Good news for the arts community in Hillsborough County: the application window for the 2026 Community Arts Impact Grant (CAIG) is now open. Nonprofit organizations focused on arts-related projects have until March 28 to seize this opportunity, with funding of up to $5,000 on the table for groups aiming to boost arts access for underserved communities in the area. Hillsborough County's announcement indicated that these grants target a spectrum of diversity, inclusive of age, geography, ethnicity, as well as programs for veterans and folks with disabilities.
The grant isn't solely about the monetary support; it also serves as a primer in grant writing for community-based organizations that are newcomers to the process or those seeking support from the county's Arts Council for the first time. Doing a significant service, the Community Arts Impact Grant-Colleges/Universities (CAIG/CU) division also caters to higher education institutions, dangling a competitive carrot with grants that reach up to $12,500.
One of the shining examples of the CAIG's influence is the Firehouse Cultural Center, which employs the grant to facilitate a “Clay Warriors” pottery workshop exclusive for veterans. Offered at no cost, these workshops span several weeks, nurturing the creation of hand-thrown pottery and guiding participants in the nuances of the potter's wheel. Beyond the artistry, the program casts a lifeline to veterans, bridging them over shared military pasts and current creative journeys, according to the Hillsborough County's recent news release.
