Miami Arts Education Receives $5.6M Boost from DeLuca Foundation

Arts Access Miami (AAM), a coalition of independent arts organizations, has secured a $5.6 million grant from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation to enhance arts education across Miami-Dade County public schools. This funding aims to provide consistent, high-quality arts programs to over 90,000 students in more than 100 schools by 2029.

The grant will be distributed in phases. An initial $2 million is allocated to support programming in 75 schools located in Miami Gardens and South Dade through 2028, impacting approximately 65,000 students. The remaining $3.6 million is designated for expansion into Central Miami starting in 2026, with the goal of reaching all 325 public schools in the district by 2032.

"This investment isn't just about expansion, it's about momentum," said Sammy Gonzalez Zeira, CEO and Founder of Young Musicians Unite and part of Arts Access Miami leadership. "We've built the model, proven the impact, and earned the trust of schools, funders, and families. Now we have the fuel to take it further."

Over the past five years, AAM has demonstrated positive impacts on student literacy, attendance, and emotional development through its in-school and after-school programs. The coalition has donated over 4,500 instruments, produced more than 300 youth performances, and awarded $3.7 million in grants to expand access and equity in arts education.

Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, President & CEO of The Miami Foundation, emphasized the broader implications of the grant: "Collaborations like this have the power to change systems. Thanks to the DeLuca Foundation and a growing coalition of partners, Miami-Dade is becoming a national model for how to provide access to the arts to all."

The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation is dedicated to supporting communities by creating and strengthening access to opportunity through education. The foundation believes in the power of education as a common thread connecting all the impact it strives to make. It invests boldly in organizations driving change for the greater good, focusing on areas such as economic mobility, youth and families, and arts.

This substantial investment in arts education is expected to have far-reaching social implications. By expanding arts education to underserved areas, the initiative aims to bridge the gap in educational resources, ensuring all students have access to quality arts programs. Participation in arts programs has been linked to improved literacy, higher attendance rates, and enhanced emotional development among students. Additionally, the initiative fosters stronger community ties by involving local artists and organizations, promoting cultural appreciation and community pride.

This grant comes at a critical time when arts organizations in Miami have faced funding challenges. In recent years, state funding for the arts has seen significant cuts, prompting organizations to seek alternative funding sources. For instance, in 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million in art grants from the state budget, leading many Miami arts organizations to turn to philanthropic foundations and local governments to fill the funding gap.

The $5.6 million grant from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation to Arts Access Miami marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of equitable arts education in Miami-Dade County. This investment not only aims to enrich the educational experiences of thousands of students but also serves as a model for collaborative efforts between philanthropic organizations and educational institutions to foster community development and social change.