HowlRound Theatre Commons: In 2025, political ideals clashed with the arts across the United States. The overhaul of the Kennedy Center was just one of several battles. Unfortunately, the blueprint of incoming change has emerged from none other than the Sunshine State, Florida. As a born and raised Floridian theatremaker, I’ve seen Florida make headlines in ideological battles for my whole life. Floridian artists live in a unique ecosystem of political polarization, the climate crisis, a constantly growing population, and a rich state history.
2 comments:
You know, I hate to say that it doesn't shock me that the arts are being cut in this day and age, because it seems there has always been a problem with funding. The idea of it affecting Florida, one of the most politically controversial states (having a heavy lean in Republican ideals and government officials), makes sense again because of what is occurring in today's politics. Not only is receiving less money an issue, but receiving no money at all is something that some businesses will be facing, and that is just not right. The arts give people a place to be creative and express themselves, but also provide an audience with the telling of a story, and make them experience art. Though it provides these things, money is needed to make it happen. I feel for the Floridian companies facing this battle, and I wonder if people will ever realize the importance of art and how much work it takes to put up a production.
Theater is a coming together of people from different lives, different experiences and backgrounds, who can all collectively join in one place and experience each other's stories. Lawmakers all over the country but especially in Florida are trying to reform what performance arts mean by only supporting art if it appeals to the regime, and cutting out everything else. The end goal of an authoritarian regime is to eliminate any idea that a different culture, different life, could be better. The goal is to develop this kind of persistence towards being a perfect member of the regime, living the “American dream,” and being a western version of “perfect.” To celebrate communities that don’t uphold white supremacy is opposing the regime, and must be stopped. Hence, with all of the horrors taking place and the people in power who are, there are efforts- especially in more conservative spaces- to eradicate arts and education since they inherently focus attention on hurt caused by the regime, empathy and true storytelling.
Post a Comment