The Funding Futures Guidelines and Policies
The purpose of Funding Futures is to encourage, support, and nurture students who are interested in the arts and may choose to pursue a career in this field. The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance focuses on elevating future artists by helping to build the next generation of creativity and innovation. Funding Futures grants give school-age children, ages 10 to 17, with financial needs the opportunity to attend an arts summer program in St. Petersburg.
Each arts organization can receive grants of up to $2000, depending on its impact, program, and goals. We accept individual applications from students and art organizations that will seek attendees directly. All funds will be distributed directly to the arts organization.
Funding Futures Timeline
- Selection Date: May 13, 2024
- Grant Starts: May 26, 2024
- Grant Closes: When all funds are gone.
Eligibility to apply to the Funding Futures Program:
Youth living in Pinellas County between the ages of 10 and 17 may be eligible for the Funding Futures Program if any of the following applies:
- Students must live in Pinellas County.
- *Receive free or reduced school lunch.
- *Go to a Title 1 School. (Use the link to review Title 1 Schools for eligibility: www.pcsb.org)
- Receive financial hardship tuition or scholarship.
- Attend a “transitional” or “transformational” school, according to the Pinellas County Board of Education, or an Individual Education Program (IEP) with Pinellas County Schools (www.pcsb.org) and are over 17.
- *Live in a group home or foster care.
- Live in a “transitional” housing situation. (About transitional housing: what-is-a-transitional-house)
- *In the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
- Receive aid through EBT or WIC.
Grant applications and eligibility does not guarantee a grant. Restrictions and funding availability may apply. * Families with demonstrated financial need may be required to provide proof of one of the following documents.
Funding categories:
- Visual Arts (of all kinds)
- Performance (including choreography, dance, music, voice, etc.)
- Theater Creation (acting, musical, etc.)
- Media Arts (film, photography, digital arts)
- Music (music of all kinds, including jazz, choral, and composition)
- Literature (poetry, fiction and non-fiction)
Guidelines
Statement of Interest from Student and Parent/Guardian
- Why are you interested in a Funding Futures Grant, and how will you use the funds? i.e., dance, ballet, instruments, theater, etc.
- What arts program or organization would you like to attend?
- How would attending an arts program benefit you in the future? Teens, in your own words, tell us why you are interested in continuing your arts education. Parents of young children, tell us why your child is interested in continuing their arts education.
- Click the St. Pete Summer Camp Providers link to see the participating providers). If your camp is not listed, add the camp name you are interested in attending. (SPAA will confirm eligibility.) All camps must be eligible for the program.
a. Name the type of camp you would like to attend, e.g., dance, visual arts, etc.
b. Dates of the camp session you have selected.
c. Cost of the camp session. - Proof of residency ready to upload (e.g., Florida driver's license or FL Identification Card, Voter’s ID/Card, utility bill, etc.)
Student Requirements:
1. A Letter of Recommendation is required. Recommendations can come from a teacher, counselor, minister or pastor, a mentor, or a previous arts camp.
2. Signed Agreement
a. A signed permission form is required to promote and document the program. Additional promotions may require, press releases, photos to use a student's image, publications, interviews, and audio or video created during the grant funding period.
3. Reporting
a. Within 30 days of the program completion, students, parents, and camp providers must submit a post-grant report detailing their experience. The report will detail the project outcome, experience, and activities during the grant period.
Presented by Reflection St. Pete, the SHINE Mural Festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary, November 8-17, 2024, with stunning large-scale murals and special events recognizing the transformative power of a decade of public art. Join us in a community-wide event honoring the impact of mural art and artists in St. Pete.
About SHINE®
The annual SHINE® St. Petersburg Mural Festival illuminates the power of art in public spaces by revitalizing areas, inspiring dialogue, and uniting our community—while cultivating new standards of artistic excellence reflecting St. Petersburg's creative and vibrant spirit. By using the walls and streets as canvas, SHINE transforms our shared spaces into a world-class outdoor gallery featuring top contemporary local, national, and international artists. Produced by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, SHINE has created nearly 170 murals throughout downtown and the surrounding arts districts since 2015.
The SHINE® Mural Festival is an event of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, a non-profit, 501 (c)3 dedicated to advocating for the arts and driving arts-related economic impact. We rely on your support to continue producing this world-class event. To make a donation, click here.
Find SHINE®
The SHINE® Mural Festival is the first in the world to have an accessible audio tour and the technology to instantly connect mural viewers to online content via PixelStix. This interactive technology is now being used by other mural organizations nationwide.
The SHINE® Mural Festival takes place every October. Follow SHINE on Facebook & Instagram at @ShineOnStPete for event updates!
Visiting St. Pete for SHINE? Tru by Hilton is offering 20% off for SHINE Attendees! Click here to learn more.
Support SHINE®
If you’re interested in supporting St. Pete’s most vibrant event, sponsorship at all levels is still available. Please contact Jenee Priebe at jenee@stpeteartsalliance.org or visit our SHINE Sponsorship page.
