Artist Grants
The Department of Arts & Culture offers grants to qualifying artists based in San Antonio. These grants support a diverse portfolio of artists in their creation of new original work in the literary arts, media arts, multi-disciplinary arts, performing arts, and visual arts. Offered annually, Artists Grants are available for individual artists as well as those working in collaborations, collectives, and ensembles.
To learn more, review our Artist Grants Request for Applications and Artist Grants FAQs.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Key dates for the FY25 grant cycle:
- January 8, 2024: Intent to Apply Opens at 8am CST
- January 16, 2024: Applicants who meet eligibility criteria will have access to the application at 8am CST
- February 16, 2024: Intent to Apply Closes at 5pm CST
- February 23, 2024: Application Closes at 5pm CST
HOW TO APPLY
The application is a multi-step process:
- Step 1: Create a San Antonio Artist Registry profile by clicking here.
DO NOT CREATE AN ORGANIZATION PROFILE
Note: Grant evaluation panelists will use this profile to review your previous work. Fill out and/or update your profile with as much detail as possible and include images of your work.
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Step 2: Fill out the Intent to Apply by February 16 found on SanAntonio.GoSmart.org.
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Step 3: Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria will then be provided access to the Application, which will also be located in SanAntonio.GoSmart.org. Submit application by 5pm CST on February 23, 2024.
SCHEDULE
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Intent to Apply Open: January 8–February 16, 2024
- Application Open: January 16–February 23, 2024
- Application Review: April–May 2024
- Notify Applicants of Funding Recommendations: May–June 2024
- Arts Funding Committee Approval: June 27, 2024
- San Antonio Arts Commission Approval: July 9, 2024
- FY25 Budget Presentation to Council: August 2024
- FY25 Budget Approval by Council: September 2024
- FY25 Artist Grant Contract Period (creation to showcase): October 2024–March 2026
RESOURCES
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2024 INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTEES
Amy Abrigo, April Medina, Barbara Felix, Beto DeLeón, Brandy González, Catherine Lee, Chibbi Orduna, Courtney Wynn Sheets, Edward Garza Jr., Enedina Irene, Ernest Sauceda, Grace Goen, Guillermina Zabala, Itzel Vilches, Jessica Hawkins, Jimmy James Canales, José Rubén De León, Joseph S Rogers, Josh Cavazos, Juan Carlos Escobedo, Justin Korver, Karen Arredondo, Karla Kopalli, Lisa Morales, Lisa Sosa, Maddie Ramos, Marcy McChesney, Marisela Barrera, Mauro de la Tierra, Maverick Pascal, Melissa Gamez Herrera, Michael "Mijail" Martinez, Miss T*int, Nathan Felix, Nicolás R Valdez, Pamela Martinez, Penelope (Penny) Boyer, Phanie Diaz, Robert Gonzales, Robert Rivera Ojeda, Robert S. García, Rudi Harst, Sabra Booth, Saige Thomas, Sarah Gonzales Busse, Suzy González, Tamara Adira, Tanesha Payne, Theresa Newsome, Valentina Ortiz.
2023 INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTEES
Adel Hernandez, Alejandro Pesina, Alex Ramirez, Alvaro Del Norte, Anel I. Flores, Angela Guerra Walley, Anthony Garcia, Antonio Serna, Ashley Perez, Audrya Flores, Benjamin Ortiz, Bonnie Cisneros, Bria Woods, Carly Garza, Carmela Muguerza, Chloe Eseo, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Georgette Lockwood, Glen Andrews,
Holly Nanes, Jaime Mejia, James E. Sanders, Jr.,
Joan Fabian, Joe Harjo, John Espinoza, Jose Sotelo, Josh Glenn, Julene Franki, Keli Rosa Cabunoc, Laura Varela, Lisa Nigro, Mark Lee Walley, Michael Guerra Foerster, Oscar Alvarado, Pamela Martinez, Phillip Luna, Raisa Melendez, Raul Rene Gonzalez, Ray Santisteban, Reggie Scott Young, Chayito Champion, Satara Askew, Sergio C. Mata, Tamara Adira Say, Tiffany Moreno, Verena Gaudy, Violeta De Leon Davila, Xelena González.
