Community Arts Grants

The Hernando County Utilities Department commissioned a beautiful new mural by local artist, Beth Warmath, as part of their 2024 Community Art Grant project. theme This mural project celebrates the Springs our area is known for, and aims to bring awareness to the wonderful arts we have here and all-around Hernando County.

In 2024, the Black Educators' Caucus used a Community Arts Grant to commission a new mural, titled Black Women Pioneers of Hernando County. This mural was painted by local artist, Jacquelynne Harris, and features nine champions of our community - Lucille Ballard, Blanche Cambric, Irene Edwards, Luevenia Inmon, Hazel Land Esq., Minister Snell, Karen Washington, and Annie Williams.

In 2024, Frederick Kelly Elks Lodge #1270 added a new mural to their building of John & Belle Floyd. Mr. JD Floyd was a lifelong fighter for equal rights for all people and quality education for children. He had a special love for South Brooksville, serving as the Principal of Moton Elementary School, the only school Black people were able to attend during segregation. He and his wife were also members of Frederick Kelly Elks Lodge #1270. Lakeema Matthew is the artist.

The Suncoast Harmony Chorus, the local chapter of Sweet Adelines International, offers a capella concerts across Hernando County. They have received several Community Arts Grants to continuously enhance their music repertoire with the purchase of new music and learning tracks, keeping performances for Hernando County residents fresh and exciting.

The AAC received their first Community Arts Grant in 2023 for their “Poetry and the Arts” program. About 50 kids were reached with this 6-week program, learning about different arts mediums including photography, poetry, and painting. Some of these kids had never been exposed to the arts before, and found their hidden talent! There was a showcase of the finished works at Antioch Church in Spring Hill.

In early January 2024, Hernando Beach Property Owners Association unveiled the newest public art project in Hernando County! Next time you are in Hernando Beach, be sure to check out the eight new pole banners which each feature coastal artwork by different local artists based in Hernando Beach - Vicky Yeager, Diane Ziemski, Steven Benevides, and Brian Kelly.

Suzuki Strings is a local nonprofit that provides violin and cello lessons for people aged 2 - 99. In 2023, they used a recent Community Arts Grant to hire advanced music instructors and provide training opportunities for existing instructors, allowing the ability to offer more affordable music lessons to community members who are otherwise marginalized.

The Hernando County Library received a Community Arts Grant for three years for their “Art Attack” program - which provides free art workshops for kids, adults, and families at all four branches in Hernando County.

Stir Up the Gift has received a few grants over the years to develop the talents of singing, dancing, acting, and music and provide opportunities for students to showcase these talents. Most recently was their “Specially Art” program, which featured art instruction from drawing to crafting to watercolor painting.

“The Specially Art program gives students the rare opportunity to discover and hone their highly individualized artistic talents. Many times, these kids and their parents had no idea that they had these talents!”

In the park formerly known as Kennedy Park and recently renamed Coach Lorenzo Hamilton Sr. Park, Lifeline University donated a mural that was painted by local artist, Lakeema Matthew AKA Keemba, and funded by the Hernando County Arts Council through our Community Arts Grant program!

In 2021, the Brooksville location of Hernando County Library used grant funds to hire local artists, Renatta Villamire and Nancy Barry to create these stunning murals for locals and library lovers to enjoy. The murals can be viewed at 238 Howell Avenue in the terrace area in downtown Brooksville.

In 2023, the Frederick Kelly Elks Lodge #1270 used grant funds to create a mural in honor of the Honorable Frankie Burnett, who was the first Black mayor of Brooksville who was also born and raised in South Brooksville.

The mural was painted by local artist, Solomon Gavin, who was also raised in South Brooksville and received a grant from the Elks Lodge to attend art school back in the 80s.

The Hernando County Library System has received grants in 2022 and 2023 to support their “Art Attack” program.

The “Art Attack” program provides free art workshops for the community, with programs for kid, adults, and families. All four of the Hernando County library system’s branches participate in this program!

In 2021, the Arts Council awarded the Rotary Club of Spring Hill Florida with a $1,000 grant for a Student Activity Inclusivity Mural at Springstead High School! Over 50 students in the Interact Club collaborated on a series of six murals, displaying teamwork and commitment week after week!

As reported in the Hernando Sun, “Chapters Health Foundation and Hernando Pasco Hospice applied their $950 Community Arts Grant last year to buy art supplies for a new program that serves grieving children. Through their art workshops, conducted throughout the year, and a special summer camp session, children coping with profound loss learn to explore and deal with their feelings, fostering both creativity and healthy coping skills.

“This is an opportunity to use art therapy to help children through their grief journey,” explained Andrea Arflack, Director of Philanthropy at Chapters Health Foundation, in support of HPH Hospice. “These programs are offered free of charge to children in the community that have suffered their loss, whether their lost loved one was served through hospice or not.”

Miss Ali’s Art Class is an after-school art program welcoming both neurotypical and individuals with special needs in Hernando County, Florida. The program is open to individuals ages 4-20.

The Hernando County Fine Arts Council was proud to sponsor Miss Ali’s Art Class in 2023 with a Community Art Grant!

In 2021, HBPOA applied for a grant to design, craft, and erect a new sign for our community. Hernando Beach’s very own artist, Linda Tartaglione, designed and crafted the sign to illustrate a welcome message inviting all to enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, diving, and more, all meticulously hand cut from wood.

The Live Oak Theatre has been a recipient of the Community Arts Grant a few times. Once, funding was used for two new microphones that are utilized in every production! Every cast member uses a microphone.

The Historic Hernando Preservation Society received a grant in 2020, and hired local artist, Sue Beach, to create a watercolor painting of the Hernando Courthouse, and sold posters (printed by Roots Creative Co).

This project showcases both local arts and architecture, while benefitting several local nonprofits, artists, and small businesses in our community.