United Arts of Central Florida has received a $203,000 technology and automation grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, marking a major milestone in a long-standing partnership that now totals more than $1 million in cumulative investment in the region’s local arts agency.
The grant will support a comprehensive modernization of United Arts’ internal systems—upgrading financial management, strengthening cybersecurity, and expanding automation across core operations. While the improvements may happen behind the scenes, their impact will be felt across Central Florida’s creative ecosystem, helping United Arts more efficiently and transparently steward public and private arts funding for more than 100 artists and arts, cultural, and history organizations throughout the region.
“United Arts stands as a cornerstone of Central Florida’s creative economy,” said David A. Odahowski, President and CEO of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. He emphasized that strong infrastructure is essential to sustaining artistic vitality, noting that modern, secure, and efficient systems ensure that every dollar entrusted to United Arts is managed “with transparency, speed, and great care—so that creativity can flourish and continue enriching the lives of all who call Central Florida home.”
The technology and automation upgrades will move United Arts to cloud-based financial systems, reduce manual processes, improve real-time reporting, and enhance data security. These investments are designed not only to strengthen internal capacity, but also to free staff to focus more fully on mission-driven work—supporting artists, funding organizations, and advancing a thriving arts community across Central Florida.
For United Arts, the investment represents a transformational step forward. “By modernizing our technology and strengthening our infrastructure, we are building the capacity to move resources faster, share data more transparently, and support our partners more effectively,” said Rochelle Brockington, Chief Financial Officer of United Arts. She added that these improvements allow artists and organizations to focus on what matters most: “making art possible for our community.”
Together, United Arts and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation continue to demonstrate that investing in strong, responsible systems is a powerful way to sustain creativity, accountability, and long-term impact—ensuring that Central Florida’s arts community can thrive for generations to come.