2022 INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTEES
Aminah Decé, Amalia Ortiz, Andrew Gonzales, Anna De Luna, Beau Rodriguez, Bianca Sapet, Brian Bondari, Catherine Lee, Carlos Sanchez de la Garza, Ceiba Ili, Chayito Champion, Chris Sauter, David Ortiz, Deborah Keller-Rihn, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Frank Weysos, George Garza, Jr., Glen Andrews, Grace Goen, Ila Minori, James E. Sanders, Jr., Jenelle Esparza Jennifer Khoshbin, Jessica Hawkins, Jonathan Treviño, José De León, Joshua Kindla, Justin Korver, Laura Varela, Laurel Gibson, Lauri Garcia Jones, Lisa Nigro, Lisette Chavez, Luis Valderas, Marco Ortega, Marisela Barrera, Marissa Ramirez, Michael Guerra Foerster, Michael Ryan, Nathan Felix, Nina Diaz, Noah Peterson, Pamela Martinez, Penelope Boyer, Ray Colao, Ramin Samandari, Reb Mari, Richard Lara, Robb S. Garcia, L. “Rooster” Martinez, Rosa "Rosie" Torres, Sabra Booth, Sarah Fox, Shannon Sionna, Suzy González, Tamara Adira Say, Verónica Castillo Salas, Xelena González.
Events GRANTS
The Department of Arts & Culture offers Events Grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations based in San Antonio. Grants support the presentation, production, and preservation of arts and cultural programs unique to the San Antonio experience and are available on a three-year funding cycle. To learn more, review our Events Grants Request for Applications and Events Grants FAQs.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
- February 12, 2024: Intent to Apply Opens at 8am CST
- February 19, 2024: Applicants who meet eligibility criteria will have access to the application at 8am CST
- March 8, 2024: Intent to Apply Closes at 5pm CST
- March 15, 2024: Application Closes at 5pm CST
STEPS TO APPLY
- Step 1: Create an organizational profile in GoSmart. If you do not have a GoSmart profile, create one.
- Step 2: Complete the Intent to Apply by March 8, 2024 found on GoSmart.
- Step 3: Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria will then be provided access to the Application, which will also be located on GoSmart. Submit application by 5pm CST on March 15, 2024.
RESOURCES
operational & culturally specific GRANTS
The Department of Arts & Culture offers Operational & Culturally Specific Grants to a diverse portfolio of qualifying nonprofit arts and cultural organizations based in San Antonio. Grants are designed to build capacity and support the operational production of exemplary arts and cultural programming. of exemplary arts and cultural programming. To learn more, review our Operational & Culturally Specific Grants Request for Applications and Operational & Culturally Specific Grants FAQs.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
- February 5, 2024: Intent to Apply Opens at 8am CST
- February 12, 2024: Applicants who meet eligibility criteria will have access to the application at 8am CST
- March 1, 2024: Intent to Apply Closes at 5pm CST
- March 22, 2024: Application Closes at 5pm CST
STEPS TO APPLY
- Step 1: Create an organizational profile in GoSmart. If you do not have a GoSmart profile, create one.
- Step 2: Complete the Intent to Apply by March 1, 2024 found on GoSmart.
- Step 3: Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be granted access to the Application, which will also be located on GoSmart. Submit Application by 5pm CST on March 22, 2024.
RESOURCES
The Department of Arts & Culture hosted three information sessions on the application process. Click here to view a recording of an online session.
Questions? Please email us at ArtsFunding@sanantonio.gov
The
Arts Funding Guidelines for Nonprofits & Artists outline the Department of Arts & Culture’s grant opportunities, eligibility, and requirements. Grants are designed to build capacity through artist support, operations, events, special projects, equipment purchases, and capital improvements.
Guidelines are reviewed every three years. This version was informed by a series of community input meetings held in August and September 2023. They were approved by the Arts Funding Committee on November 9, 2023,
San Antonio Arts Commission on November 14, 2023, and City Council on December 12, 2023. Our
What’s New one pager that outlines key changes.
call for panelists
The Department of Arts & Culture seeks members of the creative community to review and evaluate grant applications. The Department’s grant programs are detailed in our Arts Funding Guidelines for Nonprofits & Artists. To learn more about the Panelist role, review our Panelist Request for Applications and Panelist FAQs. >This application is currently closed for the Fiscal Year 2025 grant cycle and will reopen in December 2024 for the Fiscal Year 2026 grant cycle.
HOW TO APPLY
- Create an Individual Profile in GoSmart, our online grant management portal. If you already have an individual profile, confirm your information is accurate.
- Login to GoSmart and apply.
Applications are reviewed and approved by the Arts Funding Committee and San Antonio Arts Commission. Applicants will be notified via email on the status of their application in February. Those selected to be panelists are required to attend virtual training in advance of the application reviews, which will take place in April, May, and June 2024 (dates vary based on grant type). A $300 honorarium is paid to panelists who fulfill their role.
CULTURAL DISTRICT GRANTS
This grant is currently closed. If you represent a San Antonio nonprofit arts organization and are interested in learning more about cultural districts and Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) grant opportunities, check out our
Cultural Districts Toolkit.