Submitted by Diana Hanford
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. –Funding Arts Broward (FAB) proudly announced the distribution of a record-breaking $405,000 in grants during its 2026 Grant Awards Ceremony & Cocktail Reception presented by JP Morgan. The event held May 8 at the picturesque Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, celebrated FAB’s most impactful funding cycle to date.
Fifty-six arts and cultural organizations from across Broward County were awarded grants, underscoring FAB’s ongoing dedication to strengthening the region’s creative community. Attendees enjoyed an evening of cocktails, lite bites, and captivating live mini performances and artistic vignettes from several 2026 grantees, including Hued Songs, Florida Children’s Theatre, Volta Music Foundation, Island City Stage, Brazilian Voices, and Japan Arts. The historic venue provided an inspiring backdrop to highlight the rich diversity and talent FAB supports.
“Thanks to the unwavering commitment of our FAB members, SPARK campaign donors, and generous corporate sponsors, we were delighted to award our largest grant pool ever,” said Mary Riedel, President of Funding Arts Broward. “This achievement underscores FAB’s steadfast mission to enrich the local arts community and sustain a vibrant creative ecosystem.”
(Photos credit: Michael Murphy Photography)
Earlier this spring, FAB’s 2026 Grants Committee evaluated $625,750 in funding requests from new applicants. Following a rigorous and highly competitive review process, 65% of the total requested funds were awarded—demonstrating both the exceptional quality of applications and the increasing need for arts funding in Broward County.
2026 FAB Grant Recipients by Discipline:
Theatre – $92,800 (10 Programs):
Art Prevails Project, Developing Dreams Foundation, Fantasy Theatre Factory, Florida Children’s Theatre, Inside Out Theatre Company, Island City Stage, New City Players, Plays of Wilton, Slow Burn Theatre Company, Thinking Cap Theatre
Dance – $34,600 (4 Programs):
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, Dance NOW! Miami, Fort Lauderdale Children’s Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet
Music – $134,600 (18 Programs):
Brazilian Voices, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Chopin Foundation, Embrace Music Foundation, Florida Grand Opera, Florida Singing Sons, Florida Youth Orchestra, Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Gold Coast Jazz Society, Hued Songs, Japan Arts/Fushu Daiko, Master Chorale of South Florida, Seraphic Fire, South Florida Chamber Ensemble, South Florida Pride Bands, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of the Americas, The Girl Choir of South Florida
Visual and Film – $38,000 (5 Programs):
Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, ArtServe, Coral Springs Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, NSU Museum of Art
Arts Education – $105,000 (19 Programs):
Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Coral Springs Museum of Art, Evolutionary Arts Life Foundation, Fantasy Theatre Factory, Florida Children’s Theatre, Florida Grand Opera, Florida Youth Orchestra, Florida Singing Sons, Girl Choir of South Florida, Gold Coast Jazz Society, Lovewell Institute for the Creative Arts, Master Chorale of South Florida, Miami City Ballet, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Seraphic Fire, South Florida Pride Bands, Symphony of the Americas, Volta Music Foundation
Funding Arts Broward’s 2026 Reception Sponsors included:
Presenting Sponsor: JP Morgan Private Bank and Scott & Renee Johnson
Entertainment Sponsor: Berger Singerman
Catering Sponsor: Silverman Schermer
Grantee Sponsors: Community Foundation of Broward, David Jobin and Angel Burgos
About Funding Arts Broward (FAB)
Funding Arts Broward (FAB) is a dynamic, privately funded non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the arts in Broward County. Established in 2003 by local artist and philanthropist Francie Bishop Good, along with 74 other committed arts supporters, FAB aims to sustain and enrich the arts through strategic grant-making and program development including; impactful performing arts programs, visual arts initiatives, public art projects, and arts education efforts. Since its inception, FAB has awarded over $5.4 million in grants, championing arts advocacy and supporting a vibrant cultural landscape in the community. Through its ongoing efforts, FAB continues to play a pivotal role in fostering creativity and access to the arts for all residents of Broward County.
