Since the inception of its art grant program in 2017, The Hernando County Fine Arts Council has supported the arts, civic, educational, or cultural nonprofit organizations throughout Hernando. Granting these agencies the funds needed to create, produce, appreciate, support, learn about, participate in and encourage the creative arts in Hernando County. And now, in 2021, the council will be expanding the grasp of its helping hand, increasing its grant amounts by double in many cases.
“The Arts Council is launching the applications for the 2022 Community Arts Grant,” said Allisa Babor, Media Contact for the Hernando County Arts Council. “Individual grants max at $1,000 rather than $500.”
Between 2017 and 2021, the council has awarded 41 Community Arts Grants totalling $14,750. This year, the Hernando County Fine Arts Council will offer grants of up to $1,000 each for local groups to promote the arts in Hernando County.
Any Hernando County education, art, civic or cultural organization recognized as a non-profit or charitable group may apply, with the types of projects eligible for funding including public art installations (mural, sculpture, etc.), art-focused events or performances, and art instruction.
“The Community Arts Grants Program is designed to involve county residents in creating, appreciating, participating in, or learning about the creative arts in Hernando County,” said Cheryl Hill, CAG Coordinator. “We’re excited that this year, for the first time, we’re able to offer grants up to $1,000 each.”
Funding for the Community Arts Grant Program is generated by donations to the Arts Council, by proceeds from our annual event, Art in the Park, and from the sale of the “Florida State of the Arts” specialty license plates sold here in Hernando County. As per grant public guidelines, all projects must align with the Arts Council’s Community Arts Grant mission. No matching grant funding is required of recipients, whose projects must take place in Hernando County. Grant funds must be used for approved project expenses only, and cannot pay for salaries, operating expenses, capital improvements, infrastructure, travel expenses, private entertainment, political advocacy, food or beverages, fundraising projects, or re-granting.
“In evaluating grant applications for funding, the Arts Council, or its grants committee, will give preference to projects that impact the most people, and are most effective in encouraging, promoting, supporting and/or showcasing the creative arts in Hernando County.”
To apply for a Hernando County Fine Arts Council grant, visit https://www.hernandoarts.org/cag-2022. The application deadline will be on October 22, at 5 p.m. On November 10, a grant review workshop will be conducted, and an applicant representative will be required to attend to respond to any questions pertaining to the application. On December 9, grant recipients will be selected. On December 16, 2021, grant awardees will be notified.
January 12, 2022, a grant meeting will be conducted, an applicant representative will be required to attend the meeting to receive approval to begin projects. The project period will run January 12, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022. Then on January 12, the invoicing deadline for 2022 projects will arrive.
