nonprofit arts and culture is a formidable industry. AEP6 demonstrates that when we support the arts, we are investing in Fort Lauderdale’s economic and community well-being.

Takeaways:

• In the City of Fort Lauderdale, 57 of the 58 total eligible nonprofit arts and culture organizations identified by the City of Fort Lauderdale Office of the City Manager provided the financial and attendance information required for the study analysis—an overall participation rate of 98.3%.

• In the City of Fort Lauderdale, a total of 1,530 valid audience-intercept surveys were collected from attendees to nonprofit arts and culture performances, events, exhibits, and special events during the period from May 2022 through June 2023.

For the full report, please visit the document AEP6 Final Report.