ORLANDO, Fla. – April 25, 2023 — United Arts of Central Florida (United Arts) announced a new grant program to invest in the intersection of arts and culture and economic and social impact in Central Florida. The Community Vibrancy Grant Program, funded by the Ginsburg Family Foundation, is a placebased pilot program that will engage local performing artists to enliven public spaces within the commercial districts of Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
“United Arts is committed to strengthening the arts and cultural ecosystem in Central Florida to support local artists in their communities and develop an audience for their art form,” said Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of United Arts. “We are so grateful for the Ginsburg Family Foundation for helping United Arts increase access to diverse artistic experiences in our neighborhoods.”
The vision of United Arts is to increase access to the arts for all people of Central Florida. To achieve this vision, United Arts has set strategic goals to grow its grants and outreach programs to be more inclusive, equitable, impactful and sustainable. The Community Vibrancy Grant Program is designed to elevate community vibrancy by increasing pedestrian traffic and spending in local businesses, restaurants, and other hospitality venues and support creative placemaking by engaging and paying performing artists to amplify civic engagement and community pride.
“I am so excited about the Community Vibrancy Grant Program,” said Joanne C. Grant, executive director of Mills 50, an Orlando Main Street District. “To be able to activate the public spaces in Mills 50 with artists and musicians will have a positive impact on our businesses and will increase visitors to our area.”
There are ten funding opportunities within this pilot program, each with an award amount of up to $4,500. To be considered for the Community Vibrancy Grant Program, applicants must be 501 (c)3 organizations that are Main Street Programs, Market Street Programs, Merchant Associations, or other nonprofits with an economic development or creative community development mission located in Lake, Orange, Osceola or Seminole Counties. Project requirements include the use of vetted performers (any performance discipline is eligible) and performers must be paid a stipend per performance.
The application deadline for the Community Vibrancy Grant Program is May 21 with program implementation between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024. This program has limited eligibility and will require an access code to apply. To get the code, email United Arts Grants Program Officer, Elyse Jardine (Elyse@UnitedArts.cc).
Organizations can learn more at https://unitedarts.cc/grantee-resources/grants-2/.
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About United Arts of Central Florida
United Arts of Central Florida is the local arts agency uniting the community and fueling the arts. With the help of individual donors, corporations, foundations and public funding, United Arts inspires creativity, builds community and strengthens the economy in Central Florida. United Arts is proud to facilitate arts education programs for all ages and provide critical funding and comprehensive marketing for local art, science, and history organizations and individual artists.
For more information, visit http://www.UnitedArts.cc or call 407.628.0333.
