RELEASE DATE: August 26, 2026
POLK COUNTY’S KIDS TAG ART PROGRAM CELEBRATED WITH SCHOOL BOARD CHECK PRESENTATION
BARTOW, Fla. – Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder marked a milestone for the Kids Tag Art (KTA) program, as more than $3 million has been raised for Fine Arts classrooms statewide since the program began 20 years ago!
On Tuesday night, August 25, 2026, Tax Collector Tedder presented a check to the School Board to represent 2025-2026 fundraising totals to public schools, in the amount of $59,609. This is a record fundraising achievement, as there were:
- $68,156raised for Polk County public, private, charter schools (2025-2026)
- $59,609raised for Polk County public schools alone
- $625 (at least) awarded to each art teacher
- $795,876 total raised in Polk County to date
- $3,094,301 total raised across all participating Florida counties (15+) to date!
Tedder is pleased and honored to present the funding for the elementary art teachers’ classrooms for supplies and materials.
“We are incredibly proud that Kids Tag Art has reached the remarkable milestone of raising $3 million,” Tedder said. “This achievement reflects the lasting impact of a program dedicated to enriching elementary school classrooms through Fine Arts.”
KTA is a program founded in Polk County to inspire fifth grade art students to design their own specialty vanity license plates. This ‘tag art’ can be ordered online at www.KidsTagArt.com and installed on the front of vehicles. All proceeds from sales go back to teachers to help them buy art supplies.
Tedder continued, “the difference this program is making in Polk County and across Florida is inspiring. We are especially grateful to our community partners and sponsors, whose continued generosity has helped Kids Tag Art thrive.”
KTA’s Major Sponsor is Southern Homes of Polk County; other valuable sponsors include DPrint, Regal Auto Group, Florida Department of Citrus, Orlando Health Watson Clinic, TECO, Publix Super Markets Charities, Walt Disney World Resort, Lauren’s Kids, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, BayCare Kids Winter Haven Hospital, First Lakeland Tag Agency, Florida Heart Research Foundation, SouthState Bank, LAMAR Advertising, the Polk Education Foundation, A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance, Unlimited DPI, Marc Media, the Florida Children’s Museum, the AGB Museum of Art, Grace Design Studios, PayStar, The Lunz Group, The Ruthvens, WBF Radio 102.9, and of course Polk County Public Schools.
PCPS Board Meeting, Tuesday, August 25, 2026 in Bartow, Florida.