When the Universe Reminds Us Why We Stay
Sometimes Iggy and I feel overwhelmed by everything we're juggling right now. Running a for-profit and a nonprofit, working part-time jobs, trying to have a life together, spending time with family scattered across the US—it all adds up. The weight of it can feel crushing.
Nonprofit funding is under attack. The arts are under attack. And honestly, we question our own commitment sometimes.
We start fantasizing about leaving Miami. Going somewhere slower, quieter, definitely less expensive. Maybe it's time to close up shop.
But then something happens.
300 People and a Pair of Dancing Shoes
Last Monday night at Gallery 100, with the help of our new friend Luis Valenzuela and the MIAMI Shoe Museum, we welcomed over 300 people to our latest exhibition at the InterContinental Miami as part of Noche de ARTe.
Luis had dreamt of doing this exhibition for years—a celebration of Celia Cruz's passion and spirit. But as the centennial event loomed closer (her birthday is October 21, 1925)—he was at risk of not having a space to realize this dream. When collaboARTive opened up Gallery 100 to Luis for October, we knew we were saying yes to something important. What we didn't know was just how much work it would take from all of us. But as Luis says, "Celia made it happen!"
During those four hours, we talked with artists and creatives, business professionals, dreamers and doers. We shared excitement about the exhibition. We celebrated the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. And we were reminded—viscerally, powerfully—why collaboARTive means something. Not just to us, but to our community.
Opening night for Dancing Shoes: A Legacy in Motion, 10/3/25 at Gallery 100
Dan Ramirez, a previous Noche de ARTe artist in residence, pulled Iggy aside to share a conversation he'd had with a former Belen student. The warm, heartfelt compliments that came back reminded Iggy of his impact across 32 years of teaching art to boys in Miami.
Guest Audrey L. Alleyne finally had a moment to sit down with us at the end of the evening. She shared how important our organization has become to her in embracing her creative practice after a long and successful career in finance.
So many conversations about the importance of supporting the arts, about how we impact our community, flowed throughout the evening.
Then the Universe Doubled Down
The next day, we got the notice: we received a capacity building grant from the Community Reinvestment Alliance of Florida (CRAF), funded by Truist Bank, to support the sustainability and growth of our nonprofit.
This came just weeks after learning we didn't receive funding from both the Miami Foundation and the CreARTE grant—two opportunities we'd invested significant time and hope into. Those rejections stung. They made us wonder if we were on the right path.
But the CRAF grant? It felt like the universe saying, "Not yet. Keep going."
The Numbers Tell a Story Too
Our final report for the Miami Downtown Development Authority grant showed the tangible impact of what we're building:
4,958 attendees at Noche de ARTe throughout 2024-25
$140,276 in total economic impact—a 10.7x return on our $13,153 program investment
3.8 full-time equivalent jobs supported in our local economy
$86,490 in household income generated
$15,664 in tax revenue for local and state government
$4,448.67 in artist stipends paid directly to creators
$4,400+ in art sales for participating artists
Every dollar we invest generates $10.66 in economic activity. But more than that—every Monday night, we're creating space for connection, for creativity, for community.
Iggy and Jean Font, Artists & Cofounders
Over the seven years we've been supporting the arts in Miami-Dade County—through our for-profit Font Squared and our nonprofit, Warehouse 4726, now collaboARTive—there have been many ups and downs. It's been a roller coaster ride. We do sometimes feel like this may be the end. Time to close up shop.
But then, as Iggy likes to say, the universe gives us a gift and asks the question: "Do you really want this? Are you sure? What about now?"
The incredible reminders of what we do in Miami, and how small this big city really is, keep us rooted in our mission to support the practices of artists in this town.
We're not making money, but we are making a difference.
And apparently, the universe isn't done with us yet.
