2026 Arts Nonprofit Grant Recipients
We are thrilled to announce the 2026 Arts Nonprofit Grant Winners!
Five amazing arts nonprofits have been selected to receive a $6,000 grant that will strengthen organizational capacity, advance artistic programming, and expand community access to the arts. This grant reflects the Community Foundation of North Florida’s belief that strong arts organizations contribute to community vitality, connection, and quality of life across the Big Bend region.
Congratulations to the grant recipients!
Artist Series of Tallahassee
Gadsden Arts
John G. Riley Center & Museum
Monticello Acting & Dance Company (MadCo)
Theatre Tallahassee
Artist Series of Tallahassee
For 31 years, the Artist Series of Tallahassee has presented a five to six concert season showcasing a diverse range of classical music performances by acclaimed ensembles and rising soloists. Through its Artist-in-Residence program, underserved and marginalized youth and seniors can experience world class professional musicians in familiar, community-based settings. Their vision is to make classical chamber music accessible to all.
Grant funds will help support artist fees for those participating in their Artist-in-Residence program. These artists will engage with the community through school outreach, a master class, a performance at a senior living community, and a public concert. Through these experiences, the Artist Series of Tallahassee aims to introduce classical chamber music to individuals who may be encountering it for the very first time.
Gadsden Arts Center & Museum
Gadsden Arts Center & Museum is a visual arts museum located in Quincy, Florida. It fosters exploration, understanding, and appreciation of the visual arts to enrich lives, bring people together, and support the community’s cultural and economic vitality. Recognizing that economic and geographic barriers can limit access to the arts, Gadsden Arts responds by offering year-round programs at low or no cost, welcoming individuals and families who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with museums or artistic experiences.
Grant funds will support Gadsden Arts’ Art for Children & Youth programming, including program design, instruction, and supplies. The organization is dedicated to connecting children and families in this rural region with world-class art in meaningful and engaging ways. These efforts help cultivate lifelong interest in the arts, encouraging families to become regular museum-goers and experience lasting enrichment.
John G. Riley Center & Museum
The mission of the John G. Riley Center and Museum is to raise awareness of the significant contributions of African Americans in Florida, promote tourism, and uncover and share the often untold stories of our past. Through programs, events, and exhibits, the museum seeks to educate, inspire, and celebrate our shared history as Floridians. It also draws on the legacy of the arts through digital storytelling, visual art, music, and interpretive installations such as diorama building.
Grant funds will support the commissioning of artists to create works inspired by the Civil Rights Movement for an exhibition. The project will also include a youth art workshop led by the commissioned artists, providing students with the opportunity to receive mentorship while learning how art can serve as a powerful tool for storytelling and self-expression.
Monticello Acting & Dance Company
The Monticello Acting & Dance Company (MadCo) is the oldest active theater group in Jefferson County and the only organization in the area offering theater, dance, and music instruction. MadCo produces musicals and plays performed at the Monticello Opera House and operates the MadCo Studio, where students receive training in dance, voice, piano, and acting. Prior to MadCo’s founding, children in Jefferson County had very limited opportunities to engage in creative activities outside of school and church.
Grant funds will support the 2026 Summer Theatre Children’s production of The Little Mermaid, Jr. Expenses such as lighting design, costumes, sets, props, and advertising are essential components of every production. This funding enables MadCo to keep ticket prices affordable, ensuring that residents of Jefferson County can access and enjoy live theatre performances.
Theatre Tallahassee
Theatre Tallahassee is a community theatre committed to enriching the cultural fabric of Florida’s Big Bend region. Its goal is to present a balanced season of plays and musicals that engage diverse audiences, expand equitable access to live theatre, and strengthen arts education for youth, adults, and seniors. The organization also serves as a collaborative cultural hub for the region. Theatre Tallahassee is supported by more than 200 volunteers and welcomes over 15,000 patrons each year.
Grant funds will support the expansion of Theatre Tallahassee’s Theatre Education Program for students in grades 6–12. The program will offer weekly instruction in acting, voice, movement, technical theatre, and stage management, culminating in a showcase each semester. Funding will also enable Theatre Tallahassee to provide scholarships, sliding-scale tuition, and transportation assistance for students attending Title I schools.