Fall Arts Respond Performance Support Grant

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA), a state-level arts funding agency, administers the Arts Respond Performance Support grant program as part of its efforts to stimulate the creative economy across Texas. The Commission supports cultural and artistic initiatives that foster economic development and enrich communities through strategic investments. This grant program is designed to provide financial assistance for professional artist fees to eligible organizations that engage performers listed on the Texas Touring Roster. The Touring Roster is curated by the TCA to showcase high-quality Texas-based artists who are available for performances and workshops throughout the state. Arts Respond Performance Support grants aim to reduce the financial barrier for nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, and other eligible Texas-based entities to bring professional arts programming into their communities. Through this initiative, TCA helps expand public access to the arts, particularly in underserved areas or institutions with limited arts funding. The funding provided offsets a portion of the artist's contractual fees and, in some cases, associated costs such as hotel, travel, and per diem—though these must be included in the contract and are subject to TCA approval. In-kind contributions and other indirect costs such as food, alcohol, marketing, or venue rentals are not reimbursable under this program. The grant operates on a non-competitive, quarterly application cycle, with deadlines on August 1, November 1, February 1, and May 1. Each deadline corresponds to an upcoming service period: September 1–December 14, December 15–March 14, March 15–June 14, and June 15–August 31. All applications must be submitted online by the relevant deadline, along with all required attachments. Applications are reviewed through a Quarterly Review Process and applicants are notified approximately two weeks after submission. Final decisions are made at the following Commission meeting. Organizations may submit multiple applications per year but may only receive a total of $12,000 in cumulative support within the TCA's fiscal year (September–August). Funding amounts range from $75 to $8,000, depending on the total artist fees in the submitted contract. TCA uses a sliding scale to calculate its portion of support, ranging from 50% for lower fees to a maximum of 8% for contracts totaling $100,000. A dollar-for-dollar match is required, and the match must be monetary (not in-kind), traceable through the applicant's bank account. Organizations must also meet certain eligibility criteria, including being a Texas-based nonprofit or unit of government with a current IRS designation and compliance with applicable state and federal regulations. Applicants are expected to have fulfilled any previous contractual obligations to the State of Texas and must not be debarred or suspended. Applications are assessed on artistic quality (50 points), capability (25 points), and impact (25 points), emphasizing excellence in artistic presentation, strong administrative planning, and community engagement. Organizations are also required to acknowledge TCA support in their promotional materials and verbally at events. After project completion, recipients must submit a financial report demonstrating that payments were made to the artist in accordance with the contract. The program’s accessible design ensures that organizations of all sizes can benefit, with TCA staff offering optional pre-review of draft applications submitted up to two weeks before each deadline. Applicants with questions may contact the Texas Commission on the Arts by phone at 512-463-5535 or 800-252-9415, or by email via [email protected] for draft reviews. The TCA emphasizes accessibility and transparency and offers accommodations for individuals with disabilities. This grant program is recurring and available quarterly, offering a dependable opportunity for Texas-based organizations to engage with professional artists and expand their cultural programming.

Submit a finalized artist contract with accurate fees; inflated amounts to increase grant awards are prohibited and will disqualify the grant.