The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture provides grant funding to support artists and nonprofit organizations involved in arts and cultural programming. These grants are designed to foster artistic excellence, cultural equity, and access to the arts for all San Antonio residents and visitors. Funding is primarily sourced from the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and the Arts & Entertainment Enhancement Fund, and it is allocated to various grant categories, including artist grants, operational support for nonprofit arts organizations, culturally specific grants, event grants, performing arts production and venue improvement grants, and film festival grants.
The available grants serve different purposes. Artist Grants support individual artists in creating new work, offering funding of $7,500 or $15,000 depending on the scale of the project. Operational Grants provide funding to nonprofit arts organizations producing arts and culture programming, with grants determined based on an organization's operating budget. Culturally Specific Grants are awarded to nonprofits that focus on preserving and promoting the cultural identity of historically underrepresented communities. Event Grants support artistic events that contribute to San Antonio’s cultural scene, providing up to $20,000 per event. Performing Arts Production Costs Grants offer financial support for performing artists and organizations, with awards up to $15,000. Performing Arts Venue Improvement Grants assist in capital improvements for performance spaces, with funding of up to $25,000. Film Festival Grants aim to support San Antonio-based film festivals with a budget-based grant, capped at $15,000.
Eligibility requirements vary by grant category. Artists must be based in San Antonio, demonstrate a history of public artistic work, and meet professional experience requirements. Nonprofit organizations applying for operational or culturally specific grants must be 501(c)(3) entities with a track record of producing arts and culture programming. All grantees must be in good standing with federal, state, and local agencies. Specific demographic and community-based preferences are considered in funding decisions, particularly for programs that promote cultural equity and inclusion.
The grant application process follows a structured timeline, with seasonal openings for applications. Each grant cycle begins with an "Intent to Apply" phase, during which eligibility is confirmed. Eligible applicants are then given access to the full application, followed by a review process conducted by independent panels. Applications are evaluated based on artistic merit, community impact, organizational capacity, and alignment with the Department of Arts & Culture’s funding priorities. Final funding recommendations are reviewed by the Arts Funding Committee, the San Antonio Arts Commission, and, in some cases, the City Council.
Funding is awarded based on application scores and the availability of resources. Artists and organizations that receive funding must comply with grant terms, including performance and reporting requirements. Some programs, such as operational and culturally specific grants, follow a three-year funding cycle with annual renewal requirements. There are restrictions on communication with city officials during the application process to ensure fairness. If an application is denied, an appeals process is available for those who meet specific criteria.
For additional information or assistance with applications, interested individuals and organizations can contact the City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture via email at ArtsFunding@sanantonio.gov or by phone at 210-206-ARTS.
