In the SpotlightUnited Arts Invests $150K to Support 30 Artists Across Central Florida

United Arts of Central Florida is investing $150,000 directly into 30 professional artists and creative entrepreneurs across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties, a $50,000 increase over last year that will help bring new performances, exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs to communities throughout 2026 and 2027.

Announced as part of the 2026–2027 Individual Artist Awards, the funding supports both project-based work and professional development for artists whose practices span music, theater, dance, literature, photography, painting, mixed media, illustration, and history and science. Thirty recipients were selected through a competitive review process by a volunteer panel of arts professionals and community leaders who evaluated more than 100 applications.

The investment reflects United Arts’ broader vision for a thriving arts ecosystem and the importance of artists to the region’s identity and economy.

“Local artists help tell the authentic stories of who we are as a region,” said Jennifer Evins, President and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. “This year’s Individual Artist Awards support projects that preserve culture, strengthen communities, encourage dialogue, and invite people of all backgrounds to experience the arts in meaningful ways. We are proud to invest in these talented creatives whose work will enrich Central Florida for years to come.”

More than a dozen of this year’s funded projects center on community engagement, inviting residents to participate through workshops, performances, exhibitions, and collaborative artmaking. In all, 22 of the awards support project-based work that will bring new artistic experiences directly to the region.

For Lake County artist Nicora Gangi Manwaring, the award supports a deeper exploration of the region’s natural environment.

“The Individual Arts Award will enable me to explore through painting Lake County’s accessible lakes at dawn and dusk, revealing their distinctive character through the changing light and atmosphere,” said Gangi. “These discoveries will be shared through exhibitions and educational programs for participants in Vibrant and Healthy West Orange and the Mount Dora Center for the Arts. By demonstrating how color and a variety of artistic mediums capture these transformations, I hope to inspire the artist in us all with a deeper appreciation for our environment.”

Together, the funded work demonstrates how artists are helping strengthen communities, preserve culture, inspire learning, and improve quality of life throughout Central Florida. Public event information will be available on ArtsInOrlando.com as projects are announced.

2026–2027 Individual Artist Award Recipients