Overview of Grant Programs
Getting Ready to Apply
The Commission classifies all applicants into categories that determine eligibility for specific grant programs. The basic characteristics the Commission uses to determine the appropriate category and level determination are:
- whether the applicant is an individual artist or a nonprofit organization
- the type of organization (i.e., arts, educational, government)
- the annual operating budget of the organization
First-time Applicants:
Nonprofit organizations should email a copy of their IRS letter of determination to accounts@arts.texas.gov. Any other type of organization or individual should email its/their name, title, and organization information to accounts@arts.texas.gov to initiate the account setup process. Know that SAM-UEI numbers are required for all competitive grants.
Verification of TCA Cultural District Organizations for Cultural District Project Eligibility:
Established Arts Organizations, Established Arts Organizations of Color, College Arts Institutions, Government Local Arts Agencies, Local Arts Agencies, and Rural Arts Providers located within a TCA Designated Cultural District must be verified by TCA staff before applying; this process must be completed no later than two weeks preceding the deadline. To be considered for verification:
- The organization must be included in the cultural district managing entity’s comprehensive list of all organizations currently located within that TCA Designated Cultural District. Resident companies of theaters located in a TCA Designated Cultural District may be considered for inclusion.
- TCA staff will then determine if the organization qualifies as an arts organization. Staff will consider the organization’s mission, past and current programs, NTEE code, budget allocations, and professional staff. Organizations that are predominantly non-arts based (i.e., history museum, children’s museum, zoo, botanical garden, science museum), but do some arts programming, are not eligible. Conducting programs, even regularly, in a TCA Designated Cultural District is not sufficient for inclusion in this program.
All applicants must apply online through the TCA grant system. For research purposes only, hard copies of all TCA blank application forms are available.
