Encouraging collaboration and audience building by emphasizing access to the Arts for all communities.
The next grant cycle opens April 1, 2027
Applications open on April 1, 2027 with a deadline of June 30, 2027. Applications for the 2026 cycle closed on June 30, 2026 and are no longer being accepted. For questions, contact the Arts Council at 305-295-4369 or info@keysarts.com. Everything below describes the program and stays accurate between cycles.
About the Grant
We are pleased to announce our grant program, Art Builds Community (ABC). The Council seeks applications for arts and culture projects that will spark conversations, spur social change and make our community stronger.
Who?
Florida Keys artists, arts organizations and civic/community-based organizations are encouraged to form alliances and partnerships to strengthen communities through projects that connect the arts with local issues and opportunities for all people. Selected applicants will receive funding to facilitate their proposed project activities based on the goals of the ABC Grant as described in the guidelines and resources on this page.
What?
The objective of the ABC grant is to strengthen community by fostering relationships between artists, arts organizations and civic organizations within the Florida Keys. The Arts Council will award funding in $5,000, $7,500 and $10,000 amounts to projects that support, build and broaden access to the arts and projects that address civic challenges and community issues through the arts.
Why?
The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has equal access to the arts and the fundamental right to express their culture through the arts. Many of our residents experience vast disparities in terms of access to and participation in arts and culture activities. We believe the arts have the power to change hearts and minds and inspire social change.
Examples of funded projects
See a project the ABC grant has funded, and the one-pagers below for further reading.
Art Builds Community: grant history of funded projects
Every project the grant has funded since it began, with its partners.
Inaugural Year 2018-2019
- Dive Into History History of Diving Museum & Diving with A Purpose
- Bubba's Fables KWHS Drama Club & The Studios of Key West
- Smilemaker Waypoint Foundation & Keys AHEC
- Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Fringe Theater & American Legion Post 128
- Arts & Military Tropic Cinema & US Military Postponed for COVID
2020-2021 Series
- Restoration & Representation KW Art & Historical Society & Monroe County Libraries
- WOKE: Celebration of Poetry By Strong Black Women Fringe Theater and Bahama Village women poets
- William Rhodes Residency The Studios of Key West & Black Educators Memorial Proj
- Drama Club Cooking Show KWHS Drama Club & Williams Hall
2022
- Beautiful Benchmarks City of Marathon & Craig Berube Gray
- Finding Inspiration in Isolation Erika Heffernan & MARC House
- Art & Science Celebration Series REEF & United Way
- Dive Into Art: Edge of the Sea History of Diving Museum & Art Guild of Purple Isles
2023
- Visual & Musical Arts Friends of the Key Largo Library & Art Guild/Purple Isles
- Key West Characters: True Stories Fringe Theater & Williams Hall
- Children's Outreach Series Tennessee Williams Theatre & MC School District
- Red Barn Big Night Out Red Barn Theater & 6 non-profits
2024
- Creating Keys Eco-Art Friends of the Key Largo Library & Pennekamp/Coral Restoration/Wild Bird Center
- Southernmost Youth Orch Irie Monte & Keys Comm School of the Arts
- Gift Shop Art Project Andrea Munchmeyer & Upper Keys MARC House
- Mike Wiley Performs The Studios of Key West & American Legion Post 128
2025
- ArtSpark: Igniting Creative Futures Key West Art Center & Somerset Academy
- Spotlight Series Tropic Cinema & 4 non-profits
- Dive into Art: Stories from the Sea History of Diving Museum & MC School District
- Expanding Arts & Culture Access for Women REEF & BPW
- Key West Playwright's Festival Michael Marrero & Williams Hall
- First Pitch of the Season Old Island Restoration Foundation & KW Baseball
Funded in part by Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty, The Helmreich Trust and private donations. To support the Art Builds Community grant program and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors in the Florida Keys, please contact Executive Director Elizabeth Young.