Miami-Dade Arts Programs Announce New Grants, Residencies, and Resources for 2026–2027
Miami-Dade County’s arts sector is opening new opportunities for emerging arts leaders, cultural organizations, and individual artists, with a slate of advocacy trainings, grant programs, residencies, and community events scheduled through late 2027.
Emerging Arts Leaders Host Advocacy Training in October
The Miami Emerging Arts Leaders program will present an online session titled Arts Advocacy 101: Exploring the Purpose and Power of Advocacy on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The webinar, offered as a free virtual event on Zoom, will examine how cultural workers in Florida can advocate for increased state investment in artists and cultural organizations and for a state arts budget that supports equitable access to cultural grants.
The session features Jennifer Jones, president and CEO of the Florida Cultural Alliance, and Ashlee K. Thomas, director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, alongside Miami Emerging Arts Leaders. Topics will include the purpose and power of advocacy, practical tips on advocating effectively, and advocacy as a core skill for emerging arts leaders.
Advance registration is required by Wednesday, October 28. Register here to attend the advocacy webinar.
Information about the Miami Emerging Arts Leaders program is available on the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs website at Miami-Dade Arts.
Quarterly Grants and Summer Programs Support Cultural Organizations
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs has opened its FY 2026–2027 Community Grants Program, a quarterly funding initiative for nonprofit organizations producing small to medium-scale community-based cultural projects. Eligible activities include neighborhood festivals, fairs, parades, conferences, and publications.
For the third-quarter cycle, an online workshop will take place on November 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM to guide applicants through the process. Courtesy reviews are due November 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM, and final applications are due December 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Prospective applicants can RSVP online for the grants workshop.
An Introduction to Miami-Dade County Arts Grants workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM via Zoom for arts groups, cultural organizations, community nonprofits, individual artists, and artist collectives. The session provides an overview of the county’s arts funding portfolio and includes an interactive question-and-answer segment in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
Participants will learn which programs best align with their projects, with emphasis on initiatives that demonstrate community involvement, broaden access to the arts, serve underserved populations, support heritage and cultural preservation, encourage tourism, and foster collaborations between cultural and social service organizations.
Registration is available through the Zoom workshop page.
The department is also accepting applications for the FY 2026–2027 Summer Arts & Science Camps for Kids (SAS-C) Grants Program, which supports nonprofit organizations that expand access to arts and science summer camps for underserved children in Miami-Dade County. Organizations may request up to $40,000 in funding.
Courtesy reviews for SAS-C applications are due Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM, and complete applications are due Friday, November 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Details and guidelines are posted on the county’s Summer Arts & Science Camps page.
Residencies and Emergency Funds Available for Artists and Dancers
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is accepting applications for its inaugural Vizcaya Arts Residency + Commission, part of the Vizcaya Contemporary Arts Program (CAP). The opportunity is open to South Florida-based artists working in any discipline and will support the development of a site-specific commission at Vizcaya Village from May through November 2027.
The selected artist will receive a $12,500 artist fee, a production budget of up to $25,000, and dedicated studio space. The residency will culminate in an exhibition in Vizcaya’s Main House, on view from November 2027 through May 2028. Applications are due Monday, November 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Eligibility criteria and application instructions are available on the Vizcaya Museum website.
Nationwide, the New York Foundation for the Arts, in partnership with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, continues to offer Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants of up to $5,000 for artists facing unexpected medical, dental, or mental health expenses and Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants of up to $3,000 for professional dancers who have lost income.
For the current cycles, applications for Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants are due Tuesday, November 17, 2026, with the cycle opening October 20, and applications for Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants are due Tuesday, December 8, 2026, with the cycle opening November 10.
Eligibility and application details can be found on the NYFA website.
New Cultural Resources and Community Programs for 2027
The 2027 Golden Ticket Arts Guide is now available online, offering Miami-Dade County residents aged 62 and older free access to cultural events across the county. The digital edition, published in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, lists performances, festivals, and special events from October 1, 2026, through November 30, 2027.
A print edition covering December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2027, will be mailed to current subscribers and distributed at Miami-Dade County libraries and select locations. Seniors can join the Golden Ticket mailing list to receive updates.
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is inviting eligible attractions, museums, and experience-based partners to participate in its 2026–2027 Digital Co-op Advertising Program. The initiative offers four-week digital advertising campaigns with dollar-for-dollar matching funds and participation levels ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, for total campaign values of up to $8,000.
Information about the program and Miami’s cultural offerings is available on the Miami and Beaches site.
Artists, creative professionals, and nonprofit organizations can access free legal consultations through the Legal Clinic for Creatives, presented by the Arts & Business Council of Miami and Dade Legal Aid on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Vizcaya Village in Miami. Attorneys will advise on contracts, copyright, trademarks, intellectual property, business formation, and labor law.
Registration for the clinic is available via Eventbrite.
Families are invited to Arts for Wellness Family Day, part of the All Kids Included initiative, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Pinecrest Gardens. The inclusive event will feature interactive expressive arts and healing activities focused on creativity, self-expression, and well-being.
The first 250 visitors will receive free admission, and while supplies last, families may receive a complimentary copy of “The Invisible Boy” by Trudy Ludwig, which serves as the inspiration book for the 2027 All Kids Included Student Art Showcase. Additional details are available on the All Kids Included website.
The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center will open its 2026–2027 season with the annual Backyard Bash Season Kickoff Concert on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The free outdoor event will feature live music by The Legendary Wailers with special guest Third World and invites attendees to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Admission is free, but tickets are limited. Event and venue information is available on the Moss Center website.