Conversations: Michael Spring

On April 11, 2020, Michael Spring, Director of the the Miami Dade Cultural Affairs Council and Xavier Cortada discussed the impact of the COVID-19 in Miami-Dade’s cultural sector, how artists can help lift spirits and give us hope during these difficult times, and how his department is working to support cultural organizations and artists now and will continue to work with them after this moment passes so the arts can help restart the economy and bring back economic prosperity to Miami-Dade County.

About Michael Spring

Michael Spring serves as director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, where he is responsible for supervision of a public arts agency with an annual budget of more than $53 million and a staff of 100. He represents the Department on numerous cultural and civic organizations including service as chairman of the board of the Florida Cultural Alliance, secretary of the board of directors of Americans for the Arts, a founding board member and officer of Americans for the Arts Action Fund, member and past President of the United States Urban Arts Federation, chairman of the 5-county regional arts alliance, the South Florida Cultural Consortium, and director of the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council.  In 2014, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez expanded his responsibilities by appointing him to serve as a Senior Advisor for the County’s Cultural Affairs and Recreation portfolio, including oversight of the arts, parks and library departments.
 

About Xavier Cortada

Click here to read the artist’s bio.

Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs

The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council develop cultural excellence, diversity and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting opportunities for artists and cultural organizations, and our residents and visitors who are their audiences. Through staff, board and programmatic resources, the Department, the Council and the Trust promote, coordinate and support Miami-Dade County’s more than 1,000 not-for-profit cultural organizations as well as thousands of resident artists through grants, technical assistance, public information and interactive community planning.
 

Link to Resources