“These 2026 awards celebrate the cultural producers who make Austin vibrant, original and unmistakably Austin,” the city said.
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin has awarded more than $24 million to local artists, musicians, cultural spaces and heritage projects as part of the city’s Cultural Funding Awards.
It is the largest investment since the city formed a new department – Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME) – and the first funding shaped by ACME’s Creative Reset initiative, a community‑driven overhaul of the City’s cultural funding system.
The cultural funding programs are primarily supported through Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue, which is authorized by state law to support tourism-related activities including, arts, cultural heritage and music.
More than 731 Austin creatives, organizations, musicians, venues and cultural producers will receive awards this year across ACME’s four major programs: Elevate, Austin Live Music Fund, Creative Space Assistance Program and the Heritage Preservation Grant. The full list can be viewed on the city’s website.
This cycle drew 1,606 full applicants requesting over $67 million, the city said.
“Austin’s creative community is the heartbeat of our city,” said Angela Means, director of ACME. “These 2026 awards celebrate the cultural producers who make Austin vibrant, original and unmistakably Austin. This is more than grantmaking; it’s an investment in our artists, our venues, our heritage and our future. We’re proud to support the people and places who keep our creative ecosystem alive, and we’re equally committed to making this process more transparent, accessible and supportive year‑round.”
The Austin Live Music Fund will distribute $7 million to 399 grantees. The Elevate program, the largest funding category, will support 289 organizations and projects with grants ranging from $4,000 to $80,000, totaling $12.86 million to expand public cultural programming, community arts experiences and creative collaborations across all districts.
“Austin’s artists, musicians, and cultural organizations are at the heart of what makes our city unique. These investments help ensure that the creativity and cultural expression that define Austin continue to thrive,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. “At a time when the world is watching Austin during SXSW, we are proud to demonstrate our commitment to supporting the people and organizations that power our creative economy.”
The next grant opportunity, the Nexus Grant, is now open with $5,000 and $10,000 grants for individual artists and small arts groups. Applications close April 16, 2026.