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Miami-Dade Announces 2026–2027 Spring Cultural Grants Deadlines and Programs

The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs has released guidelines and application deadlines for the 2026–2027 spring cycle of its arts and cultural grant programs, opening funding opportunities for nonprofit cultural organizations and individual artists throughout Miami-Dade County.



Grant guidelines detailing eligibility, funding requests and program criteria are available on the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs website under the grants sections for organizations and artists. Applicants may also request guidelines by phone or email from the Department of Cultural Affairs.


Applications and required documentation for most programs must be submitted through the department’s online grants management platform SurveyMonkey Apply, while individual artist programs may also use Submittable. The online systems allow applicants to submit forms, track supporting documents and generate reports.


Grant Programs for Organizations


Several annual operating support and project-based programs are available to nonprofit cultural organizations based in Miami-Dade County, each with specific deadlines and eligibility requirements.



The Michael Spring Major Cultural Institutions Grant Program (MCI) provides general operating support to fully professional institutions with year-round programming and substantial annual fiscal operations in Miami-Dade County.


Application Deadline: March 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.


The Cultural Advancement Grant Program (ADV) offers general operating support and technical assistance to a designated group of mid to large-size, artistically excellent and culturally diverse performing, visual, literary and presenting arts organizations in Miami-Dade County.


Courtesy Review Deadline: March 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; Final Application Deadline: March 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.


The Cultural Development Grant Program (CDG) provides operating support and technical assistance to mid-sized, artistically accomplished and culturally diverse organizations that are helping define Miami’s cultural voice. Applicants must demonstrate an average organizational budget of at least $250,000 over the prior two years.


Courtesy Review Deadline: April 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; Final Application Deadline: April 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.


The Developing Arts in Neighborhoods Grant Program (DAN) supports small and developing cultural groups with annual organizational budgets under $100,000 that produce year-round cultural activities at the grassroots level, including in underserved neighborhoods and special populations. Applicants must show at least a two-year record of year-round programming.


Courtesy Review Deadline: April 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; Final Application Deadline: April 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.


The Festivals and Special Events Grant Program (FEST) funds nonprofit organizations that present major annual festivals and special events with established reputations for excellence and the ability to attract regional, national or international visitors, enhancing Miami-Dade County’s image as a cultural destination.


Courtesy Review Deadline: March 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; Final Application Deadline: March 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.


The Hannibal Cox, Jr. Cultural Grant Program (HCJ) provides operating support to small and mid-sized semi-professional and professional cultural organizations whose primary mission is the year-round creation, presentation, exhibition or performance of arts activities. Eligible applicants generally have prior-year organizational budgets between $100,000 and $250,000.


Courtesy Review Deadline: March 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; Final Application Deadline: March 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

  1. Youth Arts Programs


  • The Youth Arts Miami Grant Program (YAM) offers operating support to nonprofit youth arts organizations with a year-round presence in Miami-Dade County whose primary mission is to create, present or exhibit cultural programs for or with children and youth. Applicants must show at least three consecutive years of year-round youth arts programming in the county.


Courtesy Review Deadline: March 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; Final Application Deadline: March 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

  • The Youth Arts Enrichment Grant Program (YEP) supports nonprofit organizations that provide cultural arts outreach programs for children and families across Miami-Dade County, including arts instruction, arts intervention, healing and expressive arts, in-school performances and public performances or exhibitions.


Courtesy Review Deadline: March 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; Final Application Deadline: March 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

  1. Project-Based Programs


  • The Audience Access Grant Program (AUD) provides funding on a rolling basis to help organizations cover the costs of ADA and accessibility services such as American Sign Language interpretation, captioning, audio description, accessible materials and related training, ensuring program access for audiences of all abilities. The program does not support construction, renovation or major equipment purchases.


  • The Capital Development Grant Program (CAP) supports nonprofit cultural organizations undertaking capital improvement projects that expand, renovate, construct or equip cultural facilities in Miami-Dade County. Eligible projects aim to increase public service and access, improve exhibition or performance spaces and make facilities more efficient and fully ADA accessible.


Application Deadline: April 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

  • The International Cultural Partnerships Grant Program (ICP) offers grants to Miami-Dade County-based professional cultural organizations for artistic exchanges, partnerships and collaborations with artists and arts professionals abroad. The program seeks to elevate Miami-Dade County’s international profile and support local artists as they engage in significant cross-border cultural work.


Courtesy Review Deadline: April 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.; Final Application Deadline: April 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

  1. Grant Programs for Individual Artists


  • The Miami Individual Artists Grant Program (MIA) provides merit-based awards to early-, mid- and advanced-career artists across all disciplines in Miami-Dade County, recognizing their contributions to the cultural community and supporting their artistic development and practice.


Application Deadline: March 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

  1. The Artist Access Grant Program (ART)


    The Artist Access Grant Program (ART) assists practicing professional artists in any discipline who reside in Miami-Dade County to pursue professional development and skill-building opportunities that can demonstrably advance their careers. Eligible uses include specialized workshops, artist residencies, technique classes with master artists, conferences, teaching artist training and arts leadership training, in person or virtual. Project-oriented presentations, degree or certificate programs, student-led opportunities and touring engagements are not eligible, nor are costs related to presenting exhibits or performances. Artists who receive an award must observe a one-year wait period before reapplying to the Artist Access program.


    Summer Application Deadline (for opportunities taking place between June 1 and September 30): June 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.


The Dance Miami Choreographers' Grant Program (DMC) offers non-matching awards of $10,000 on a competitive basis to support the artistic development of Miami-Dade County-based professional choreographers creating new work in any dance form, including modern, ballet and folk. Choreographers with an established body of work are invited to submit work samples for review by a national panel. Awards are taxable, and recipients are encouraged to consult a tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service regarding any tax liability. A pre-application consultation is required for DMC applicants and can be arranged by contacting the program administrator directly through the program page or via email.


Application Deadline: March 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.


Six informational workshops will review program guidelines, the application form and questions. Sessions will be offered in person at the Department of Cultural Affairs Conference Room, 111 NW 1st Street, 6th floor, and via Zoom.


Workshops are scheduled for:



Attendance at a workshop is mandatory for first-time MIA applicants and strongly encouraged for all applicants due to updates to the program guidelines.


Pre-Grant Consultations


Applicants for Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs grants are required to schedule a pre-grant submission staff consultation. Applicants must first register as users of SurveyMonkey Apply or Submittable, then contact the appropriate program administrator or visit the specific program page to arrange a consultation.


Call for Grant Panelists


The Department of Cultural Affairs is also seeking volunteer grant panelists from the community to review and evaluate cultural grant applications each year. Panelists help ensure a fair and open process and contribute to the development of Miami-Dade County’s artistic and cultural sectors.


Panels include artists, arts professionals, educators, community members, business leaders and other individuals with experience or strong interest in the arts. Arts professionals as well as arts advocates and supporters are encouraged to apply.


Interested community members can apply online to complete the Grant Panelist Nomination Form.


Accessibility and Funding Conditions


Grant funding for the 2026–2027 fiscal year is contingent on approval of Miami-Dade County’s budget by the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.


Miami-Dade County complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Individuals needing program materials in accessible formats, sign language interpreters, CART or other accommodations to participate in Department of Cultural Affairs programs or meetings may request assistance in advance.


Additional details about these programs and application procedures are available on the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs website.


By ML. Photo(s)/Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs

 
 
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