Volusia Arts Lifeline

When public funding falls silent, the people can speak louder.

Across Volusia County, vital cultural grants — totaling over $611,758 (just 0.044% of the county’s operating budget for FY2026) — have been abruptly postponed, leaving dozens of arts organizations facing an uncertain future. These are the theatres, museums, galleries, and cultural spaces that give our community its soul.

We have reached out to all organizations that were approved for funding and have asked for their commitment to join this effort. All funds raised, whatever that amount may be, will be shared according to the percentage each organization would have received from the original grant.

They are as follows:

African American Museum for the Arts — $3,393

ArtHaus — $31,471

Artists’ Workshop of New Smyrna — $23,779

Atlantic Center for the Arts — $30,905

Bel Canto Singers — $3,384

Cinematique of Daytona Beach — $17,227

Civic Ballet of Volusia County — $29,271

Creative Happiness Institue — $1,141

Daytona Beach Choral Society — $3,412

Daytona Beach Symphony Society — $29,772

Daytona Playhouse — $30,734

DeLand Naval Air Station Museum — $3,393

Fall Festival of the Arts DeLand — $23,620

Florida Surf Film Festival — $29,934

Florida Wing Commemorative Air Force — $7,873

Gateway Center for the Arts — $30,257

Halifax Historical Society — $6,724

HUB on Canal — $30,662

IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts — $30,662

Iranian American Society of Daytona Beach — $3,162

Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach — $30,500

Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum — $3,384

Museum of Arts and Sciences — $30,904

Museum of Art – DeLand — $30,904

Ormond Beach Historical Society — $11,036

Ormond Memorial Art Museum — $30,311

Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts — $30,257

Sands Theater Center (Athens Theatre) — $31,066

Shoestring Theatre — $8,766

USA Dance — $3,356

Volusia Community Arts — $12,351

For generations, the arts have shaped Volusia County into a place where imagination is nurtured, where children discover their voices, and where neighbors come together to feel inspired, connected, and part of something beautiful.

Now, those same organizations are fighting to keep their doors open, their lights on, and their programs alive.

That’s why we’re launching the Volusia Arts Lifeline — a community-powered relief effort to restore what politics has taken away.

Every dollar raised will go toward supporting arts organizations throughout Volusia County as we work together to overcome the impact of the county’s postponed funding. Our shared goal is simple: to stand together, to act quickly, and to ensure that art in Volusia County doesn’t just survive — it shines.

Donate. Share. Speak up.

Help us keep the arts alive in Volusia County.
Because when the arts thrive, our community’s heart shines brighter than ever.