TACA Pop-Up Grants Program

The TACA Pop-Up Grants, administered by The Arts Community Alliance in Dallas, Texas, are designed to stimulate innovation and inclusion within the local arts ecosystem. Since their inception in August 2020, these grants have awarded over $725,000 to support 147 arts programs and over 1,600 artists. With backing from supporters such as the March Family Foundation and PNC, TACA distributes these bi-monthly awards to recognize artistic programs that deliver impactful, unexpected, and imaginative work rooted in the Dallas area. Grants are offered exclusively to 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations and fiscally sponsored projects that produce or present programming within Dallas County. To be considered for a Pop-Up Grant, projects must demonstrate outstanding performance in three key criteria: Creativity & Innovation, Artistic Impact, and Accessibility & Inclusion. The funding is not open to educational programs inaccessible to the public, prior awardees with the same program, full-season programs, or non-artistic community efforts. Unique among grant programs, the TACA Pop-Up Grants do not require a formal application. Instead, a group of over 60 anonymous local nominators—comprising artists, community leaders, and arts professionals—propose candidates based on programming excellence and alignment with funding criteria. Organizations may also use an online form to submit details about upcoming programs for potential nominator review. Awards are selected bi-monthly by the TACA Pop-Up Grants Committee based on the strength of nominations and project merit. Award amounts vary by organization size. Small- to mid-sized organizations with budgets under $5 million may receive up to $2,500 in unrestricted funds and an additional $5,000 designated for Artist Bonus funds. Larger organizations (over $5 million annual budget) are eligible for the organizational portion only. Artist Bonus funds are distributed by grantee organizations to Key and Supporting Artists based on defined contribution tiers. Key Artists—typically the primary public-facing creatives—receive double the bonus allocated to Supporting Artists, who contribute in production and technical roles. Grantees must submit artist rosters and relevant data through a required survey before funds are disbursed. Distribution of Artist Bonus payments must occur within 30 days of receipt. Grants are announced approximately 10 days after the close of each bi-monthly cycle. The next grant announcements are expected December 17, 2025, following the December 7 nomination deadline respectively. There are no pre-application or concept paper requirements, and past recipients demonstrate a wide variety of artistic disciplines and community reach. For more information or assistance, inquiries can be directed to Yadira Gonzalez, Programs Manager, via email at yadira.gonzalez@taca-arts.org or by phone at 214-520-3930. The most up-to-date guidelines are available in PDF format through the TACA website. Pop-Up Grants continue to empower Dallas-based creatives to pursue bold, resonant, and inclusive artistic visions that enrich the community fabric.

Ensure event qualifies as public-facing, unique, and has not been previously funded; properly categorize artists; submit program before event.