Osceola County Cultural Facilities & Venues

Program Overview

The Osceola County Cultural Facilities Grant Program supports capital investments that strengthen Osceola County's cultural infrastructure, enhance visitor experiences, increase public access to eligible cultural facilities, and generate measurable impact for Osceola County residents and visitors. Funding supports repair, renovation, construction, and equipping projects at eligible cultural facilities located in Osceola County. Funding is provided through Tourist Development Tax revenues.

Eligible Project Types

• Repair: Projects that restore an existing facility to a safe, functional, or usable condition (roofing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural repairs, fire suppression, waterproofing, building envelope repairs).
• Renovation: Projects that improve, modernize, upgrade, or enhance an existing facility (ADA accessibility improvements, gallery improvements, theater modernization, visitor amenities, restrooms, code compliance).
• Construction: Projects involving new construction, additions, or significant expansion of eligible cultural facilities (building additions, new performance or exhibit space, new visitor-serving facilities).
• Equipping: Projects that provide fixtures, equipment, and facility infrastructure directly related to the cultural facility (theatrical lighting, audio systems, rigging, projection, security systems, permanent exhibit equipment, technical infrastructure).

Eligible Applicants

• Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing with the IRS, Florida Department of State (Sunbiz), Osceola County and United Arts.
• Operate eligible cultural programming, services, or facilities within Osceola County for at least 2 years prior to applying.
• Be current on all required grant reporting and contractual obligations, if previously funded.
• Demonstrate organizational and financial capacity to manage the proposed project.
• Submit a complete application and all required attachments by the published deadline, including the 990s for the two most recently completed fiscal years.

Eligible Facilities

• Publicly owned or nonprofit-operated museums open to the general public.
• Publicly owned or nonprofit-operated auditoriums open to the general public.
• Performing arts venues that meet applicable eligibility requirements and are open to the general public.
• Historic cultural facilities open to the general public.
• Other eligible cultural or natural attractions that meet applicable Tourist Development Tax requirements.
• Arts education facilities are not eligible unless they otherwise meet the applicable definition of an eligible cultural facility and are open to the general public.

Funding Details

• Total funding pool: $4.5 Million over 2 years
• Minimum request: $2,000
• Maximum request: $4.5 Million
• Match requirement: None
• Number of applications: One application per organization, facility, project, site, or phase unless otherwise approved.

Key Dates

• Application opens: September 1, 2026
• Applicant information session/workshop: Late August/September (recorded)
• Application deadline: October 16, 2026 @ 11:59 PM
• Staff eligibility and completeness review: October 19-30, 2026
• Panel Orientation and Materials Distribution: November 2-6, 2026
• Panelist review period & Site Visits: November 9 – January 1, 2027
• Review panel meeting: January 4-8, 2027
• UA Board Approval: January 2027
• Award notification & Grant agreements: January 2027
• Project period: February 2027 – August 2028

Site Control

• Owned Facilities: Provide documentation demonstrating ownership of the facility.
• Leased Facilities: Provide a copy of the current lease agreement and a letter from the property owner supporting the proposed project and acknowledging the proposed use of grant funds. Applicants may be required to demonstrate that the lease term is sufficient for the useful life and public benefit of the proposed investment.

Eligible and Ineligible Expenses

• Eligible: Construction labor and materials; repair or replacement of facility systems; ADA accessibility and code compliance improvements; permanent or facility-related furniture, fixtures and equipment; design, engineering, permitting, and related soft costs; project-specific professional services, contractor services, vendor services, and installation costs.
• Ineligible: Acquisition of land; acquisition of buildings.

Contact Information

• Program information and questions: Elyse Jardine, Sr. Director of Community Outreach, [email protected], 407-790-7844
• Outreach Department: [email protected]
• Grant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=unitedarts