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Financial Crunch for Central Florida Arts: NewsNight Explores Fallout from $32 Million Funding Cut

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This Friday, NewsNight on WUCF TV is set to explore the financial challenges facing Central Florida's arts organizations in the wake of a significant budget veto. The program will delve into the implications of Governor Ron DeSantis's decision to eliminate $32 million in grant funding from the state budget, a move he justified by citing concerns over "sexual" content at Fringe festivals. However, arts and cultural groups argue that this decision is having far-reaching consequences across the community, affecting a wide range of organizations beyond just Fringe events.

The special segment, airing at 8:30 p.m., will feature an in-depth report by host Steve Mort, who visits a small theater to examine the real-world impact of the lost state funding. Viewers can expect insights from a diverse panel of arts leaders, including representatives from Opera Orlando, United Arts of Central Florida, Orlando Family Stage, and the Florida Cultural Alliance. This comprehensive discussion aims to shed light on how Central Florida's non-profit arts community is responding to and coping with these financial setbacks, offering a nuanced look at the challenges and potential solutions facing the local arts scene.

Steve Mort will be joined by:

  • Matt Palm - Orlando Sentinel
  • Hillary Brook - Executive Director, Theatre South Playhouse.
  • Gabriel Preisser - General Director and CEO, Opera Orlando.
  • Jennifer Evins - President and CEO, United Arts of Central Florida.
  • Jennifer Jones - President and CEO, Florida Cultural Alliance.
  • Chris Brown - Executive Director, Orlando Family Stage.
  • Mariah Roman - Curator and Visual Artist, Art of Collab.
  • Justin Muchoney - Interim Executive Director, Central Florida Community Arts.
     

Don’t miss NewsNight this Friday at 8:30 p.m. on WUCF TV. For more information visit wucf.org/newsnight

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About WUCF: 

WUCF TV and WUCF FM are Central Florida’s premier sources of compelling content and community engagement. As the sole-service PBS member station for nearly 4.5 million residents across nine counties, WUCF TV fosters curiosity and learning through award-winning local shows like Florida Road Trip and NewsNight, as well as extensive PBS KIDS programming.  

WUCF Education has reached over 1.5 million people at in-person events and aims to engage children, empower caregivers, and support educators to build a community that helps change lives. 

With over 45 years of broadcasting from the University of Central Florida, WUCF FM is a leading source of jazz available both on-air and online. Both WUCF TV and FM are community-supported public broadcasting entities from UCF. Learn more at http://wucf.org