Miami-Dade Announces New Arts Grants, Calls for Artists, Jobs and Resources for 2026
- Miami Living AI
- 21 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs has announced a series of 2026 funding opportunities, artist calls, workshops, jobs and free marketing initiatives for artists, cultural organizations, nonprofit groups and small businesses across the county.
Artist Access Grants
The Artist Access (ART) Grant Program is funded by Miami-Dade County in partnership with FUNDarte and is designed to help practicing, professional artists in any medium or discipline who reside in Miami-Dade County pursue opportunities that will clearly advance their artistic practice and careers.
Eligible opportunities include artistic professional development and skill-building experiences such as specialized workshops, artist residencies, technique classes with master artists, conferences, teaching artist training, arts leadership training and other non-credit learning opportunities, either in person or virtual. Applicants must explain how the timing, potential and impact of the proposed opportunity will move their careers forward.
For the spring cycle, the application deadline is January 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Community Grants Program
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs’ Community Grants Program is a quarterly funding program for nonprofit organizations developing small to medium-scale community-based cultural programs, projects and events, including fairs, parades, neighborhood festivals, conferences and publications.
For the FY 2025–2026 fourth quarter cycle, a virtual pre-submission workshop will be held on January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Prospective applicants can RSVP here to attend the workshop.
The courtesy review deadline for this quarter is February 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., and the final application deadline is February 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Tourist Development Grants
The Tourist Development Grants Program (TDC) is a quarterly program that supports significant cultural and special events, including sports activities and television or film origination projects, that promote Miami-Dade County as a tourist destination. Funded activities must stimulate tourism and provide significant media impact for the county.
For FY 2025–2026 third quarter funding, the courtesy review deadline is January 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., with an application deadline of January 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
For the fourth quarter, a pre-submission workshop will take place on March 11, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., followed by a courtesy review deadline on April 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. and a final application deadline on April 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Interested applicants may RSVP online to attend the TDC pre-submission workshop.
Cultural Grants Workshop
The Department is offering a virtual Cultural Grants Workshop for arts groups, artists and nonprofit community organizations seeking funding for cultural projects.
The free workshop will be held virtually via Zoom on Monday, February 23, at 2:00 p.m. and will provide an overview of how to access Miami-Dade County cultural grants.
Participants can RSVP online to receive access details.
Arts groups, cultural organizations, community nonprofit organizations, individual artists and artist collectives are encouraged to attend, along with municipalities, social service organizations, colleges and universities that may be eligible for funding. Staff from the Department will explain competitive funding programs and other resources available to the cultural community.
Art projects are especially encouraged if they demonstrate strong community involvement, include outreach that promotes inclusion and equitable access to the arts, deliver cultural services to underserved populations or under-resourced neighborhoods, generate tourism, support indigenous cultural activities, preserve heritage, traditions and culture, or involve collaborations between social service organizations and cultural groups using the arts.
The session will include an interactive question-and-answer segment with questions addressed in English, Spanish or Haitian Creole, and ADA-accessible accommodations are available.
PortMiami Public Art Call
Through the Art in Public Places Program and Miami-Dade County Seaport at PortMiami, the Department has issued a Call to Artists for new artworks at the renovated and expanded Terminal G at PortMiami, in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, Lemartec/NV2A Joint Venture, and Perez & Perez Architects Planners, Inc.
The request for qualifications is open to professional visual artists based in the United States. The total budget is $3,200,000, with multiple commissions envisioned. Selected artists will be invited to develop full proposals for unique artwork applications that help define the facility’s identity and engage employees, visitors and passers-by. Shortlisted artists will receive a proposal honorarium and support to prepare their concepts.
The deadline to submit qualifications is Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Artists can apply online through the Art in Public Places portal.
Golden Ticket Arts Guide
The 2026 Golden Ticket Arts Guide is now available online, offering free admission for seniors to a wide variety of cultural venues, holiday events, festivals and performances throughout Miami-Dade County.
Users can search Golden Ticket listings by month, explore ongoing events and check regularly for new last-minute opportunities added throughout the year.
Seniors can search offers and print coupons directly from the website.
To receive a printed guide by mail, residents can join the mailing list online.
Cultural partners may submit new last-minute offers through the Golden Ticket portal by adding events for consideration.
Cultural Affairs Job Openings
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs is advertising several positions at county cultural venues.
At Miami-Dade County Auditorium, the Cultural Affairs Building Manager position is open, with a closing date of Tuesday, December 16.
The Marshall L. Davis Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center is recruiting a part-time Cultural Affairs Instructor (Dance) and a full-time Cultural Affairs Instructor (Music), both with closing dates of Tuesday, December 16.
The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center is seeking a Cultural Affairs Maintenance Repairer and a Cultural Affairs Theater Box Office Manager, each with a closing date of Tuesday, December 16.
Jobs with Cultural Organizations
Among cultural organizations, Vocal Youth Miami is hiring for a Development Director and a Development Manager, with both positions scheduled to close on Tuesday, December 31.
Additional details and application instructions for all openings are available through the Department’s employment listings.
Cultural Resource Directory
The Department has launched the online Miami-Dade County Cultural Resource Directory to connect arts organizations with each other and with the public.
Through the directory, organizations can locate potential cultural partners, contact information and useful resources, while residents and visitors can easily find cultural experiences in neighborhoods throughout Miami-Dade County.
To participate and be listed, organizations should complete the online registration form available on the directory website. All entries are subject to editing and approval by the Department.
Strive305 Easy Perks
Through the county’s STRIVE305 initiative, small businesses and creatives can access resources via the Strive305 Hub, an online entrepreneurship platform that provides information on programs and services available from Miami-Dade County and its partners.
Strive305 is partnering with Miami-Dade Transit’s Easy Perks program to offer free marketing opportunities for local creatives and small businesses. Participating businesses can promote their work on digital screens across Metrobus, Metrorail and Metromover systems, gaining visibility in high-traffic areas, and receive additional exposure through Miami-Dade Transit’s social media channels.
Easy Perks is intended to boost rider morale while raising awareness of local enterprises and their exclusive deals, connecting transit riders to neighborhood businesses and driving foot traffic.
More information about this opportunity is available on the Strive305 website, where businesses can learn more about participating in Easy Perks.