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Davis Art Center reports balanced $1.5M budget and broad downtown economic impact
Summary
Devin Parker told the CRA the Sidney and Burne Davis Art Center ran a roughly $1,500,000 balanced budget in 2024, served an estimated 135,000 attendees across ticketed and free programming and cited an Arts & Economic Prosperity study suggesting more than $6,000,000 in audience spending in the community.
Devin Parker, CEO and president of Florida Arts Inc. (the Sidney and Burne Davis Art Center), reviewed the organization’s 2024–25 season and its finances.
Parker said the organization achieved "a balanced budget" of roughly $1,500,000 for 2024, noting income comes from ticket sales, sponsorships, grants, facility rentals, beverage and art sales and donations. He told the board the art center grew to more than 10 full‑time employees and 15 part‑time staff and estimated total attendance at "over a 135,000 estimated attendees," explaining that free gallery hours made exact counts difficult.
Parker also emphasized economic spillovers: citing the Arts and Economic Prosperity study, he said the audience’s spending in the downtown area amounts to more than $6,000,000 when excluding admission — money spent on restaurants, parking and childcare that supports local businesses. "Our annual spending supports over 33 full time jobs," he added, and highlighted student programs, concerts and volunteer engagement.
The board asked clarifying questions about ward-level scholarship reporting and noted that presenting scholarship distribution by ward made it easier to confirm equitable distribution of support. Parker said the organization hopes to expand earned-income streams to reduce dependence on grants.
