Commission affirms $500,000 nonprofit grant to NSU Art Museum despite community questions

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission on Jan. 7 approved a fiscal-year 2025 grant participation agreement that directs $500,000 to Nova Southeastern University in support of the NSU Art Museum, a grant the city had previously included in its budget.

The resolution passed on a roll-call vote after public comment that questioned whether the museum’s services and the incentives offered under the agreement provided sufficient public benefit to justify the allocation.

Dominique Key, a Fort Lauderdale resident, said she opposed the grant and urged the commission to direct funds toward programs she considered higher-priority needs such as affordable housing, public safety or youth services. "These benefits are minimal, and they do not address the everyday needs or concerns of our residents in a meaningful way," Key said.

Museum representatives including Bonnie (surname not specified) and other staff described the museum’s community programs, attendance and free offerings. The museum reported annual attendance in the range of roughly 40,000 to 75,000 visitors and said a majority come from Fort Lauderdale. Museum staff told the commission the institution provides roughly 4,000 free student field-trip experiences annually, maintains free admission for children 12 and under, runs a biweekly teen art council at capacity and participates in a national Museums for All program that admits SNAP beneficiaries for free.

"For over 4,000 public school students last year, we provided free field trips to the museum with tours, free art workshops. We pay for the buses," the museum representative said, and added the institution had stepped in to replace state arts funding that was cut.

Commissioner Beasley Pittman said she would vote no on the resolution and asked that the commission revisit the amount in the next budget cycle. "I would like for us, for the next budget year to have a conversation regarding the amount that's being allocated to the museum," she said during the vote. The roll call was otherwise all yes.

The final vote: Vice Mayor Glassman — yes; Commissioner Beasley Pittman — no; Commissioner Sorensen — yes; Commissioner Herbst — yes; Mayor Trantales — yes.

The agreement is an annual not-for-profit grant participation agreement the city executes with the NSU Art Museum. Museum staff outlined multiple community access programs — free neighborhood days, field trips, discounted materials, teen programs and community events — as part of the institution’s public benefit case.

Commissioners who supported the grant highlighted the museum’s regional reputation and its educational and cultural programming. Commissioners who expressed reservations said they wanted a future conversation about the size of the city’s annual contribution.