In recognition of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary, Creative Pinellas has selected six Pinellas County Artists to receive 2026 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) 2026 grants, totaling $60,000.
The artists, listed below, will use the funding to create programming to encourage the public to reflect on the history, present, and future of the country. Read about them on their Artist pages:
- Vanessa Cunto (Visual Art)
- Tyler Gillespie (Arts Education)
- Dave & Heather Hamar (Musical Composition and Performance)
- Erica Sutherlin (Film)
- Kirk Ke Wang (Sculptural Art)
- Felipe Zamudio (Film)
Each artist will present original programming throughout 2026, informed by their unique contributions and vision. Community Partners supporting the selected Artists include Heritage Village Museum and Park, Greenlight Cinema, Toftegaard Design, Articles Gallery, The St. Pete City Theatre, President Barack Obama Main Library, and The Studio@620.
Future events will include the premiere of temporary sculptures about an American role model; presentation of new large-scale exquisite drawings about the role of nature in the future of the country; a concert featuring a world-premiere of a composition about American Identity, and more.
This year’s funding continues Creative Pinellas’ strong partnership with the NEA, which was established in Congress in 1965 as an independent federal agency. It is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States.
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the NEA to celebrate the community’s love for our country’s possibilities,” says Funding Director Todd Wellman. “We can’t wait to share the public-facing events for the community to attend later this year.”
