Welcome

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) advances our state economically and culturally by investing in a creative Texas.

 Our work strengthens and grows the creative industries in our state, attracts cultural tourists, and generates economic activity.  The arts and culture industry generates $7 billion annually for the Texas economy.

TCA Designates Cultural Districts

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) officially designates cultural districts on behalf of the State of Texas.

Cultural districts are special zones that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community vitality. These districts can become focal points for generating businesses, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural development and fostering civic pride.

TCA Rural Initiatives

Texas has the nation’s largest rural population, with more than 4 million rural residents. Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) has programs to serve these communities and celebrate these hidden gems.

Young Masters

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) helps to cultivate and elevate the next generation Texas artists through the Young Masters program. Talented high school students compete for the coveted title of Young Masters. Two-year awards help these outstanding young artists hone their artistic skills.

Texas Touring Roster

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) maintains a list of outstanding Texas-based touring companies and artists.

 Artists compete to be included on this prestigious list. TCA grants help to ensure every Texas community has access to high quality arts programming at an affordable price.

TCA Speaker Series

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) offers free professional development opportunities. Pick up new ideas for fundraising, marketing, and more with our online speaker series.

Public Art in Texas

Murals, outdoor sculptures, and other public artwork can be a great way to create a unique and memorable identity for a community. Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) is happy to advise on public art projects and percent for art programs.

TCA News

Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) offers a free monthly email newsletter. Get the latest scoop from TCA delivered to your inbox including reminders about upcoming deadlines and opportunities.

Register

How to register for the grant portal

Grant Guidelines

TCA Grant Guidelines

Calendar Deadlines

Calendar of grant deadlines

Grant Portal

Sign in to TCA grant portal

Search Grants

Search TCA grants by city

Our News

Texas State Artist

Nominate the next Texas Poet Laureates, Texas State Musicians, and Texas State Artists (visual arts) by October 15! TCA organizes this biennial designation process, which is the highest honor the State gives to artists.

Information and the online nomination form are here.

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New Grants Approved

On September 3, TCA Commissioners approved funding of 1,143 grants in the first funding round for fiscal year 2027. The grants total over $17 million and will go to nonprofits and units of government in 131 Texas cities. The full list of fiscal year 2027 grants is here.

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 New Cultural Districts Approved

On September 3, TCA Commissioners also approved the designation of four new cultural districts: the Edinburg Arts District, Galveston African American Cultural Heritage District, Lufkin Cultural District, and Mitte Cultural District in Brownsville. Congratulations!

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September Commission Meeting

Per State law (Government Code, Chapter 551), the agenda is posted for public review with the Texas Register. 

Search for “Texas Commission on the Arts” to view the current agendas posted online.  The meeting materials are located here.

Art Jobs

Do you love to act or have some free time? Be our next Standardized Patient and play the role of patients in a clinical setting to help us train our nurses.

  • No medical background required
  • Flexible hours
  • Paid opportunities
  • Training provided

Interested? Contact:
SDNUTexas@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-4184

Deadline: 11/6/26
Location: Austin, TX
Website: https://www.fairfield.edu/academics/schools-and-colleges/egan-school-of-nursing-and-health-studies/

Job Features1

Job CategoryJobs
Closing Date05/19/25
LocationLocation
WebsiteWebsite

Do you love to act or have some free time? Be our next Standardized Patient and play the role of patients in a clinical setting to help us train our nurses. Interested? Contact:SDNUTexas@fairfield.edu...

The Director of Development is an experienced fundraising professional and a key member of the Chinati Foundation's leadership team. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Chief Financial and Operating Officers, this role helps shape and sustain the philanthropic support that makes Chinati's work possible. Through thoughtful leadership and collaboration, the Director of Development builds meaningful relationships with individual donors, foundations, trustees, and other supporters, serving as a strategic partner in strengthening the organization's culture of philanthropy and advancing its mission.

This position oversees the full range of development activities, including individual, foundation, corporate, and government giving; major gifts and planned giving; fundraising campaigns and special events; donor stewardship and communications; prospect research; and development operations, reporting, and database management. In partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and senior staff, the Director of Development develops and implements strategies to grow philanthropic support, deepen engagement with the organization, and communicate the significance and impact of Chinati's programs, collections, and ongoing stewardship of its site and mission.

