St. Johns Cultural Council Celebrates 25 Years With Historic Arts Grants

ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (October 1, 2025) – The St. Johns Cultural Council is opening two of its annual grant opportunities, which fund professional development for artists and arts, culture, and heritage projects in St. Johns County. Past recipients include Friends of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine Pipe Band, and Lullaby of the Rivers Festival. The Tommy Bledsoe State of the Arts Grant applications are open October 1 to October 31. The St. Johns County Arts for All (AFA) Grant applications are open October 15 to November 16.

“To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re pleased to award a total of $25,000 through SOTA grants to individual artists or arts organizations,” says Jeff Potts, Executive Director of the St. Johns Cultural Council (SJCC). “Funds for this grant are generated through the State of the Arts (SOTA) license plates. When you choose to purchase one of these plates, you’re putting money directly in the hands of local creatives. We have around 550 plates in St. Johns County – with over 300,000 residents and a thriving community of artists, we’d love to see it grow!”

The SOTA Grant Program now bears the name of Tommy Bledsoe, a long-time SJCC Board member, SOTA Grant Committee Chair, local musician, and arts educator. While serving on the SJCC Board of Directors, Bledsoe helped develop the State of the Arts grant program. “I’m flabbergasted that this grant is now named after me,” he says. “I’m so honored, and I hope that the legacy of this program continues to bring inspiration and connection to the amazing arts community in St. Johns County.”

The SOTA Grant is awarding a total of $25,000 – two $5,000 and ten $1,500 grants – to individual artists or arts organizations. Applicants must be individuals residing in or organizations based in St. Johns County. The application opens on October 1 and closes at 5pm on October 31, 2025. Nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and public schools may apply for funds to support new or expanded programs in an array of arts disciplines. Learn more about the application process here.

The St. Johns County Arts for All (AFA) Grant has a $50,000 grant pool, provided by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the SJCC. Individual AFA grants provide between $5,000 and $10,000 to arts, culture, and heritage organizations with annual revenues of less than $350,000, as well as up to $5,000 for individual artists. The application will open on October 15 and close on November 16 at 11:59pm. Grant projects can be of any art discipline and must take place in St. Johns County during the grant period. Learn more about the application process here.

ABOUT ST. JOHNS CULTURAL COUNCIL: The St. Johns Cultural Council was established in 2000 to support local artists and arts organizations and promote St. Johns County as a premier arts destination where the lives of both residents and visitors are enriched through art, culture, history, and heritage. Photos to accompany this release can be found here. Learn more at StJohnsCulture.com and follow along on social media @StJohnsCulture and @HistoricCoastCulture