Arts Council funding 18 individual artists and 34 organizations in fiscal year 2025
Three Arts Council of Hillsborough County grant programs totaling $414,872.78 in funding have been allocated to a combined 52 artists and organizations in Hillsborough's thriving arts community.
Established in 1991, the Cultural Development Grant Program provides general operating support funding to local cultural organizations. Twenty awards will be given to groups that sponsor performing and visual arts activities that serve diverse audiences and reach geographically diverse communities. The 2024-2025 awardees are located throughout the county, including in Carrollwood, Ybor City, New Tampa, and countywide or touring programs. They include Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting, Lumina Youth Choirs, and Tampa Repertory Theatre, among others.
The goal of the Community Arts Impact Grant is to make arts and cultural opportunities more accessible for underserved populations across Hillsborough County. The 14 awardees for this year include organizations such as Dance Tampa Bay, Kitchen Table Literary Arts Center, and Sunstate Orchestral Program. These awardees sponsor events, provide materials such as musical instruments, and facilitate workshops that provide other community-oriented programming.
For individual artists, the Professional Development for Artists Grant Program provides support for specific projects that advance the careers of artists in Hillsborough County. Grant recipients have used this funding to purchase laptops and photography equipment, or to attend a class or workshop to expand or enhance their work. The 2024-2025 awardees include Biscuit Ceramics ceramicist Jorie Berman, storyteller Jim Kissane, fashion designer DeJohnea Thorpe, and 15 other local talents.
Information about these grant programs, as well as the Historic Preservation Challenge Grant and Special Events Partnership Grant Program, can be found through the Arts Council of Hillsborough County. To learn more and see first-hand the work of these grant recipients, view the Art813 series on YouTube. Sign up to receive the Arts Council monthly e-newsletter.