General Duties and Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy and Institutional Priorities
Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports annual and long-term goals, working closely with the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer.
Lead the Development Department in meeting agreed goals for annual operating support, capital gifts, and endowment contributions, balancing solicitation priorities and staff time across these needs.
Maintain a written annual fundraising plan, calendar, and prospect pipeline with clear revenue goals, assignments, deadlines, and regular progress reviews.
Work with senior staff and the Board of Trustees to set fundraising priorities that support Chinati’s strategic and preservation plans and align with its vision, ethos, and history.
Effectively communicate and collaborate with other departments.
Perform other duties as necessary to ensure effective functioning of the organization.
Development Operations and Leadership
Produce regular reports, evaluations, and forecasts on Chinati’s fundraising for the Executive Director, senior staff, and Board of Trustees, assessing revenue, donor retention, and progress toward agreed goals.
Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate Development staff and manage the work of consultants and other outside professionals within the approved staffing plan and budget.
Ensure accurate donor records in the CRM, timely gift acknowledgments, donor recognition, documented donor contacts, pledge schedules, and organized departmental files. Maintain donor confidentiality and appropriate access to records. Establish written procedures and cross-training to support continuity.
Reconcile fundraising records with Finance and review revenue forecasts regularly, distinguishing gifts received, outstanding pledges, and prospective support. Coordinate gift agreements, donor restrictions, and complex or planned gifts with the Executive

Director and Chief Financial Officer.
Set staff priorities, hold regular departmental meetings, provide constructive feedback, and remain accountable for the department’s work, including activities delegated to staff or consultants.
Model collaborative leadership by stepping into operational or administrative duties when circumstances require.
Prepare development sections of board materials, annual reports, and funder communications.
Build and manage the development department budget; track expenses throughout the fiscal year.

Donor Cultivation and Board Engagement
Take a central role, alongside the Executive Director, in identifying and cultivating prospects, soliciting and closing gifts, and stewarding donors.
Serve as the Development staff liaison to the Board of Trustees and support the Executive Director and trustees in identifying and cultivating prospective board members.
Represent Chinati at donor and foundation meetings, events, and visits and tours, communicating its mission and needs with knowledge, care, and professionalism.
Maintain an active donor portfolio and coordinate the Executive Director’s and trustees’ fundraising participation through briefings, solicitation plans, documented next steps, and timely follow-up.

Annual Giving, Membership, and Events
Lead fundraising and donor cultivation events, including the Chinati Weekend benefit, coordinating planning and delivery with colleagues and outside professionals. Establish revenue and expense goals and evaluate results.
Manage event budgets, sponsorships, and in-kind support.

Produce compelling solicitation materials for annual appeals and fundraising campaigns, working with colleagues to convey Chinati’s mission, programs, and preservation needs accurately.
Lead membership acquisition, renewal, and stewardship; annual and year-end appeals; and benefit fundraising, coordinating donor communications and recognition with colleagues.

Grants
Serve as the primary internal point of contact for grants, aligning proposals with institutional priorities, coordinating programmatic and budget information with appropriate staff, and reviewing proposals and reports before submission.
Maintain the institutional grants calendar and ensure timely, accurate reporting to foundation and government funders.
Identify new foundation, corporate, and government funding prospects aligned with Chinati's mission.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in art history, arts administration, nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or another related field, or equivalent professional experience; advanced degree or professional certification (CRFE) strongly preferred.
7+ years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience, including at least three years leading fundraising programs and supervising staff at a director level.
Demonstrated track record of identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts ($10,000+), ideally in an arts, cultural, or museum setting.
Knowledge of (or ability to acquire) the Texas philanthropic landscape.
Experience building development departments and establishing organizational systems, workflows, policies, and procedures.
Demonstrated experience with financial management and data analysis, including setting and tracking progress against fundraising goals, using data to inform strategy, administering grant-funded programs, and reporting to leadership and the Board.
Commitment to hands-on leadership and adaptability in a small, mission-driven organization.
A strategic approach to fundraising with excellent attention to detail.
Outstanding organizational skills.
Superior written and verbal communication skills.
Familiarity with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Comfortable working independently with donor CRM systems, fundraising data, and donor tracking.
Conversational fluency in Spanish and/or other languages is preferred.

Terms
This is a regular, full-time, exempt, onsite position in Marfa, Texas with some travel required. Regular work hours are 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Other weekend, holiday, and evening hours are required as needed.
The compensation for this role is $95,000 to $105,000 per year. Chinati provides a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, paid time off and an employer sponsored 403(b) retirement plan. Chinati is a qualified employer for the public service loan forgiveness program.

Deadline: 11/01/26
Location: Marfa, TX
Website: https://chinati.org/director-of-development/

Job Features1

Job CategoryJobs
Closing Date05/19/25
LocationLocation
WebsiteWebsite

The Director of Development is an experienced fundraising professional and a key member of the Chinati Foundation’s leadership team. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with ...

