Through its Department of Cultural Affairs, Florida provides numerous grant opportunities for artists and nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Any funds given to individual artists or organizations must be expended within the fiscal year in which they received the award. Grantees must also file a final report on the use of the grant by July 30 of the fiscal year.
Individual Artists Fellowships
As of 2011, Florida provides up to $5,000 in individual artist fellowships. While grant money does not have to be spent on a particular project, it must go toward professional development or some aspect of the grantee's specific artistic goals. Individual artists may only receive an award once every five years. Applicants must be Florida residents over age 18 who are not enrolled in any graduate or undergraduate program. Artists must create original artworks professionally for consideration.
Specific Cultural Project Grants
These grants fund several types of specific projects. These include Arts in Education, which provides money for artist in residence programs and art partnerships. The artist residency allows professionals to teach art in a public school, relate art to other disciplines in the school setting or perform works for a school audience. Arts partnership grants fund projects between nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and educational institutions. The Underserved Cultural Community Development grant provides matching funds for art and cultural projects for targeted, low-income populations.
State Touring Program
Performing artists may receive funding through the state touring program. Applicants must be Florida-based artistic companies or individual performers, and new applicants are placed on the state touring roster every two years. Generally, between 30 and 40 artists or companies are included on the list. Nonprofit organizations, known as presenters, work with artists on the state touring roster to arrange performances. Organizations may only present five artists or companies annually, for a limit of $20,000 as of 2011.
County Grants
Each year, the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs awards funds to county nonprofit artistic and cultural organizations, which in turn provide grants for local artists and arts projects. Florida artists and local nonprofit arts or cultural organizations should contact their county or city department of cultural affairs for proposal guidelines and funding criteria.
