License plate fees distributed through micro grants

Historic City News has discovered that ten art, music, and cultural programs in St Johns County are $500 richer, thanks to a tax on the sale of Florida’s “State of the Arts” automobile license plates.

We learned that when someone buys or renews a “State of the Arts” tag in St Johns County, twenty dollars is generated to an account that is used to fund the “micro grants” awarded by the local Cultural Council twice each year; in the Spring and Fall.

Fall winners included:

■ St. Luke AME Church & ACE Arts -After School Art Program
■ Kids Bridge Family Visitation Center -Healing Arts Program
■ Keys to Success -Music Program for Transitional Housing Program for Homeless Families
■ Friends of Southeast Branch Library -Art History program for toddlers to middle school
■ Council on Aging -Health and Rhythm Drumming Clinic
■ Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida -Dance and Movement Programs
■ Compassionate St. Augustine -Obelisk Art 450 Elementary School Art Initiative
■ St. Augustine Community School of Performing Arts -Boys & Girls Club music program
■ Florida Literary Arts Coalition -Boys & Girls Club writing program
■ AXIS Dance Company -Performance for Cunningham Creek Elementary.

The money paid by St Johns residents who elected to purchase the higher-cost plates are being used to allow homeless children an opportunity to take piano lessons, provide healing art programs, and offer health classes as well as rhythm drumming classes to local seniors.

A church will offer after school enrichment programs by using professional artists to teach children and another program will provide a safe situation for non-custodial parents to bridge the gap with their kids.

The Fall grants were awarded at the Crisp – Ellert Art Museum on the campus of Flagler College. A committee selected by the Board of the Cultural Council reviews the applications and decides which ones will most meaningfully enhance and enrich the arts and culture for the under-served of the county.

Spring 2015 grant applications can be submitted by April 15, 2015 to be eligible for funding of up to $500.00. Grant forms, guidelines, and general information are available online.