We are seeking enthusiastic singers, dancers, performers, actors, music makers who have experience and interest in working with babies, toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups who love them! Music Together is a world leader in early childhood education curriculum and methodology and tuneBugz! has been a trusted music education resource in Austin for over 17 years. We offer paid apprenticeship (3 mos max @ $25/hr) and solo teaching artists range from $35 to $75 per class for contract teaching (once training is completed.) We are urgently hiring in 78704 & 78723. Audition and training certificate from Music Together Worldwide required.

Deadline: 06/01/27
Location: Austin,TX
Website: https://tunebugz.com/jobs.html

Job Features1

Job CategoryJobs
Closing Date05/19/25
LocationLocation
WebsiteWebsite

We are seeking enthusiastic singers, dancers, performers, actors, music makers who have experience and interest in working with babies, toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups who love them! Music Tog...

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Art Opportunities

Art Mart Dates: November 20-22, 2026

Applications Deadline: Monday, October 19, 2026. Applications close at midnight Central Time.

Since 2003, the Art Mart has showcased the work of local and regional artists who work in a variety of styles, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, textile art, jewelry, mosaics, glass, and other media. Proceeds of the Art Mart benefit the participating artists and the Friends of the Bath House Cultural Center, a not-for-profit organization that supports year-round visual and performing arts programs at the center.

To apply and see booth fees and more:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I1Tfby6zGKaSML8n1RfJaB-wsaXvFuUu/view

Deadline: 10/19/26
Location: Dallas, TX
Website: https://bathhouse.dallasculture.org

Job Features1

Job CategoryOpportunities
Closing Date05/19/25
LocationLocation
WebsiteWebsite

Art Mart Dates: November 20-22, 2026 Applications Deadline: Monday, October 19, 2026. Applications close at midnight Central Time. Since 2003, the Art Mart has showcased the work of local and regional...

Innovate Grant awards (2) $1,800.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer. In addition, (18) honorable mentions (9 in art and 9 in photo), will be featured on our website and join a growing community of vibrant and talented artists. Innovate Grant's commitment extends beyond the grant cycle by promoting the work of selected winners and honorable mentions into the future. For more information and to apply visit https://innovateartistgrants.org

Innovate Grant supports artists and photographers through quarterly grants. We've simplified the grant process, so that artists and photographers can focus on making their innovative work. The work should speak for itself and our application reflects that.

Awards:

  • 1 x $1,800.00 to a Visual Artist
  • 1 x $1,800.00 to a Photographer
  • 18 x Honorable Mentions

Explore the work of ALL Past Innovate Grant recipients and read their interviews at https://innovateartistgrants.org

How to Apply: Visual Artists and Photographers 18 years and older, from all around the world, are eligible to apply. All media and genres are accepted. All applicants retain the right to the work they submit. Apply today at https://innovateartistgrants.org

Category: Multiple disciplines and genres accepted
Deadline: Tuesday, December 15 2026 – Submit by 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time
$35 Application Fee for 3-10 Images of Your Work
Region: US & International
Awards: 2 x $1,800.00 USD Grants // 18 x Honorable Mentions

Apply Online Today
https://innovateartistgrants.org

Deadline: 12/16/26
Location: Online
Website: https://innovateartistgrants.org

Job Features1

Job CategoryOpportunities
Closing Date05/19/25
LocationLocation
WebsiteWebsite

Innovate Grant awards (2) $1,800.00 grants each quarter, to one Visual Artist and one Photographer. In addition, (18) honorable mentions (9 in art and 9 in photo), will be featured on our website and ...

2026 Inaugural Grant Program

Do you have a collection item that needs conservation? Applications are now open for Art Preservation Fund's inaugural grant cycle.
Grants will support the interventive conservation treatment of art and heritage items held in nonprofit collections across the US via two funding tracks:
Track A for applicants who already have a treatment proposal and are ready to proceed (up to $25,000), and
Track B for those who need an expert to define scope and cost before treatment (up to $5,000).
Applications must be submitted through the web form by October 30, 2026 at 8pm EDT.
Nonprofits interested in applying are encouraged to attend the Art Preservation Fund's online info session on October 6th at 2pm EDT.

Location: United States of America
Website: https://www.artpreservationfund.org/grants
Deadline: 10/30/26

Job Features1

Job CategoryOpportunities
Closing Date05/19/25
LocationLocation
WebsiteWebsite

2026 Inaugural Grant Program Do you have a collection item that needs conservation? Applications are now open for Art Preservation Fund’s inaugural grant cycle.Grants will support the interventi...

 

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Art Plate

To get the plate that funds the arts