2026 State of the Arts in Miami-Dade County Address
Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 10:00 am
With the support of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Arts and Business Council of Miami.
This event brings together business, government, civic and cultural leaders for a status report on the cultural landscape of Miami-Dade County. This is the 17th Annual State of the Arts Address.
We appreciate all guests be seated by 9:45 am. Refreshments served on the third floor terrace level immediately following the address. Space is limited; RSVP is required by Wednesday, February 11th.
FUNDING FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs FY 25/26 Quarterly Grants Programs
Geraldine Toussaint / Geraldine.Toussaint@miamidade.gov
A quarterly program for non-profit organizations developing small to medium-scale community-based cultural programs, projects and events, such as fairs, parades, neighborhood festivals, conferences and publications.
FY 2025-2026 Fourth Quarter Courtesy Review Deadline: February 12, 2026, 11:59 PM
Application Deadline: February 19, 2026, 11:59 PM
Tourist Development Grants Program (TDC)
Nikenna Smart / Nikenna.Smart@miamidade.gov
A quarterly program which provides support to significant cultural and/or special events, including sports activities and television/film origination projects that promote Miami-Dade County’s appeal as a tourist destination. Activities must be able to stimulate tourism and have significant media impact for Miami-Dade County.
FY 2025-2026 Fourth QuarterPre-Submission Workshop: March 11, 2026 at 12:30 PM - RSVP
Courtesy Review Deadline: April 6, 2026, 11:59 PM
Application Deadline: April 13, 2026, 11:59 PM
FY 2026-2027 Spring Grant Cycle Now Open
Funding for Organizations
Michael Spring Major Cultural Institutions Grant Program (MCI)
Deadline: March 10, 2026, 11:59 PM
Cultural Advancement Grant Program (ADV)
Deadline: March 9, 2026, 11:59 PM
Cultural Development Grant Program (CDG)
Deadline: April 9, 2026, 11:59 PM
Developing Arts in Neighborhoods Grant Program (DAN)
Deadline: April 9, 2026, 11:59 PM
Festivals and Special Events Grant Program (FEST)
Deadline: March 9, 2026, 11:59 PM
Hannibal Cox, Jr. Cultural Grant Program (HCJ)
Deadline: March 12, 2026, 11:59 PM
Youth Arts Miami Grant Program (YAM)
Deadline: March 12, 2026, 11:59 PM
Youth Arts Enrichment Grant Program (YEP)
Deadline: March 11, 2026, 11:59 PM
Audience Access Grant Program (AUD)
Deadline: Rolling Deadline
Capital Development Grant Program (CAP)
Deadline: April 13, 2026, 11:59 PM
International Cultural Partnerships Grant Program (ICP)
Deadline: April 9, 2026, 11:59 PM
Funding for Individual Artists
Miami Individual Artists Grants Program (MIA)
Deadline: March 16, 2026, 11:59 PM
Artist Access Grant Program (ART)
Deadline: June 1, 2026, 11:59 PM
Dance Miami Choreographers' Grant Program (DMC)
Deadline: March 12, 2026, 11:59 PM
RESOURCES
Cultural Grants Workshop for Arts Groups, Artists and Nonprofit Community Organizations
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
Monday, February 23, at 2PM - Workshop Via Zoom
RSVP
Are you looking for funding for your cultural project? Join us for the next informational session on how to access Miami-Dade County grants for cultural activities.
As part of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs' Arts Energize 305 initiative, you can attend workshops to learn about opportunities for artists, arts groups and nonprofit community organizations virtually, via Zoom.
Who Should Attend:
Arts groups, cultural organizations, community nonprofit organizations, individual artists and artist collectives are invited to attend these free workshops about Miami-Dade County's cultural grants programs. Municipalities, social service organizations, colleges and universities may also be eligible to apply. Learn how to apply for arts funding and which grants programs may be the right fit for your cultural project.
Cultural Affairs staff will provide information about the competitive funding opportunities for nonprofit arts groups and artists as well as other helpful resources available for the cultural community.
Art projects that are especially encouraged include those:
- with a strong community involvement;
- with an outreach component that promotes inclusion and equitable access to the arts;
- with a focus on delivering cultural services to underserved populations and/or under-resourced neighborhoods;
- that have the potential to generate tourism;
- that are particularly sensitive to the needs of indigenous cultural activities;
- that are encouraging the preservation of heritage, traditions and culture: and,
- where social service organizations and cultural groups are developing collaborative intervention projects using the arts.
