Kids Tag Art Initiative Pours Back into Local Classrooms

Creativity is making its way onto the roadways of Bay County, and the community is invited to help support it.

The Bay County Tax Collector’s Office recently completed its first year participating in the Kids Tag Art program. Kids Tag Art allows fifth-grade students to design their own colorful vanity-style plates, which family members and community supporters can purchase and display on vehicles, in homes, or offices. Funds raised go directly back to school art programs to help purchase supplies and support creative learning opportunities.

Originally launched in 2002 in Polk County, the initiative has grown to include 15 tax collectors across Florida and has raised more than $2.5 million statewide for school art programs.

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Last year was the pilot year for Kids Tag Art in Bay County and more than $7,000 was raised for local elementary school art classrooms. Proceeds from community business sponsorships and the sale of student-designed decorative license plates supported art departments at Deer Point Elementary, Hutchison Beach Elementary, and Patronis Elementary. 

This year, the program is continuing to grow locally with five Bay County schools participating: Breakfast Point, Deer Point, Hutchison Beach, Patronis, and Tommy Smith Elementary.

Local businesses have played an important role in helping the program grow. Community sponsors such as Bill Cramer GMC, Panhandle Engineering, Perry & Young Law, and PNC Entertainment helped make the pilot year possible.

Community members can continue supporting the young artists by purchasing a Kids Tag Art plate. Each purchase helps ensure that local classrooms have the materials students need to explore their creativity.

For families, friends, and community supporters, it’s a simple way to showcase local talent while investing in arts education.

To view student designs or purchase a plate, visit BayCountyFLTax.gov/KidsTagArt.

If you’re a business interested in being a sponsor for the Kids Tag Art program, please reach out to Kids Tag Art Coordinator Kara Stallings at (850) 248-8515.