The Application Portal for the 2023-2024 Grants will Open Saturday, April 1, 2023
The deadline for Application is Friday, June 2, 2023
About MCA’s Cultural Grants
A key element of MCA’s mission is supporting local arts organizations with direct funding. Cultural grants are an important means to promote excellence in the creative sector and the cornerstone of MCA’s fund-raising efforts.
The Cultural Endowment Fund was established in 2001 and was initially funded with proceeds from our community’s first ever public art initiative – Horse Fever. To date, $440,000 has been awarded to more than 38 different nonprofit art organizations. These dollars have supported more than 135 art initiatives including programming, equipment, and initiatives; and has impacted more than 325,000 individuals including seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, students, and artists.
Congratulations to the recipients of MCA’s 2022-2023 Cultural Grants.. MCA is proud to support these organizations through its annual competitive grant process.
Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band: Veterans Light the Stars ($2,500)
The Appleton Museum of Art: Free First Fridays ($5,000)
The Reilly Arts Center: Chris Botte-Live in Concert ($5,000)
Ocala Symphony Orchestra: “Youthful Renderings” Performance Featuring the Winners of the 2023 Young Artists Competition ($5,000)
The Ocala Civic Theatre: Lit Light-Illuminating Story Telling ($5,000)
Marion Civic Chorale: Veterans Day Programs ($2,000)
Applicants must be an Arts Organization MCA member at the time of application.
Interested in becoming an Arts Organization Member?
The Grant Process
Each spring, MCA announces the release of the Cultural Grant Criteria and Application to the nonprofit arts community. Ocala/Marion County arts nonprofit organizations are awarded grants to enhance, expand, or support their artistic or cultural endeavors.
Cultural Grants are available for all artistic disciplines, including: music, theater, dance, visual arts, cinema, literary arts, folk arts, and photography. Historical and scientific museums may also apply.
A committee of community volunteers, chaired by an MCA Board member, evaluates and scores each grant utilizing the criteria provided by the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs. Following the evaluation and scoring process, the committee’s recommendations are reviewed by MCA & the Executive Committee, and presented to the Board for final review and approval.
Each art organization approved by the MCA board for funding, will be notified following the August meeting of the Board. The grants are formally awarded with a check presentation at Applaud the Arts, MCA’s annual showcase and celebration of the arts.
To apply, organizations must submit the required contents, electronically, by 5 pm on Friday, June 2, 2023. A final report is due no later than sixty (60) days after grant activity is completed.
Are You a Recipient of a Cultural Grant?
MCA requests that you use this logo to acknowledge our support.
Please include it in your programs and/or signage.
