The Florida Keys Council of the Arts is marking its 30th anniversary with a new website designed to better connect artists, arts organizations and audiences throughout the Florida Keys.
Executive Director Liz Young joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the organization.
The redesigned website, keysarts.com, was a major project for the organization and includes new logos, messaging and interactive features.
Young said the council has awarded more than $1.3 million in local grants since 1997, with nearly $3.5 million awarded since its inception. She said continued community support, including memberships, is important to maintaining that work.
Unlike some local arts agencies that rely primarily on government funding, the Florida Keys Council of the Arts operates with a combination of government and private support. Government funding covers the council’s salaries and office operations, allowing membership dollars to go directly toward grants for artists and arts organizations.
The council supports performing, visual, literary and historical arts and also serves as a source of information about arts and cultural events throughout the Keys.
One of the new website’s features is an interactive map highlighting public art throughout Monroe County. Visitors can click on locations to see photographs and information about individual works and their artists.
Young said the council plans to add video clips featuring some of the artists and their work. The council administers public art programs for both Monroe County and the city of Key West.
The council is also working to reinstall its permanent collection at Key West International Airport following construction and changes to the terminal walls. Young said the county’s public art committee has also identified four new locations for artwork at the airport.
Grant opportunities are another major focus as the council enters its 30th year.
Applications for the Artists in Schools and Special Projects grants will open in early September. Both programs are offered twice a year.
The Special Projects Grant is intended for individual projects with a defined beginning, middle and end, while the Artists in Schools Grant supports arts programming in educational and learning environments.
The Artists in Schools program is not limited to traditional schools. Previous grants have supported organizations including the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter, Boys & Girls Clubs and library children’s programs.
The council’s website also includes an artist registry where members can showcase their work, provide artist statements and resumes, and connect their websites to their profiles.
Memberships start at $60 for individuals and $120 for couples, with higher membership levels also available.
Young said the council’s goal is to connect artists with audiences and audiences with artists through its website, event calendars, email newsletters, public art programs and other community outreach.
The website’s events calendar currently includes more than 300 events. Young encouraged arts organizations and event organizers whose activities are not listed to submit the who, what, where and when to [email protected].
Several major arts and cultural events are also coming up, including Womenfest Sept. 2-6 and Just a Few Friends Key West over Labor Day weekend.
Young highlighted Womenfest’s 2026 theme, “Lost Women in the Arts,” which focuses on women creators, performers and artists whose work has been overlooked or who are seeking to reclaim their place in the creative world.
The council is also preparing for additional theater activity in the fall. Young said Key Players in Key Largo will present “Dear Evan Hansen” and partner with Monroe County schools on programming addressing suicide prevention and mental health.
As the Florida Keys Council of the Arts begins its 30th year, Young said the organization is encouraging both longtime members to renew and new members to join.
“The arts always need support,” Young said, emphasizing that membership provides broad support for artists and arts organizations throughout the Florida Keys.