Cultural Funding

Current Funding Opportunities

There are no current funding opportunities.

Cultural Funding Programs

Thrive, Elevate, and Nexus cultural funding programs were developed in consultation with Austin’s creative community from 2019-2022. Funding prioritizes equity through a combination of seed funding, broad sector support, and targeted investment. Read the Cultural Funding Report (PDF, 1.8 MB), El camino hacia la equidad cultural (PDF, 2.2 MB). 

2024 Grant Recipients

• FY25-26 Thrive Awardees
• FY24 Elevate Awardees 
• FY24 Nexus Awardees

Closed Grants:

• The Arts Education Relief Grant closed on September 12, 2021 at 5 p.m. Review the guidelines for the Arts Education Relief Grant (PDF)
• The Nexus Grant closed on August 15, 2023 at 5 p.m. Review the guidelines for the Nexus Program (PDF)
• The Elevate Grant closed on June 30, 2023, at 5 p.m. Review the guidelines for the Elevate Program (PDF) Learn more about the Elevate Grant awardees.
• The Thrive Grant closed in December 2022 and awarded funding to 36 local art nonprofit organizations deeply rooted in and reflective of Austin’s diverse cultures. Learn more about the Thrive Grant awardees.

Apply to be a Review Panelist

Learn about review panelist responsibilities and apply.

Apply to be a review panelist

Helpful Information

• Arts Commission - Find information on the Arts Commission members, upcoming meetings, and more.  
• ATXN Video Archive - Access recordings of City Council meetings, including Budget Work Sessions. To filter for Arts Commission events, click on the “Boards and Commissions” tab, and then select “Arts Commission” from the “Filter by Subcategory” dropdown menu. 
• Community Navigators – The Economic Development Department’s Community Navigator Program offers one-on-one coaching, virtual classes, and help applying for government and philanthropic support.