Duval Times

The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville (CCGJ), in partnership with the City of Jacksonville, has announced a new grant program aimed at supporting local individual working artists in Duval County. “The Artist Grant Program: Operational Grants for Individual Artists” is city-funded through the Cultural Council and marks a first for Jacksonville.

As the city's official Local Arts Agency (LAA) by city ordinance, the Cultural Council is a leading cultural organization in Northeast Florida. The establishment of this new Artist Grant Program leverages the Cultural Council's extensive 30-year partnership with the city and its deep knowledge of the cultural sector. This investment aims to enrich the creative sector and provide an economic ripple effect to all residents and businesses in Jacksonville. The Cultural Council currently manages the Cultural Service Grant Program, which provides approximately $114 million in creative economic impact to the city.

The Artist Grant Program was developed in collaboration with one of the Mayor’s Transition Committees, the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (ACE) Committee, and the City of Jacksonville. The inaugural program aims to invigorate and support the artist sector in Duval County while establishing a framework that enhances the local economy.

“Arts and culture have been a priority to my administration since the get-go,” said City of Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “It's no secret that Jacksonville is brimming with talent and creativity, so we are excited to be able to further support our artists - who truly exemplify the creative heart and soul of our city. Through this new program, Jacksonville-based creatives will have an even greater support system to help them develop and showcase their talents, build a larger audience, and succeed financially. And ultimately, I hope that it will encourage them to stay here and continue to share their talents with us.”

“As champions for Jacksonville’s creative sector and vibrant cultural landscape, we believe in the transformative power of arts and culture, mutually enhancing economic growth and quality of life for our city,” said Diana Donovan, Executive Director of CCGJ. “As we leveraged national best practices, we anticipate this program will ignite Duval County’s creative economy while trailblazing Jacksonville as a city that acquires and retains creative talent through professional development and intentional capacity building. The Artist Grant Program will ensure that Jacksonville becomes the place for talented creatives to live, work, play, and stay.”

Sixty grants of $10,000 each will be awarded in the pilot program’s inaugural year, totaling $600,000 in direct grants for artists across multiple disciplines. A review panel comprising two professional artists, two community members, two Cultural Council board members, and a chair will evaluate all applications based on artistry knowledge, government compliance expertise, fiscal responsibility understanding, and familiarity with city grants. The grant awards will be announced by CCGJ by the end of 2024.

The program is designed to assist practicing professional artists residing in Duval County across any medium or discipline. It also includes creative entrepreneurs such as curators, producers, and presenters who work directly with individual artists. In addition to grants, workshops on grant writing processes will be provided along with coaching sessions through September 30th 2025.

Applications open on July 29th and close August 30th 2024. For more information on this program visit culturalcouncil.org/artistgrant.

About CCGJ: Founded 50 years ago as a private not-for-profit organization designated as LAA by ordinance for Jacksonville; CCGJ aims at enriching life through arts & culture investment providing services igniting creative economy addressing ever-changing needs within arts/cultural sectors & broader community learn more at culturalcouncil.org.

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