Actors giving speeches, and dancers dancing.

The Artist Access Program was created out of a directive from City Council to utilize Hotel Occupancy Tax’s Cultural Arts funds to expand hours at four City-owned cultural centers, through the Division of Museums and Cultural Programs. Applicants are ranked by an impartial panel made up of professional artists from Austin using an established criteria. For more information visit our Program Guidelines page, or  email AAPInfo@austintexas.gov.  


A black and white image of a tap dancer rehearsing on stage.

2026 Season Applications

Applications for the 2026 season will be accepted beginning Monday, January 27, 2025 at 10:00am CST. The deadline to apply is Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 11:59PM CST.  The 2026 season follows the fiscal year and includes dates between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026.  

Venue Information

Asian American Resource Center

  • Available Spaces:  Ballroom, great lawn, foyer, four classrooms and a conference room. For details click here.
  • Phone: 512-974-1700
  • Address: 8401 Cameron Road, Austin, TX 78754
  • Site Contact: Fabian Duran, Event Coordinator, Email

Dougherty Arts Center 

  • Available Spaces:  Two rehearsal rooms and a 150 seat theater. For more information click here.
  • Phone: 512-974-4000
  • Address: 1110 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704
  • Site Contact: James Byers, Theater & Events Coordinator, Email

George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center

  • Available Spaces: Boyd Vance Theatre, indoor atrium, and dance studio. Click here for details.
  • Phone: 512-974-4926
  • Address: 1165 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78702
  • Site Contact: Deelah Muhyee, Administrative Specialist, Email

Zilker Hillside Theater

  • Available Space: Outdoor Amphitheater, festival and event grounds. For more information click here.
  • Phone: 512-974-4000
  • Address: 2206 William Barton Drive, Austin, TX 78746
  • Site Contact: James Byers, Theater & Event Coordinator, Email

Two dancers dressed in traditional costumes performe dance.

Past and Current AAP Partners

Salvage Vanguard Theatre ¡Escándalo! 
Generic Ensemble Company Austin Samba
Spectrum Theatre Company Theatre en Bloc
Shrewd Productions Isabella & The Runaway Train
Austin Shakespeare A’lante Flamenco Ensemble
Heartland Theatre Collective Ballet Afrique
Glass Half Full Theatre Austin City Ballet
Austin Dance Ensemble Austin Mayan Collective
B. Iden Payne Award Council Color Arc Productions
Austin Dance India Lannaya Drum & Dance Ensemble
Pollyanna Theatre Company Proyecto Teatro
Ariel Dance Theatre Company Teatro Vivo
Reclaim! Xavier Jara
Artistic Education Company Early Era Collective
Fisterra Project Different Stages Theatre
Kendra Wiley  Kung Fu Cowgirl
Austin Asian American Film Festival Texas Accountants & Lawyers For The Arts 
Texas Bengali Cultural Alliance Austin Sister Cities International Diversity Band
Dance Waterloo Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance