The Cbeginy of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture is gearing up to hold four information sessions for local artists and nonprofit cultural organizations.
These information sessions will explain how artists and nonprofits can apply for Fiscal Year 2026 grants.
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Information session dates:
Jan. 11: Artist Grant Application
The one-hour information session will begin at 11 a.m. at the Tobin Library at Oakwell. That is located at 4134 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
The session will cover the application process, eligibility and timeline.
Participants are encouraged to bring notebooks and/or laptops to take notes.
Jan. 18: How to Craft an Artist Statement
This one-hour session will begin at 11 a.m. at the Tobin Library at Oakwell. That is located at 4134 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
Arts & Culture Administrator Jennifer Chowning will host this one-hour session on crafting a solid artist statement for a powerful Artist Registry profile.
Jan. 22: Artist Grant Application (Virtual)
This information session will be held virtually, beginning at 6 p.m. via WebEx. The session will cover the application process, eligibility and timeline.
A WebEx link will be emailed to you directly after registration.
Feb. 1: Artist Grant Application w/Computer Lab
This one-hour information session will begin at 11 a.m. at the Tobin Library at Oakwel, located at 4134 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
The session will cover the application process, eligibility and timeline.
Participants are encouraged to bring notebooks and/or laptops to take notes.
Following this session, department members will be available until 1 p.m. for technical assistance with the application.
Grants available:
- Artist Grants:
- Supports professional artists in the creation of new original work that develops their craft and elevates their careers
- Funded by the Hotel Occupancy Tax
- 18-month term
- Awards of $7,500 or $15,000
- $7,500: Individual artist
- $15,000: Individual artists and/or artist collectives and ensembles presenting a larger production
- Artist eligibility:
- Live within San Antonio city limits or operate an artistic business/studio within city limits
- In good standing with Federal, State, City of San Antonio, and the Department of Arts & Culture
- Professional portfolio that includes published and/or publicly displayed work
- Demonstrate a clear investment of time and resources into the creation of new works
- At least three years of relevant work experience or have received specialized training in their artistic field, such as a degree or certification
- Operational Grants:
- Operational support for nonprofit San Antonio-based organizations producing exemplary arts and culture programming for locals and visitors
- Funded by revenue from the Hotel Occupancy Tax
- Three-year grant cycle with annual renewal process
- Grant allocation based on organizational budget, prioritization, and availability
- Operational Grant Eligibility:
- San Antonio-based 501 (c)3 nonprofit
- In good standing with Federal, State, City of San Antonio, and Department of Arts & Culture
- Minimum three years of operational history
- Articulated mission and operational evidence of producing arts and cultural programming that benefits and contributes to the cultural fabric of San Antonio
- Annual operating budget between $50,000 and $15,000,000
- Active board of directors with a commitment and plan to build a board and/or leadership reflective of San Antonio’s demographic diversity
- Written policy outlining process and payment for professional artists and their work
- Dedicated full-time administrator for business management and contractual grant obligations
- Priority is given to existing grant-funded agencies
- Culturally Specific Grants:
- Capacity-building nonprofit support for San Antonio-based arts organizations with missions to promote, preserve and enhance the identity and character of culturally specific communities
- Funded by revenues from the Hotel Occupancy Tax
- Three-year grant with annual renewal process
- Developed to create equitable arts funding for organizations who have been historically underfunded
- Grants up to 20% of an organization’s three-year average of net operating expenses (minus capital expenditures and/or depreciation), not to exceed $150,000
- Culturally Specific Eligibility:
- Operational Grantee
- Three-year organizational history must include:
- Mission statement (per GuideStar, IRS 990s, and website) with a culturally specific focus to preserve, promote, or enhance the cultures of: Latina/o, African American, Asian American, Native American, Middle Eastern, Women, LGBTQIA+
- All of the organization’s programming is dedicated to showcasing the identity and cultural character of the specific community
- Organizational leadership (Executive Director, Artistic Director, Board Chair) and Board (51%+) represent the culturally specific group
- Events Grants:
- Supports one artistic event, extraordinary artistic presentation or performance that increases access to the arts and culture of San Antonio
- Funded by revenue from the Hotel Occupancy Tax
- Three-year grant with annual renewal process
- Grants up to $20,000
- Event Eligibility:
- San Antonio-based organization with events occurring in San Antonio
- Tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit
- Hosting organization in good standing with Federal, State, City of San Antonio and Department of Arts & Culture
- Event exemplifies the San Antonio experience for locals and visitors
- Event budget must exceed $5,000
- Performing Arts Production Costs Grants:
- Supports performing arts organizations and performing arts professional artists producing ongoing, sustainable and high-quality performances in San Antonio
- Funded by the City of San Antonio’s agreement with Ticketmaster through the Arts & Entertainment Enhancement Fund
- Open call issued every other year
- Grant amount:
- Up to $7,500 for performing arts professional artists 2
- Up to $15,000 for performing arts organizations
- Eligibility for Performing Arts Professional Artists:
- Reside in San Antonio
- Be a “Performing Artist”
- In good standing with Federal, State, City of San Antonio and Department of Arts & Culture
- Three years of actively performing in San Antonio
- Artists Grantees: if you receive an artist grant, you must submit an application for a separate project or detail what expenses these funds will cover that are not covered by your artist grant
- Eligibility for Performing Arts Organizations:
- San Antonio-based 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit
- In good standing with Federal, State, City of San Antonio and Department of Arts & Culture
- Be a performing arts organization
- Three years of actively presenting and producing in San Antonio
- Over half of overall organizational programming in the performing arts
- Have an active Board of Directors
- Performing Arts Venue Improvement Grants:
- Supports capital improvements and the purchase of equipment to enhance the quality of productions and guest experiences in San Antonio
- Funded by the City of San Antonio’s agreement with Ticketmaster through the Arts & Entertainment Enhancement Fund
- Open call issued every other year
- Grant amount:
- Maximum grant of up to $25,000
- Eligibility:
- Must be an Operational grantee
- Be a performing arts producing organization
- Must own or hold a long-term lease (minimum 5 years remaining) of their venue or have a lease of a City-owned facility
- Film Festival Grants:
- Supports efforts to build a thriving film culture in San Antonio
- Funded by revenues from the Hotel Occupancy Tax
- Maximum not to exceed 20% of festival budget ($15,000)
- Three-year grant with annual renewal process
- Film Festival Eligibility:
- Organized by a San Antonio-based 501(c)3 nonprofit overseen by an active Board of Directors
- Organizations in good standing with Federal, State, City of San Antonio and the Department of Arts & Culture
- Held in San Antonio and open to the entire community and ADA-compliant
- Three-year history of the festival in San Antonio with a proven track record of recognition and wide audience reach
- Includes a locally juried process for film selections
- Features education and professional development opportunities (workshops, panels, networking) for the San Antonio film industry
You can read more about all the grants offered here.
For any questions regarding the information sessions, email ArtsFunding@sanantonio.gov.