Making Waves, Holding Ground

Amid cuts and climate crises, Creative Pinellas opens $106,000 in artist grants for 2025–26

by Avery Anderson

Arts funding in Florida has seen better days. State-level support has all but evaporated, hurricane recovery programs have been scaled back, and for many working artists, just keeping the lights on feels like a win. So when Creative Pinellas announced this year’s individual artist grants—totaling $106,000—it wasn’t cause for fireworks. But it was a reason to keep going.

The 2025–26 grant cycle features two funding opportunities: the Ignite Fund, a $500 microgrant for practical needs, and the Impact Fund, which awards up to $10,000 for public-facing projects with an environmental focus. A total of 21 artists will be funded through the Impact Fund, while 10 artists will be supported through the Ignite Fund.

This year’s Impact Fund projects will align with Creative Pinellas' Making Waves theme, inspired by the challenges faced by Pinellas County during the 2024 hurricane season. As Creative Pinellas CEO Margaret Murray shared during the recent info session, “Without artists, we won’t be able to respect the environment we have.” The Making Waves theme emphasizes the urgency of climate-focused creative work, encouraging artists to take the lead in addressing environmental issues through their public-facing projects.

Making Waves: Art in the Eye of the Storm

Making Waves, the 2025–26 centerpiece initiative, invites artists to create work that explores the environment through any medium—visual art, performance, music, film, or writing. Projects will be presented across Pinellas County in April and May 2026, and Creative Pinellas hopes to draw 30,000 to 40,000 people to the events.

The goal isn’t just awareness—it’s connection. Artists will work directly with county parks and local spaces to root their work in the community. Whether the final project is an outdoor installation, a climate soundscape, or an immersive performance under the stars, it must speak to the place it comes from.

Two Funds, Real Help

Ignite Fund

• 10 artists
• Up to $500 each
• For gaps, upgrades, or small ideas that need a nudge
• Ideal for: software, tools, supplies, or short-term creative boosts

Impact Fund

• 21 artists
• Grants from $3,000 to $10,000
• Must include a public presentation during Making Waves
• Funding breakdown:
  • 1 at $10,000
  • 2 at $7,000
  • 13 at $5,000
  • 4 at $3,000

Total Investment: $106,000

Last year, Creative Pinellas awarded over $100K through similar programs, including hurricane relief grants and the first round of Ignite funding. This year’s cycle holds steady—and offers some thematic cohesion around a problem that’s not going away anytime soon.

Timeline at a Glance

Who’s Eligible?

• Individual artists (18+) who live in Pinellas County at least 6 months a year
• Applicants can only lead one application (Impact or Ignite)
• Projects must be presented in Pinellas County
• Work can be one-time or ongoing; inside or outside
• You can note additional fundraising plans in your application

Why It Matters

Look, a $500 Ignite grant probably isn’t going to fund your magnum opus. And even $10,000 won’t cover the true cost of most large-scale productions. But in a climate of disappearing opportunities, any investment in artists is worth paying attention to.

These aren’t just grants—they’re a way to hold ground, tell stories, and bring people together in the places we call home.