AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Cultural Trust, has officially opened the application process for the Texas Women for the Arts grants.
Since its establishment in 2005, Texas Women for the Arts has granted over $4 million to more than 300 Texas arts organizations, positively impacting nearly 3.6 million children. These grants, range from $250,000 to $450,000 annually.
Matthew Hinsley, Executive Director of Austin Classical Guitar, expressed the impact of TWA's support, saying, "Texas Women for the Arts has made a monumental, transformative impact on our ability to serve. During the past decade, ACG Education has grown the state's first and only daily for-credit performing arts courses for incarcerated youth – now serving in five facilities, expanded our teaching partnerships to forty-five school districts, and increased enrollment in Austin ISD guitar beyond both choir and orchestra."
Sandra Boerne, Interim Executive Director of Arts for Rural Texas in Fayetteville, also agreed to the significance of TWA funding, noting, “Funding from Texas Women for the Arts enables us to meet our mission and to provide free arts opportunities, such as visual and performing art programs in Art after School and Fine Art Assemblies, serving approximately 5000 children in Fayette County.”
The grants are awarded annually in the spring after a thorough review process by TWA members. In 2023, TWA distributed over $294,000 in grants to 41 arts programs statewide. The 2024 grant recipients will be unveiled in May 2024 during the 18th Annual TWA Meeting, to be hosted in Austin, Texas.
For Individuals to be considered for the 2023 - 2024 Grant, these application criteria must be followed.
- Applicants must possess a 501(c)(3) designation, with exceptions for religious organizations and city/county/state historical agencies.
- Current grantees are ineligible to apply for two consecutive years, with the option to reapply after a one-year waiting period.
- Applications must be sponsored by a current TWA member. Sponsors must be identified and solicited by the applicant.
- Programs seeking funding must align with TWA's mission to nurture the artist in every Texas child.
Members have the privilege of nominating arts organizations within their region for grant consideration.