Let Creativity Happen Grant

Let Creativity Happen is a recurring grant program managed by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) and funded by the City of Houston through the Hotel Occupancy Tax. Designed to support unique, public-facing artistic projects within Houston city limits, the program awards up to $2,500 for projects that promote creativity, community engagement, and cultural vibrancy. These microgrants aim to empower artists, creatives, and organizations to take innovative risks that may not qualify for traditional funding streams. Applicants must be based within the City of Houston and submit documentation verifying their residency or headquarters address. The program accepts proposals from individual artists, creative collectives, nonprofits, and fiscally sponsored projects. All proposals must include a public presentation component — either in-person within Houston or via live virtual events — that is accessible to the general public. Projects must not replicate an applicant’s annual programming or previous LCH-funded initiatives. The grant has three annual rounds. Each round has a specific application window and a corresponding 12-month grant period. For 2025, Round 1 applications were open March 24 to April 22; Round 2 ran from May 26 to June 24; and Round 3 was open August 29 to September 27. Based on this cycle, the next anticipated open date for Round 1 of the 2026 program is March 24, 2026. The current status, as of December 1, 2025, is Forecasted — with no active application round at this moment. Applicants must submit a detailed project description, timeline, and full-cost budget, demonstrating how the grant funds will be used. Emphasis is placed on community impact, artist compensation, innovative artistic value, and public accessibility. Awards are determined through a multi-step review process involving HAA staff, peer review panels, the HAA Grants Committee, and final approval by the City of Houston’s Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Final reporting is required within 30 days of project completion. For more information or assistance, applicants may contact the HAA Grants Team via email at [email protected] or by phone at 713-527-9330, ext. 6. Support is also available in Spanish and for people with disabilities upon request.

Focus on public engagement, innovation, and clear budget use. Do not submit repeat projects. Ensure public access to events.