BARTOW, Fla. – The future is as bright as the colorfully creative bumpers adorned with Kids Tag Art license plates! Kids Tag Art (KTA), founded by Polk County Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder, has wrapped its 19th program year. On Tuesday evening, June 10, 2025, Tedder presented a check to the Polk County School Board on behalf of the KTA program, totaling $52,323, for elementary art programs.
At the PCPS Board Meeting in Bartow on June 10, Tedder presented the Board with the check which represents funding for public elementary school art programs.
Through KTA, fifth graders across the county design their own vanity license plates to be purchased by the public in the fundraiser which gives back its proceeds to Art teachers.
A number of Polk County charter schools participate in KTA, such as Babson Park Elementary.
KTA stimulates creative thinking and problem solving. Through this program and partnership between the Tax Collector’s Office, Polk County Public Schools and many generous sponsors, KTA is building a stronger community through the creative spirit of the KTA program.
“Beyond the artwork itself, we’re cultivating future leaders and encouraging artistic expression which makes a lasting impact in our community,” Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder said.
Teachers will receive funding from KTA, represented in Tuesday’s check presentation, to be able to purchase items such as materials that allow them to stock their classrooms and continue successful curriculums. This year, the program:
- $60,413 raised for all Polk County schools (public, private, and charter schools)
- $52,323 raised for Polk County public schools alone
- $625 (at least) to each art teacher’s fund for classroom supplies
- $727,720 total raised in Polk County to date
- More than $2.5 Million total raised across all participating Florida counties to date
In addition to the proceeds from license plate sales, sponsors continue to contribute to KTA’s great success.
“Without the help of such awesome sponsors and partners, there’s no way we could have made this program the success it’s continued to be for about two decades!” Tedder continued. “We want to recognize and thank them tremendously.”
KTA’s Major Sponsor Southern Homes of Polk County continues to be a valued partner; we also thank DPrint, LEGOLAND Florida, Big 4 Radio – 97.5 WPCV and Max 98.3—Hall Communications, Lauren’s Kids, Bill2Pay, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, LAMAR Advertising Company, the Polk Education Foundation, Florida Heart Research Foundation, SouthState Bank, Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance, Publix Supermarket Charities, Unlimited DPI, the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College, Florida Department of Citrus, First Lakeland Tag Agency, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital/BayCare Kids, Regal Automotive Group of Lakeland, Tampa Electric (TECO), Straughn Trout Architects, WBF Radio 102.9 FM, and of course Polk County Public Schools.
Those interested in supporting the Kids Tag Art program through the purchase of a vanity license plate can visit www.KidsTagArt.com and follow the link to ‘Purchase Kids Tag Art’ to browse and buy student license plate designs!
For more information on how to become involved as a participating school or donating sponsor, or for any Media requests, contact Communications Manager Ashleigh Mills at (863) 944-2002 or AshleighMills@polktaxes.com.