United Arts of Central Florida will administer and disburse a new $5 million investment in Osceola County cultural facilities, supporting capital projects that strengthen the county’s cultural infrastructure and enhance experiences for residents and visitors.
The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners designated United Arts to administer the investment over two years through the new Osceola County Cultural Facilities Grant Program. Funded through Tourist Development Tax revenues, the program will support eligible capital projects at arts and cultural facilities throughout Osceola County.
The investment represents an evolving partnership between Osceola County and United Arts and expands the region’s commitment to strengthening the spaces where arts and culture are experienced. United Arts has partnered with Osceola County Public Schools to provide arts education programs for decades, and this new partnership with the County leverages United Arts’ experience as a regional grantmaker to support Osceola County’s growing cultural infrastructure.
“Arts and culture are essential to a growing, thriving community. They bring people together, inspire creativity, celebrate the stories that define who we are, and create experiences that make Osceola County a special place to live, work, and enjoy,” said Osceola County District 2 Commissioner Viviana Janer. “This is more than an investment in facilities; it is an investment in the vitality of our community, the experiences we create for residents and visitors, and the cultural legacy we leave for generations to come.”
Eligible organizations may request funding for one capital project, including facility expansions and renovations, HVAC and other building systems, accessibility improvements, repairs, permanent equipment and other infrastructure-related needs. Funding is not intended for programmatic expenses.
Eligible facilities include publicly owned or nonprofit-operated museums, auditoriums, performing arts venues, historic cultural facilities and other eligible cultural or natural attractions that meet applicable Tourist Development Tax requirements. Proposed projects must take place at eligible facilities located within Osceola County and open to the general public.
“Strong arts and cultural organizations need well-equipped spaces to do their work and welcome guests,” said Jennifer Evins, President & CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. “This investment is a natural extension of our long-term commitment to Osceola County and its growing community. By partnering with Osceola County to invest in these spaces, we’re strengthening the role they play in tourism, economic vitality, public access, and quality of life, while creating experiences we hope visitors will discover and make part of their travels to Osceola County.”
Applications for the Osceola County Cultural Facilities Grant Program open September 1 and close October 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing and must have been located and operating in Osceola County for at least two years prior to applying.
United Arts will offer an applicant information session on September 8 at 10 a.m., which will also be recorded for later viewing. Volunteer grants panel review and site visits are anticipated to take place in November and December, with the United Arts Board making funding decisions and award announcements expected in January 2027.
