09/23/2026
The state's second round of arts funding awards just came out — and no Collier County organization is on it.
That closes the book on this year's $20 million pool. Our county's entire share was decided back in June: $573,820 to five incredible and deserving organizations. United Arts Collier and eight other Collier organizations that applied received nothing this round. That's less money for the arts that would have stimulated additional economic activity and state taxes here. For every dollar the state invests in arts grants, they generate double in just state taxes alone and a return of 1:9 in economic activity.
UAC scored 99 out of 100 — the highest of any Collier applicant, and 13th out of 563 organizations statewide. But a strong score wasn't enough this year. Not one Local Arts Agency in Florida was funded, regardless of score.
That said we are pleased to congratulate, those who did: Artis—Naples, Gulfshore Playhouse, Marco Island Center for the Arts, Naples Concert Band, and The Naples Players. This is well earned, and it benefits all of us through what that funding brings to Collier's arts community and infuses back into our county at large.
And now, an honest ask: the programming, classrooms, and free community events our local arts organizations deliver all year are resting on local support. Ours, and yours.
If you've been waiting for the moment your giving matters most — this is it. Come be part of something beautiful. 💙
All the Arts for All of Collier.
Donate to UAC or any of our member organizations effected by this decision: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z98Kr_Dd0wy8hy0TkpocvCZ6FWwqJIZI/edit?usp=sharing
Division of Arts and Culture — https://dos.fl.gov/cultural/grants/grant-resources/grant-awards-recommendations/2026-2027-awards-by-county/
