Early voting is off to a strong start. It’s important to remind City of Sarasota residents to check where candidates stand on issues related to arts and culture.

Arts and culture cannot, and should not, be taken for granted. Our cultural institutions are what have made Sarasota “the cultural coast,” and they form the backbone of our economy. A 2015 study showed that these institutions brought 7,445 jobs and $295 million in direct expenditures to Sarasota annually.

While there are examples of leaders supporting arts and culture in our community, there is still work to do. To this point, these organizations must be supported in ways that allow them to thrive.

Take Selby Gardens, for example. They have private funding on private land for their future vision, and have created a thoughtful plan for the City Commission to consider. It’s a shame that some are pitting neighborhoods against cultural organizations. Both can co-exist: in fact, their co-existence is what makes most cities desirable places to live and visit.

As you cast your vote for City Commissioners, I urge you to educate yourself on where the candidates stand on Sarasota’s arts and cultural assets. The City’s future depends on it.

Frank Maggio is a commerical lending officer at First Home Bank.