Twenty Lee County organizations are among entities statewide that have been affected by a surprise veto by Gov. Ron DeSantis who axed the entire $32 million legislative appropriation for the arts a few weeks ago.

The local arts community took a collective hit of more than $1.8 million.

Organizations affected include Cultural Park Theater, which will not get $25,000 in expected grant money; the Southwest Florida and Gulf Coast symphony orchestras, earmarked for about $293,000 between them; Florida Repertory Company, Inc., which was allocated $150,000; and the Lee County Alliance for the Arts, which was budgeted $131,000.

Why are these organizations and others like them now scrambling?

The governor, it seems, had issues with a handful of non-local groups’ artistic endeavors and opted for a clean sweep.

Now arguments may be made as to whether public funds should be earmarked for the arts or any “non-government” purpose.

Arguments also may be made that funding for the arts, like funding for sports, for tourism, for, well, any economic driver, actually “returns” those tax dollars and then some.

But no argument can be made for a politically motivated budget surprise that impacts not only organizations that made it through the annual vetting process, but all of us who enjoy the services and programming provided — 140,000 individuals annually at the Alliance for the Arts alone.

In terms of dollars?

According to the Alliance, the economic impact on Lee County alone is a $16.2 million loss.

Statewide it translates to an estimated loss of $288 million.

These organizations now have to cut people or programs or try to raise the shortage with the Alliance for the Arts among them.

The Alliance has launched a campaign, Art is Essential. They are hoping that 150 art lovers will commit to a donation of $50 a month, a small donation spread over time.

Those interested may visit artinlee.org/art-is-essential/.

Other organizations are also turning to fundraising with information available on their websites and social media.

If you take part in the arts, now’s the time to show some them some love in the form of some much-needed cash.

Breeze editorial