Community Arts Grants Program

The Hernando County Fine Arts Council's Community Arts Grants Program provides funding to support local civic and cultural organizations involved in arts programming within Hernando County, Florida. The program is tailored to enhance community engagement in the arts and to encourage the appreciation, creation, and public presence of creative works. The Council is a local entity committed to enriching the cultural fabric of Hernando County, and this grant initiative supports their ongoing mission to integrate art into community life. The Community Arts Grant offers a maximum award of $1,000 per grantee for projects scheduled to take place within the 2026 calendar year. Eligible projects include public art installations such as murals or sculptures, art-focused events or performances, and instruction-based art programs. All proposed activities must align with the Council’s mission and take place within the boundaries of Hernando County. Funds can only be used for approved project-related expenses and not for administrative costs, staff salaries, infrastructure, food or beverages, or political activities. Eligibility is limited to Hernando County-based organizations that are recognized as non-profits or charitable groups with a focus on education, arts, civic, or cultural programming. Governmental entities, including schools, are not eligible under this program but may consider applying under the separate Arts in Education Grant. Each organization may submit only one application per funding cycle. Grant recipients are expected to properly credit the Council in all promotional materials and communications and are required to submit detailed documentation and a final report by January 20, 2027. The submission process includes two optional workshops. A pre-application workshop will be held on September 24, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Council’s office, providing a venue for applicants to ask questions and receive guidance before submitting their proposals. A grant review workshop follows on October 23, 2025, at 5:30 PM (location TBD), where applicants may respond to questions from the grant review team. The final application deadline is October 6, 2025. Award decisions will be made public on November 13, 2025, and applicants will be notified by email on December 1, 2025. All projects must take place between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. Funds are disbursed post-project upon submission of an invoice and final report, which must include proof of deliverables, financial documentation, promotional materials featuring the Council’s logo and acknowledgment, and photographic evidence of the events. Social media posts about the project are required to tag the Council’s official pages if the organization has a presence on those platforms. Questions may be directed to Cheryl Hill, Community Arts Grants Program Coordinator, at cheryl.h@hernandoarts.org or by phone at 352-587-8062. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Council’s website at www.hernandoarts.org/cag for more information and to submit their applications online.