WHITE HOUSE PHOTO VIA TIMUCUA ART FOUNDATION
Arts and cultural nonprofits in Orange County have until midnight on Saturday, October 31, to apply for funding to help pay to rent a public venue for their programming.
The Orange County Venue Subsidy for Arts and Culture covers up to 50 percent of total venue rental costs, capped at $60,000, and United Arts administers the program with Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs. Funding is limited, and not all projects will be fully funded.
The subsidy is meant to help local organizations present exhibitions and performances at publicly accessible venues, giving them a stage that raises production value and expands access for audiences. The listed examples include Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, The Plaza Live, and the Orange County Convention Center (We suggest maybe spreading the love to smaller venues like Timucua’s White House, Will’s Pub, SAK Comedy Lab, or The Renaissance, where those dollars could go a little bit further).
Eligible events have to take place between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027. Organizations can apply for a season or for a single event or festival. A season that uses more than one venue requires a previous grant from United Arts or from Orange County Cultural Tourism, Facilities or Cultural Tourism Supplemental Funding.
To qualify, an applicant must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Orange County with a primary mission in the arts, science, history, or culture. It must be renting a temporary venue in Orange County for an event open to the public. Each organization is limited to one application per year, and approval in one year does not guarantee funding in later years.
The program covers short-term venue rental and related charges billed by the venue, such as security, stagehands, sound and lighting engineers, ushers, and custodial services, as long as they are itemized in the venue quote. Artists, staff, and other programming costs are not covered.
Applicants need a formal venue quote with confirmed dates. There is no review panel. United Arts staff check eligibility and the venue quote, and awards are made as a percentage of eligible requests based on available funds. Priority goes to groups serving underserved communities or appealing to diverse audiences, and partnerships with other arts organizations are encouraged.
The last day to send questions to staff is Monday, October 26, at 5 p.m. Questions can go to Sarah Babbage, outreach program officer, at SarahB@UnitedArtsCFL.org.
For full guidelines and to apply, click HERE.
