Festival Grant Program

The Festival Grant Program, offered by Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), provides financial support of up to $10,000 to individuals, nonprofits, and fiscally sponsored projects organizing arts festivals or artistic components within broader cultural festivals in Houston, Texas. HAA is a local arts and culture agency that administers grants on behalf of the City of Houston through its contract with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA). Funding for this program comes from the City’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and is allocated from cash in hand rather than projected revenues, ensuring greater financial certainty for applicants. This initiative aims to promote Houston’s vibrant cultural landscape by supporting public-facing programming that celebrates artistic expression and strengthens the city’s identity as a diverse and inclusive cultural destination. The program specifically defines a festival as an annual or biannual celebration or immersive experience centered around a unifying theme, featuring curated and varied programming delivered over a condensed timeframe—such as one day or across a week. The funded festival must be publicly accessible and occur within Houston city limits, with priority given to those that encourage inclusion and community engagement. The program supports both large-scale and grassroots efforts that provide meaningful artistic and cultural experiences for local residents and visitors. Grant-supported activities must be ticketed or free, but may not exclude the public. The event must involve a live in-person or virtual public presentation, and organizers are responsible for securing any necessary permits or permissions. Eligible applicants include individuals, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects. All applicants must reside or be headquartered within the Houston city limits and must demonstrate this through appropriate documentation such as utility bills, leases, or government-issued identification. Projects that are exclusively educational in nature or take place outside the city are ineligible. Prohibited expenditures include capital purchases over $250, catering, out-of-city travel, and activities funded by other HOT-funded sources like Miller Outdoor Theatre. Also ineligible are private events, faith-based programming with religious content, and grant requests duplicating previously awarded project content. Applicants must complete an online application form through the HAA Grants Portal. The application requires work samples (up to 10 files), proof of residency or headquarters, and financial documentation, which may be either a 2024 SMU DataArts Funder Report or a budget table provided in the application. Evaluation criteria focus on artistic vibrancy, public benefit, access, and stewardship of public resources. Applicants are assessed on the quality and clarity of their program proposal, the extent of community engagement and inclusivity, and the strength of their promotional and accessibility plans. An additional five points are awarded to applicants who demonstrate investment in artist fees. The grant is scored out of 100 points. Applications for the 2026 Festival Grant Program open on June 16, 2025, and close on July 25, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CDT. The grant term spans January 1 to December 31, 2026. This is not a rolling grant, but it is a recurring opportunity. The next expected cycle is anticipated to open in June 2026. Review is conducted in multiple stages: HAA staff confirm eligibility, followed by a peer panel evaluation, committee review, and final approval by the City of Houston. Final funding decisions and notifications are sent via email, and grant recipients are expected to publicly acknowledge HAA and the City in all materials. Final reports are due within 30 days of the project’s conclusion and must include the event listing URL from the City’s Cultural Events Calendar. Applicants may request technical assistance or attend information workshops through the HAA Support Desk. Staff are available by phone at 713-527-9330, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CDT. Spanish language assistance and disability accommodations are also available upon request. HAA encourages all applicants to reach out with questions, request panel feedback after award notifications, and maintain contact throughout the grant period to ensure compliance and support.

Applicants should use their authentic voice, emphasize their public impact, and ensure artist compensation is clearly shown in the budget.