As Sanibel and Southwest Florida reimagine their Post-Hurricane Ian futures, now is the time to make art initiatives a priority.

Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, and (over the years) communities all across the state have suffered the consequences of these devastating natural disasters.

As we continue heading into 2023, after the impact of Hurricane Ian in September of 2022, the coastal communities of Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers, and Matlacha in Southwest Florida are still in the early innings of what looks to be a multiple-year storm recovery process.

From removing hurricane debris, to navigating insurance concerns, to rebuilding homes and infrastructure, to assisting in the recovery of local ecosystems, through tackling water quality issues; the list of important efforts that urgently need to be addressed goes on and on.

But in the aftermath of a hurricane, it’s important to remember that recovery is not just about rebuilding homes and infrastructure. It’s also about rebuilding the spirit and vitality of the community, and that’s where arts initiatives come in.

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In the aftermath of a hurricane, arts initiatives can play an important role in the recovery process. They can bring people together, provide a sense of hope and inspiration, and help to rebuild a powerful sense of community — while also working to revitalize local economies.

A key way in which arts initiatives can help in the hurricane recovery process is by providing a sense of community and a way for people to come together in the aftermath of a disaster. The act of creating art can be therapeutic and healing, and can provide a sense of purpose and hope for people who have lost so much. By providing spaces for people to express themselves through art, communities can begin to rebuild a sense of normalcy and hope for the future.

Arts initiatives can also play an important role in rebuilding local economies. Tourism-based coastal communities (like Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, and Matlacha) rely heavily on visitors to sustain their economies; and the loss of tourism dollars in the aftermath of a hurricane can be devastating. By investing in arts initiatives, communities can attract a coveted and growing demographic of art-savvy travelers who are interested in experiencing the authentic local culture of destinations with robust artistic offerings. This can help to create a new stream of revenue for local businesses and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy.

Arts initiatives can take many different forms, depending on the needs and resources of the community. Some communities may choose to host art festivals or exhibitions, while others may focus on public art projects that can help to beautify and revitalize damaged areas. Still, others may choose to offer art classes and workshops, providing residents with an opportunity to learn new skills and express themselves creatively. Whatever varied forms these initiatives may take, they can all play an important role in the recovery process, helping communities to rebuild and create a brighter future.

With such a wide variety of conversations actively occurring on Sanibel + Captiva (plus all across Southwest Florida) about how to build back all of the facets of our communities so they are stronger and more resilient; RIGHT NOW is the time to prioritize local arts initiatives as the essential, indispensable, and integral pieces that they truly represent to Sanibel’s (and Southwest Florida’s) Post-Hurricane Ian future(s).

Our communities are presently involved in making the types of major binding decisions that are certain to shape the foreseeable future of these places we love; the experience of being at these places we live at and/or visit; and the culture of these places that mean so much to so many people.

Art deserves a seat at the table; but the clock is ticking.

It’s up to us all: artists, community leaders, business owners, residents, and visitors to show up + stand up at these meetings; and to inject the concept of implementing arts initiatives into each and every one of these conversations that are taking place about the future of these places that we call home. Our arts community will benefit from more people choosing to speak up in support of these ideas.

We should be asking for an increase in art partnerships and collaborations with local governments and businesses. We should be asking for more inclusion of our vibrant local arts culture as part of what is emphasized in our future promotional tourism media spends and destination branding strategies. We should be asking about new opportunities for grants and loans to help local artists fund their work. A slate of public art projects. Additional exhibition spaces and opportunities. Inspiring mentorships. Bigger arts festivals. More…

We are limited only by our imagination and the ability to project our voices.

It’s time to get to work.