About the OPPORTUNITY
Update: More information for future cycles of this grant will be announced soon. Please check back periodically for updates.
Individual Artist Awards provide competitive funding up to $5,000 to support specific, relevant, and meaningful arts, history, and science experiences of value to the communities you serve. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, United Arts defines “community” as any group that your organization is intentionally working to serve (e.g. members, students, artists, participants, audience, geographic community, ethnic heritage, or cultural traditions).
Funds may be used to create, perform, exhibit, or publish artistic works or to present arts, history, or science events by contracting with services or other organizations or individuals and will require a public-facing component that increases access to art and cultural experiences.
Individual Artist Awards:
- Increase access to and participation in arts, culture, history, or science programming within our communities.
- Act as a catalyst for positive change through arts and culture-based creative community development.
- Amplify a variety of cultures, voices, and experiences in our communities.
- Please note: these are awards and therefore identified as taxable income. If awarded, you will receive a 1099 form from United Arts to include in your 2025 or 2026 taxes (based on the year your project is in and when you are given the funds).
Individual Artist Awards provide up to $5,000 for the following:
- For the purposes of this grant, applicants should refer to the following classifications:
- Emerging Artists - Exceptionally talented, early- to mid-career artists who demonstrate a strong interest and a commitment to continued training.
- Established Artists - Exceptionally talented artists who have demonstrated considerable experience in their field, with a substantial body of work.
- Have a public benefit and enrich the community of Central Florida by advancing artistic excellence and increasing access to innovative and unique arts experiences.
- Support activities that further the careers of artists with professional practice to help them grow and thrive in Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.
- Support specific activities/work such as presentations, training, research, and/or creation of artwork with tangible outcomes.
Maximum Request Amount: $5,000
- Funding is competitive; not all projects of merit are able to be funded.
- Any applicant whose project will not be possible with partial funding must indicate so in the application.
- United Arts funds may be used to support eligible project-related activities within the one-year grant period.
- Applicants will be notified if they include ineligible expenses in their project budget/application.
Artist Eligibility:
- Artists with professional practice in literary, media technology (including digital artists), visual, and performing arts can apply but must reside in Lake, Orange, Osceola, or Seminole counties. Proof of residency will be required to receive payment.
- Must be a citizen of the United States, or a permanent legal resident1
- Must plan to reside within one of the four counties listed above throughout the project period, Dates TBA.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must not be a United Arts employee or board member.
- Must not be pursuing an undergraduate degree in the same field during the project period.
- Only one application per individual may be submitted for this grant program, per funding cycle. These grants are very competitive. Not every project of merit will be funded.
*For full eligibility requirements please read the Guidelines document.
Application Tips:
- Start early!
- Read all guidelines thoroughly and take note of any questions.
- Proofread! It can be helpful to have colleagues or friends review the application before final submission. You can ask for a courtesy review by United Arts before the deadline.
- Save often!
- Submit early!
- Leave extra time at the end in case you have questions or computer trouble. Missing documents or fields will prevent the submission of the application. Contact and project information for all grantees will be made available to the press, and United Arts may use quotes or pictures from applications or reports in publicity.
- Don’t stop here!
- Post your events for free at https://calendar.unitedartscfl.org/login/. This resource is open to everyone to use, and it will be a requirement to post your project if awarded. For instructions on how to post to the Calendar, visit this link.
For tech support or other questions: Contact Cameron Robinson at cameron@unitedartscfl.org or call 407-504-0684 or Outreach at outreach@unitedartscfl.org.
