Texas has the nation’s largest rural population, with more than 4 million rural residents. Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) recognizes that arts and cultural activities are thriving all across our state. We also know there are challenges in getting services into rural communities. There are very few nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities, and the ones that do exist may not be aware of their opportunities with TCA and other funders. We have opportunities designed to serve these communities and are interested in ways to better serve rural Texans.
SERVICES
TCA can help you bring visiting artists to your community.
All Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and governmental entities are able to access our Performance Support grants to help with the cost of bringing in an artist from the TCA Texas Touring Roster to do performances and/or activities. The roster is a searchable list of affordable ($150 on up) high-quality artists who are willing to travel to other communities to perform, create murals, and/or conduct hands-on arts programs in the community and schools. It is a simple application process based on the dates of the performance. To apply, get set up with an online account and visit with TCA Program Staff.
For ideas on how to use the Texas Touring Roster, watch this video:
TCA may be able to designate your organization as a Rural Arts Provider.
In rural counties where there is a lack of art organizations, TCA will allow governmental or nonprofit organizations that have a record of providing quality arts programming in their community to be considered Rural Arts Providers. These organizations may be libraries, parks, schools, other nonprofit organizations, or departments of municipal, county, state, or federal government. Rural Arts Providers are eligible to apply for Arts Respond Project grants. If you are interested and think you may be eligible, please contact accounts@arts.texas.gov
TCA can help with grant applications.
TCA staff are available to review your draft grant applications and provide you with feedback to strengthen your proposal. We offer grant writing workshops and webinars to help you achieve success with your TCA grant proposal.
TCA can help you create and grow your arts program.
TCA has a variety of resources and programs to help you create a strong and viable arts program. Staff can consult with you on specific questions or issues.
TCA can help you develop your arts or cultural organization.
TCA staff are available to consult with your organization about issues like nonprofit board development, fundraising, strategic planning, cultural tourism, and marketing. We also offer online resources on these topics.
TCA can help you make your community an arts destination.
TCA staff are available to consult with your local government, organizations, and other stakeholders to determine strategies to harness the arts for community development and revitalization. TCA designates cultural districts in cities across 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. We can also connect you with rural organizations in your area and, our state tourism partners.
Please contact TCA staff to get started.
INITIATIVES
Rural Tour Outreach
Since 2009, TCA has been giving grants to artists from the Texas Touring Roster to provide performances and activities in rural and geographically underserved Texas communities. TCA sends the artists out to introduce rural communities to the programs and services of the agency. These high-quality performances have included Grammy Award winners, Texas State Poet Laureates, professional theater and dance companies, and more. The tours are offered for free to the communities that host the artists at festivals, libraries, parks, in schools, and beyond. Through this program, we hope to reach all Texans and connect them with TCA’s programs and services, including our Performance Support grant program. If your rural community is interested in hosting a TCA rural tour, please contact our staff.
Below is a photo from Brave Little Company, a theater company on the Texas Touring Roster during a recent rural tour. It is one of over 1,000 performances supported by TCA through this initiative.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TCA’s Free Professional Development Initiative
TCA staff host the TCA Speaker Series each quarter on Zoom to provide constituents with free professional development that addresses the needs of Texas arts organizations. All topics are selected using constituent feedback. Past topics have included grant writing, approaching foundations, and fundraising boards. To explore past webinars, you can visit our Vimeo page free of charge.Sign up for our email updates to receive invitations to upcoming TCA Speaker Series events.
Review Grants for TCA
Volunteering to be a TCA evaluator is a great way to learn more about TCA’s grant programs and guidelines, as well as the Texas arts landscape. Most evaluation panels are conducted online. Fill out this form and email a completed copy and your resume/bio to nominations@arts.texas.gov. You can also mail these documents to:
Texas Commission on the Arts
PO Box 13406
Austin, TX 78711‐3406
