ORLANDO, Fla. – United Arts of Central Florida is the recipient of a $50,000 Duke Energy Foundation grant to address the underrepresentation of people of color in the arts in central Florida.
The arts organization has used the grant to create the Diversity in the Arts funding program and is now accepting online applications. The Diversity in the Arts program is designed to increase participation of organizations led by people of color in United Arts’ funded programs.
“This grant to United Arts is one way to highlight the many contributions to the arts by people of color and demonstrate Duke Energy’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida’s state president. “Arts and culture have the power to enhance community vitality. We are proud to help lift up the creative voices of central Florida’s many diverse cultures and communities.
Through the grant, United Arts is targeting emerging grassroots organizations led by African American, LatinX and other people of color who are not currently funded through United Arts’ various grant programs in the hope of better supporting the diversity of arts in central Florida.
Funding up to $5,000 is available to organizations in Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Proposals must focus on the arts, sciences, or humanities and be open to the public. Examples include fine arts, history of a culture, exhibits, performances, festivals, or arts education programs. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on March 8, 2021. Programs must start by April 1, 2021, and be completed by July 30, 2021. Program guidelines and a link to the application can be found on United Arts’ website at https://unitedarts.cc/grantee-resources/grants.
“Since its inception in 1989, United Arts has invested more than $162 million in the growth and development of central Florida’s nonprofit cultural groups,” said Juliana Steele, interim president & CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. “As a contract-forservice program, the Diversity in the Arts program will be able to support a broader range of programming and bring to the forefront the contributions central Florida’ diverse arts and cultural organizations are making in communities in the region.”
United Arts is a collaboration of individuals, businesses, governments and school districts, foundations, arts and cultural organizations, and artists. Its mission is to enrich communities by investing in arts, science and history. United Arts serves residents and visitors in Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties through the more than 60 local arts, science and history organizations it supports. It does this by providing direct support through grants and contracts for services, collaborative fundraising, arts education opportunities, advocacy, and technical and administrative assistance. Since 1989, United Arts has invested more than $162 million in central Florida’s arts and culture. For more information, visit http://www.UnitedArts.ccor call 407.628.0333 or call 407.628.0333. Please email Juliana@UnitedArts.cc for comments or inquiries.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation. Also, you can read more about the grant to United Arts of Central Florida in Duke Energy’s illumination.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit. Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.
Duke Energy was named to Forbes’ 2021 “America’s Best Employers” list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com and in the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.