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TCA Listening Sessions
We want to hear from you! Register now to help TCA assess the needs of our field!
October 21, 2026 at 1 PM Central Registration
December 10, 2026 at 1 PM Central Registration
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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
Position Summary
The Director of Development (DoD) is a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Artistic Director in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, multi-channel fundraising strategy to secure approximately 50–60% of Main Street Theater’s annual operating budget through contributed revenue.
This role requires a blend of high-level strategic planning, hands-on execution, and sophisticated relationship management across individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and special events.
Key Responsibilities
- Individual Giving & Major Gifts (40%)
Donor Pipeline Management: Oversee the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors at all levels, with a heavy emphasis on growing the major gifts ($5,000+) portfolio.
Board Engagement: Partner with Board members to maximize their personal giving potential and leverage their networks to introduce new prospects to the theater.
Annual Campaigns: Strategy and execution for annual appeals, sustained giving circles, and occasional capacity or capital campaigns. - Corporate, Foundation & Government Grants (30%)
Institutional Giving: Oversee the grant-writing calendar, ensuring timely, compelling proposals and meticulous reporting to local, regional and national foundations.
Houston Philanthropy: Capitalize on Houston’s unique corporate landscape (energy, finance, healthcare, retail) to build creative sponsorship packages tied to productions, education programs, and community outreach.
Public Funding: Manage relationships and applications with local government arts agencies, including the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA), and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
- Special Events & Stewardship (20%)
Annual Gala: Lead the planning and execution of Main Street Theater's annual gala, working with event committees to meet or exceed net revenue targets.
Opening Night & VIP Experiences: Design and execute high-touch stewardship events, including opening night receptions, behind-the-scenes tech rehearsals, and artist dinners to deepen donor engagement. - Operations & Internal Partnership (10%)
Data Integrity: Supervise the development staff (e.g., Development Coordinator or Database Manager) ensuring accurate donor records, gift processing, and acknowledgment timelines in the CRM (e.g., Tessitura, Spektrix, or Raiser's Edge).
Budgeting & Reporting: Establish annual revenue goals and expense budgets; provide regular, transparent progress reports to the Executive Director and the Board Finance Committee.
Partnership with Main Street Theater executive team to support individual and theater initiatives.
Qualifications & Experience
Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience in the non-profit sector, ideally within the performing arts or cultural spaces; some leadership experience preferred.
Local Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the Houston philanthropic community, including local family foundations, corporate giving priorities, and major cultural donors, is highly preferred.
Track Record: Proven success in personally closing major individual gifts, securing corporate sponsorships, and hitting multi-million dollar institutional revenue goals.
Tools: Proficient with donor management software / CRMs and fundraising analytics.
Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; a natural storyteller who can articulately champion Main Street Theater's commitment to challenging audiences, growing local artists, and providing memorable theatrical experiences.
Flexibility: Willingness to work evening and weekend events, specifically during production opening nights and donor receptions.
Collaboration: Support and partner with team members to ensure effective outcomes.
Compensation & Benefits
Commensurate with experience and scaled for a $2.7M budget organization.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid time off (PTO); and complimentary tickets to all Main Street Theater productions and events.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and a tailored cover letter detailing your experience with arts fundraising and your specific interest in the Houston arts community to rudden@mainstreettheater.com.
Deadline: 11/30/26
Location: Houston, TX
Website: https://mainstreettheater.com/
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| Job Category | Jobs |
| Closing Date | 05/19/25 |
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Art Opportunities
As part of an ongoing commitment to promote drawing practices in the visual arts, the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNC Asheville) invites artists to submit entries to the 18th Annual International Juried Exhibition of contemporary drawing.
UNC Asheville seeks to examine drawing as it is practiced and defined by today’s artists. Such an exhibition will demonstrate the continued significance of drawing through conventional and innovative methods. In an effort to support the breadth of contemporary drawing, media is open to any traditional or experimental drawing media, welcoming two- or three-dimensional works, video, and/or installation.
Esteemed Juror & Artist Michael Grimaldi will open the exhibition at UNC Asheville with a lecture on January 15, 2027. Accepted work will be exhibited in UNC Asheville's newly renovated and expanded S. Tucker Cooke Gallery from January 15, 2027, through February 12, 2027.
$2000 in awards will be designated by the Juror. Additionally, a purchase prize award will also be available for the permanent collection of the UNC Asheville Department of Art and Art History. A color catalog will accompany the exhibition.
Deadline: 11/29/26
Location: Asheville, NC
Website: https://opportunities.wearecreativewest.org/opportunity/18199/CAFE
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| Job Category | Opportunities |
| Closing Date | 05/19/25 |
| Location | Location |
| Website | Website |
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
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| Job Category | Opportunities |
| Closing Date | 05/19/25 |
| Location | Location |
| Website | Website |
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 Category | Opportunities |
| Closing Date | 05/19/25 |
| Location | Location |
| Website | Website |
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