My name is Isabella Al-Sharif and I am an artist from Tallahassee, FL, who has witnessed our arts community be tragically uprooted, not just by the physical devastation caused by tornadoes, but also by severe economic defunding. Our Governor's decision to defund arts in the state has strangled the lifeblood of our vibrant community, leaving us desperate and in dire need of support.

The arts are not just an aesthetic luxury, but an essential pulse of our society, providing cultural enrichment, tourism revenue, and significant employment opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, arts and cultural industries contributed $763.6 billion to the economy, amounting to 4.2% of GDP in 2015. Moreover, it has been shown that for every dollar invested in the arts, there is a direct $7 return on local economies (Americans for the Arts, 2018).

Yet, our arts community here in Tallahassee, has been left debilitated, both physically and financially. Without necessary funding, we are unable to rebuild, restore, and rejuvenate our creative hub - leaving us, the artists, without an avenue to express and connect.

We stand together in asking our local and state government to restore and upgrade funding for artists and art organizations in Tallahassee, to invest in our shared culture, economy, and hearts. Your signature could be the lifesaver that throws us the line of funding our arts community so desperately needs. Sign this petition to show you demand reinvestment for our arts community.