The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival stands in solidarity with the Orlando, Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa Fringe festivals.

The recent veto of arts funding by Governor DeSantis in Florida, accompanied by statements that mischaracterize Fringe events and festivals, is misinformed, misguided and damaging to the cultural health of the Florida citizens and economy.

This action by the governor not only hurts arts and cultural organizations that have nothing to do with Fringe festivals in the state of Florida, it also signals a step backwards in providing safe spaces for artistic expression and different voices of all kinds. Fringe festivals are not-for-profit organizations, existing primarily to provide artists with the tools, resources and opportunities to share their stories with engaged audiences, fostering a rich cultural economy for all citizens. Fringe festivals drive economic impact, create jobs, help tourism thrive, and attract sponsorship investment.

Governor DeSantis’s decision to veto funding for the arts is shortsighted if he truly wants Florida to be a destination for culturally curious tourists and residents. We urge the governor to reconsider this action. And we ask local, national and international Fringe fans to write and call the governor’s office and let him and the Florida legislature know that Florida needs to support their Fringe festivals, cultural institutions and arts organizations. They benefit Florida and the world.

Office of Governor Ron DeSantis State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 (850) 717-9337

Statement from the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF)
Orlando Weekly article with statement from Orlando Fringe
Statement from Tampa Fringe (pdf)