There will be an interactive Q & A session following the workshop presentation. Questions will be addressed in English, Spanish, or Haitian Creole. ADA/accessible accommodations are available.
Institute of Museums and Library Services Grants
IMLS National Leadership Grants for Museums
Museum-based learning and engagement in practices in the museum field; museum field’s response to community needs; collections care and conservation issues. Can be project- based or research-based.
Eligibility: Must be a museum or institution of higher learning
Award range: $50,000 - $750,000
Grant period: Sept. 1, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2029
Deadline: March 13, 2026
IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Program
Support the professional development of the current museum workforce; recruit and train future museum professionals.
Eligibility: Must be a museum or institution of higher learning
Award range: $100,000 - $500,000
Grant period: Sept. 1, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2029
Deadline: March 13, 2026
IMLS Museum Grants for African American History and Culture
Build the capacity of African American museums and HBCUs to serve their communities; and; Support the growth and development of a professional workforce at African American museums and HBCUs. Objectives include: A. develop, enhance or expand public program, exhibitions and/or school programs. B. Strengthen museum operations by developing new or improved strategic plans, management practices; or institutional polices. C. Improve care and conservation of museum collections and archives.
Eligibility: Must be an African American museum or HBCU
Award range: $5,000 - $100,000; or $100,001 - $500,000
Grant period: Sept. 1, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2029
Deadline: March 13, 2026
IMLS Museum Grants for American Latino History & Culture
Build the capacity of American Latino history and culture museums to serve their communities and advance the growth and development of a professional workforce in American Latino cultural institutions. Objectives include: A. develop, enhance or expand public program, exhibitions and/or school programs. B. Strengthen museum operations by developing new or improved strategic plans, management practices; or institutional polices. C. Improve care and conservation of museum collections and archives.
Eligibility: Must be a museum or institution of higher learning
Award range: $5,000 - $500,000
Grant period: Sept. 1, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2029
Deadline: March 13, 2026
IMLS Museums Empowered
A special initiative of the Museums for America grant program that supports projects that use professional development and training to generate change and growth within museums of all types and sizes.
- Digital Technology: Train museum staff to integrate digital technology into operations.
- Evaluation: Strengthen the ability of staff to use evaluation as a tool to shape programming and outcomes.
- Organizational Management: Strengthen and support staff as the essential part of a resilient organizational culture.
Eligibility: Must be a museum or institution of higher learning
Award range: $5,000 - $300,000
Grant period: Sept. 1, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2029
Deadline: March 13, 2026
IMLS Museums for America
The Museums for America (MFA) program invests in museums of all sizes and disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities.
- Lifelong Learning: Advance the capacity of a museum to serve people of all ages and backgrounds through experiential learning and discovery.
- Community Engagement: Advance the efforts of a museum to respond to community needs.
- Collections Stewardship and Access: Advance the management and care of collections and their associated documentation.
Eligibility: Must be a museum or institution of higher learning
Award range: $5,000 - $300,000
Grant period: Sept. 1, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2029
Deadline: March 13, 2026
ARTS EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT
Building Safe Spaces: Trauma Sensitivity in Youth Arts Programming with Dr. Kevin W. Spencer
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs’ Arts Education Division presented Dr. Kevin W. Spencer on January 20th, 2026, at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center. This professional development workshop was created to engage the department’s youth arts organizations, to help them empower the lives of their constituents, the children and youth of Miami-Dade County. This presentation was made possible with the support of The Children’s Trust and The Taft Foundation.
Dr. Spencer is an award-winning performing artist, educator, and researcher specializing in the educational and therapeutic use of magic. After 25 years of international performance, he became a leading authority supporting individuals with autism, developmental and intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbances, and trauma histories. Dr. Spencer holds a Ph.D. in Education with a focus on Special Education and advanced certifications in Neuropsychology, Autism Studies, and Trauma Support.
Click here to view the recap video.
ARTS OPPORTUNITIES
Marketing & Development Director
The Chopin Foundation
Close date: 2/28/2026
Administrative Assistant and Events Coordinator
The Chopin Foundation
Close date: 2/28/2026
For more information, culture@miamidade.gov. Thank you.
Para más información, culture@miamidade.gov. Gracias.
Pou plis enfomasyon, culture@miamidade.gov. Mèsi.
The most reliable way to contact us continues to be through email. Search the staff directory.
It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, CART, and/or any accommodation to participate in Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs sponsored programs or meetings, please contact Dana Pezoldt 305-375-4634 / culture@miamidade.gov, five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).