Photo: Chance 2 Dance
ORLANDO, Fla. – United Arts of Central Florida is investing $50,000 to support 10 cross-sector collaborations that bring together arts organizations and community partners to address serious issues facing our community. Through its Community Impact Grants, United Arts continues to advance a vision of a thriving arts community that fuels lasting prosperity, creativity, and well-being for all in Central Florida.
“These collaborations make it clear that the arts are not separate from the challenges our communities face, the arts can often be the solution,” said Jennifer Evins, President & CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. “From education to health to community well-being, these projects demonstrate how the arts can drive meaningful progress and help build stronger, more connected communities. By investing in cross-sector partnerships, we’re advancing work that meets real needs and creates lasting impact right here in our region.”
Each selected project reflects a partnership between an arts-based nonprofit and at least one non-arts-based organization, demonstrating how the arts intersect with everyday issues across our community. These initiatives are designed to serve communities with limited access to the arts with intention, creating experiences that are relevant, responsive, and rooted in shared goals between the partnering organizations.
This year, 10 organizations were selected from a competitive pool of 21 eligible applications, each receiving $5,000 to support project implementation between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
Selections were made by a panel of 26 community volunteers through an in-depth vetting process. Panelists brought expertise across arts, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement, carefully evaluating each proposal based on the strength of the partnership and how it reflects areas where the arts have a positive impact across society, as outlined by the Arts Impact Explorer from Americans for the Arts.
Many projects will include programs, workshops, and community-based experiences open to the public. Details on these events and more will be posted on ArtsinOrlando.com, United Arts’ cultural events calendar.
2026 Community Impact Grant Awards
| Applicant Organization | Cross-Sector Partner Organization | Project Description |
|---|---|---|
| Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens | Elevate Orlando | Immersive workshop days engaging Title I high school students in art, nature, and personal development across three cohorts from Evans, Jones, Colonial, and Oakridge High Schools in Orange County. |
| Chance 2 Dance | Nemours Children’s Health | Monthly adaptive dance classes at Nemours Children’s Hospital beginning April 2026. Inclusion-certified instructors lead 90-minute sessions designed for pediatric patients, caregivers, and siblings, featuring varied themes, simple movement patterns, and a low-pressure, welcoming environment. |
| Descolonizarte Teatro | The Farmworker Association of Florida | A bilingual collective-creation theater project centering the real stories of documented and undocumented Latinx immigrants. Over a 2 to 3 month process, participants collaborate to develop an original performance that humanizes immigrant narratives and encourages civic engagement. |
| Drums in Recovery | AdventHealth Hope & Healing Center | A 10-week, trauma-informed rhythm-based recovery program serving 20 individuals at the AdventHealth Hope and Healing Center in Sanford. The program culminates in a live performance and creative arts day. |
| Heart of Florida United Way | Midway Elementary School for the Arts | A yearlong Composer-in-Residence program supporting Seminole County’s first Community School. Professional composer Dr. Charles Griffin will co-create an original musical work with students, expanding access to hands-on, culturally relevant arts learning. |
| Open Scene | Florida Gulf Coast University | A trauma-informed, bilingual puppetry workshop series for incarcerated individuals preparing for reentry. Participants build puppets and rehearse job interviews, supporting emotional well-being, confidence, and communication skills. |
| Orlando Ballet | Victim Service Center of Central Florida | Emotions in Motion, a dance therapy program for trauma survivors combining structured dance activities with professional mental health support to foster healing, confidence, and resilience. |
| Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra | UCF College of Health Professions and Science Mighty Knights Program | Symphony Storytime performances blending storytelling, chamber music, and sensory engagement, with inclusive adaptations for children with complex communication and motor needs. |
| Whiskey Theatre Factory | Hope CommUnity Center | Development and production of Teseos Volvido, a trilingual play incorporating Spanish, English, and Haitian Creole. Community members contribute throughout the script development process to ensure cultural and linguistic integrity. |
| Winter Garden Art Association | Creating Aging LLC, Vibrant West Orange | Technique Tuesday with Vibrant, free biweekly art classes for adults ages 55 and older in East Winter Garden, focused on creativity, social connection, and reducing isolation. |
