Miami Arts and Entertainment Council

Mission Statement

The Arts & Entertainment Council (or MAEC) serves in an advisory capacity and makes recommendations to the Mayor, City Commission and City Manager regarding endorsement or support of specific art and entertainment initiatives. Our objective should also be to create opportunities for emerging arts & entertainment industry professionals.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to become a central hub for Miami’s arts and entertainment community. While Miami has slowly established itself as a vibrant center for the art, thanks to Miami Art Week and Art Basel, it has yet to fully realize its full potential, furthermore, with equal vigor, we need to nurture aspiring musicians, filmmakers, and creators in the music, film, and television industries. The Council seeks to enhance the City of Miami as a global destination on par with other major cities. The Miami Arts and Entertainment Council (MAEC) vision is to bridge this gap by supporting local creatives who seek to live, work, and thrive within the community. Our goal is to foster an environment where creativity flourishes and local creators are honored. Overall, we want to show that the arts are a viable industry that can drive both economic growth and social connection. MAEC should embody the transformative power of the arts to inspire, engage, and connect communities.

Strategic Goals

1. Enhance Cultural Infrastructure
   • Connect with all the art spaces, theaters, and creative hubs throughout the city - starting with the ones that are outlined on our website.
   • Foster public-private partnerships to fund cultural infrastructure projects.
2. Support Artists and Cultural Organizations
   • Provide grants, fellowships, and financial assistance to local artists and arts and entertainment organizations.
3. Engage the Community through Arts
   • Promote inclusive programming that reflects the diversity of Miami’s communities.
   • Expand access to the arts by supporting free or low-cost events and performances.
4. Promote Miami as a Global Arts Destination
   • Highlight Miami’s arts and entertainment offerings through international marketing campaigns - launch our own bimonthly, quarterly magazine, focusing on arts & entertainment.
5. Leverage Arts for Economic Growth
   • Use the arts as a tool for economic development by supporting cultural tourism and creative industries.
   • Encourage local businesses to engage with and invest in the arts.

Division 10 MAEC Code of Ordinances(PDF, 123KB)

The Council shall consist of 11 members. Six members are to be appointed by the Mayor and five members appointed by each City Commissioner.  

Term Limit: 1 year Terms, limited to 8 Consecutive Terms, then 1 year break.

View the updated list of members on Legislative Hub.

The Board meets every second Wednesday of the month. 

To view times and locations please visit: Legislative Hub.

Networking Mixer

MAEC hosted its first Art & Entertainment Networking mixer on September 5^th, 2024. This networking mixer called artists of all mediums and entertainers throughout the City of Miami to a night of networking and enthrallment of the arts with live poetry reading by Miami Poetry Club, live jazz and bossa music by local musicians Lucia & Steven, curated art exhibit of local artists, and dance performance by Alexandra Molina.

Picture of artists that participated in the curated art exhibit and received certificates on behalf of the council. 

Miami Art Week

MAEC partnered with Miami Urban Contemporary Experience (MUCE) and the Dorsey House during Miami Art Week to host the “Power of the Pen” panel on December 6^th. The council curated a panel of local artists and advocates to discuss the significance of their crafts.

Picture of the “Power of the Pen” panelists. Panelists from left to right: Emma Cager-Robinson (Highlander Center Group), Edson Jean (Writer, Actor & Director), Kenny Calderon (Comis Book Artist & Teacher), Wilkin Brutus (Reporter & Journalist for WLRN), Sten Garcia (Founder of Miami Poetry Club).

Little Haiti Little River Art Days

The Council sponsored a City of Miami trolley for Locust Projects’ “Little Haiti Little River Art Days” Miami Art Week event on December 7^th, 2024. The trolley provided visitors of various art and entertainment spaces in Little Haiti & Little River transportation to and from the participating locations at no cost. The Council continues to support the LHLR Art Days by providing a city trolley for their quarterly event.

On May 3^rd 2025, the Council sponsored a city of Miami trolley for Little Haiti Little River Art Day’s first event of 2025. Through the Department of Human Services, MAEC coordinated with the organizers of the event and city administration to provide a trolley for patrons of the event. Through rain and shine, the trolley followed a pre-determined loop that lasted the entire event. For more information on each organization please visit lhlrartdays.com.