VIP Tickets: SHINE 10 Celebration
SHINE® EVENTS
October 18, 5-8PM | Opening Event: SHINE 10 Year Retrospective Group Exhibition at the Morean Arts Center. See works from over 100 SHINE artists from the past decade, including work from local, national, and international artists on this year's lineup. https://www.facebook.com/share/rtGvsoxewstW98e2/
November 9, 8-11PM | SHINE 10 Celebration at FloridaRAMA. Celebrate 10 years of shine and the 10-day festival at FloridaRAMA featuring a solo show and book release by 2023 artist Chris Dyer, custom installations from 2021 artists Nicole Salgar and Ricky Watts, DJ and special performance by Woes Martin (2021) and The Mighty Giants, Giano Currie’s interactive photography experience, After Hours Photoshoot and more. The event is free and open to the public. Visit the Facebook event page here
A limited number of tickets are available for purchase to gain access to the SHINE VIP Experience inside FloridaRAMA’s immersive art space (formerly Fairgrounds St. Pete). Mingle with past and present SHINE artists while exploring the multi-sensory art exhibits. The $75 ticket price includes valet parking, limited edition keepsake item, gourmet bites from Uptown Eats and open bars sponsored by Mandarin Hide, Great Bay Distributors and Mother Kombucha.
TOURS
Daily mural tours by trolley are available through Star Trolley: https://star-trolley.com/murals/
Weekend tours by foot or bike available through Florida CraftArt: https://floridacraftart.org/slider/mural-tours-begin-in-the-central-arts-district/
Arts Business Academy has helped our local artists gain business skills for many years, and we're ready to take this impactful program a step further! Beyond ABA offers monthly, one-off workshops to help our local artists learn from community leaders and strengthen their arts businesses. Each month, we bring together a diverse group of community leaders, industry experts, and successful artists who share their expertise, inspire thoughtful discussion, and assist local arts entrepreneurs on their professional development journeys.
Why join Beyond ABA?
- Dive deeper into topics covered during ABA
- Maintain connections with fellow artists throughout the year
- Make professional development part of your monthly routine!
Upcoming Session:
From Conception to Completion: Bringing Artistic Projects to Life
Virtual Session on November 13th, 2024, 6:30-8:00 pm.
In this Zoom presentation, join artist, exhibition curator, and Juntos Art Association Creative Director Diana Molina alongside fellow Juntos multi-media artists Angel Cabrales and Alejandro Macias as they talk about the journey of the Icons and Symbols of the Borderland, Art From the US-Mexico Crossroads exhibition that will be exhibited at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art from August 24th-January 19th. The conversation will take you on a road trip from conceptual inception to the ongoing evolution and products of this collective project, with insights into how to bring artistic projects to life.
Meet the Presenters:
Diana Molina—Diana Molina is a multimedia artist and photographer, curator of the Icons and Symbols of the Borderland exhibit, and has served as the Creative Director for the JUNTOS Art Association since 2012. Born a half mile from the US-Mexico boundary, her work across diverse mediums explores the limitations of life on the fringe while appealing to a universal audience. Her exhibits have been widely shown in art, science and history museums in the United States and Europe and several of her photo essays are archived at the UT El Paso Special Collections Library and the UT Austin Benson Latin American Collection. Molina is part of the New Mexico Humanities Council Lecture Program and continues to build on her interest in the connections between art, ecology and humanity.
Angel Cabrales— Cabrales views everything as an artistic resource and utilizes this in all his creations, from his extensive experience with a variety of mediums and styles, to the intangibles, such as his upbringing in the El Paso, Texas Borderlands. Angel's work is an amalgamation of his upbringing resulting in social/political commentary with an engineered flare. The artwork’s concept ultimately dictates the medium needed for its creation, so artistic evolution is intrinsic in his philosophy. Cabrales teaches all levels of Sculpture at UTEP, including Experimental Systems in Sculpture focused on STEAM elements in art and the Neon Sculpture program. He is head of the EASSI (Engineering + Art + Science = Social Impact) team that works on community engaged projects involving the arts and sciences in the Borderlands of El Paso.
Alejandro (Alex) Macias—Macias currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Painting and Drawing at the University of Arizona School of Art in Tucson, AZ. Born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, along the U.S./ Mexico border. Alejandro Macias has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including notable residencies at Vermont Studio Center, Chateau d’Orquevaux in Orquevaux, France, The Studios at MASS MoCA, Wassaic Project, CALA Alliance, and Uncool Artist in Brooklyn, NY (2024). Macias roots his practice in the ambiguity of the in-between-of identity, nationhood, and place, and his paintings and drawings address themes of belonging and place in the Mexican-American experience.
Beyond ABA is just $10 per session, and FREE for ABA Alumni and SPAA Members. Want to attend Beyond ABA for free all year long? Become an SPAA Member today!
Members and ABA Alumni contact karalyn@stpeteartsalliance.org to get your code for complimentary admission!
Questions? Contact karalyn@stpeteartsalliance.org!
Please use the form below to submit your vote
for the new SPAA Board Secretary
(This form is to be completed by the All SPAA Board Members)
The Executive Committee is recommending Michelene Everett for the role of SPAA Board Secretary.
