This photo essay follows the daily operations of four local art organizations, Florida International University’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator, Young Musicians Unite and City Theater. After losing funding following the arts grant vetoes to the state budget this past summer, each has had to make significant changes to its programming and management to stay afloat.
A jacket designed by Jerchovia Moxey at FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator, crafted from upcycled PantherNOW newspapers. Inspired by the program’s focus on socially conscious designs and entrepreneurship, Moxey creates sustainable, multi-wear garments that challenge fast fashion by offering timeless and versatile pieces.
Stacked tableware designed by Laura David for those with Parkinson’s disease, featuring an innovative caveat for accessibility. Created during her time at FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator, the project aims to blend inclusivity with thoughtful design, avoiding stigmatization through function and form.
Created through FIU’s Ratcliff Art + Design Incubator, the KINGS Coloring Book by the NOULA collective reimagines Haiti’s legacy as a humanitarian revolution. The story of Haiti, as author/artist Maxime Pierre explains, is not just a story of revolt but of resilience and humanitarian revolution—a story that speaks to all who seek to preserve cultural heritage and drive change. It highlights the power of art to inspire, educate, and empower communities to rewrite their narratives.
FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator features a wall of projects developed by its fellowship artists and designers, reflecting the creativity and innovation fostered within Miami’s arts community.
Artist Ahol Sniffs Glue (David Anasagasti) showcases his project ‘Geographies of Trash’ at FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator, transforming discarded items like coffee cups and fry holders into sought-after art. The project aims to shift perceptions of waste.
Founding director Jacek Kolasinski holds a copy of KINGS, an educational coloring book about Haitian history. The project was created in collaboration with NOULA, an art exhibition and movement dedicated to inspire Haitian pride.
Miami Lakes’ Main Street Players, facing a $25,000 funding loss for this fiscal year, are seeing reduced pay for staff members like Alex Tarradell, who shares, ‘We have to put in the same amount of hours for less pay.”
Since 2013, Young Musicians Unite has impacted over 25,000 students across 61 schools, providing music education and vocational experiences. As Miami’s only in-school music nonprofit for grades 5–12, YMU fosters confidence, friendships, and skills, enriching the lives of over 9,000 inner-city students annually.
To watch the accompanying documentary, click here. To listen to the accompanying audio story, click here. To watch the accompanying video story, click here. To visit the accompanying website, click here.
