State legislatures use various mechanisms to supplement general funds for state and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs). One such method is the sale of specialty arts license plates, which feature artistic designs and generate revenue through an additional fee on vehicle registrations. For example, California’s iconic “Coastline” specialty plate was designed by California artist Wayne Thiebaud in 1993. These plates generate revenue for state arts agencies and their constituents through a fee in addition to the regular state licensing fee. As of 2025, 18 states—Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaiʻi, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia—now offer arts‑themed license plates, with proceeds directed to their state arts agencies or other designated arts organizations.
Each specialty plate typically contributes $5 to $30 to arts funding, adding over $15 million to SAA budgets in FY2025. These funds generally support state arts programs, though Indiana uses the income to build its state cultural trust and Florida uses the funds to support arts organizations in each of its counties. Beyond funding, specialty plates can serve as an advocacy tool by raising the visibility of the SAA or the arts in general. For instance, the Alaska State Council on the Arts held a statewide competition to select its plate design, engaging constituents and public officials in the process.
Creating and maintaining specialty license plates presents challenges. State officials are often concerned about the cost of designing license plates when demand is low. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), designing a plate costs between $6,000 and $20,000. This expense has led more than 30 states to require interest groups to guarantee a minimum number of sales or cover manufacturing costs before approving new plates.
The growing number of specialty plates presents a significant challenge. NCSL reports that across 52 states and jurisdictions, there are more than 5,000 unique specialty plates, with Texas, Pennsylvania and Maryland each offering more than 400 different designs. This saturation makes it difficult for arts license plates to stand out among the many options available to motorists. Additionally, some states have encountered difficulties in administering and collecting revenues from specialty plates. The complex tracking and distribution of funds can complicate their effectiveness as a consistent funding source for arts programs.
Despite these challenges, many states have successfully established specialty plate programs as a viable source of supplemental funding for the arts.
For more information and detailed data on license plates or other dedicated revenue strategies, contact NASAA Research Manager Nakyung Rhee.
State | Year Authorized |
How Plate Generates Funds for SAA | Funds Go Toward |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 1996 | $50 fee minus the state administrative cost, split between the arts council and two education bureaus | Arts education and local arts programming |
Alaska | 2016 | Approximately $33 of the $50 new arts plate fee goes to the SAA | Artistic and cultural programming; advancing creative industries |
California | 1994 | Approximately $35 of the $50 new arts plate fee goes to the SAA; renewals of $40 all go to the SAA | Arts education and local arts programming |
Florida | 1994 | Arts organizations receive $20 per plate sold | One qualified arts organization in each county, to support arts activities |
Hawaiʻi | 2001 | Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance receives $20 per new plate and per renewal | Arts education and advocacy; arts-based community building |
Indiana | 1998 | SAA’s trust fund receives $25 per plate sold | State cultural trust |
Kansas | 1998 | SAA receives entire annual fee of $50 per plate | Local arts programming |
Nebraska | 2021 | $30 goes to the Support the Arts Cash Fund, and the special fund receives $5 per alapha/numeric plate per new plate and per renewal. A portion of fees goes to Nebraska Arts Council. | Arts and cultural community development and creative district grants |
Nevada | 2000 | Arts education programs receive $15 per new plate and $10 per plate renewal | Nevada Arts Council’s Arts in Education program and statewide activities of VSA arts of Nevada |
New Hampshire | 1998 | SAA receives some project funds from multi-agency conservation plate | Conservation projects |
New York | 1999 | SAA receives $15 per plate sold | Arts grant making and programming |
Oregon | 2001 | SAA trust fund receives $30 per plate sold | State cultural trust |
South Carolina | 2005 | SAA receives $60 for each plate sold | Arts education and general operating support for arts organizations |
Tennessee | 1994 | SAA receives $30.75 for every specialty plate sold | General operating support grants; arts in education activities |
Texas | 1993 | SAA receives $22 per plate sold | Arts and cultural programs, and to raise awareness of the cultural fund |
Virginia | 1996 | Special fund for SAA receives $15 per plate sold | Local arts and community programming |