Texas Women for the Arts (TWA), an arts education grant program under the Texas Cultural Trust, has opened applications for the 2024 cycle. The annual grants support diverse artistic disciplines including music, dance, visual arts, and theater.
TWA leadership stresses the tangible impacts of the grants, which build vibrant arts communities and unlock creative potential in Texas youth.
Established in 2005, TWA’s mission is to “awaken and nurture the artist in every Texas child” by providing grants to organizations statewide. Since its inception, the giving circle has awarded more than $4 million in grants to increase youth access to arts education, the organization says.
In June, TWA awarded over $294,000 in grants to 41 organizations across Texas. The grants will support arts education programs in the 2023-2024 year.
In Dallas-Fort Worth, recipients included Amphibian Stage, Fort Worth; Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington; Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth; Casa Mañana, Fort Worth; Dallas Symphony Association, Dallas; TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND, Dallas; and Van Cliburn Foundation, Fort Worth.
Past grant recipients represent leading museums, theaters, dance troupes, music programs, and more.
TWA grant applications for 2024
Grant applications for 2024 opened October 1, and the deadline to apply is December 1. Eligible organizations include nonprofits with 501(c)3 status, governmental agencies, and religious institutions. Current TWA grantees cannot reapply after two consecutive years of funding, but may apply again after one year.
A key requirement is securing sponsorship from a current TWA member, according to the organization. The Trust does not assign sponsors, so applicants must identify and directly request sponsorship from a member. There are over 200 members statewide, including philanthropic leaders and arts advocates.
Applying organizations must reflect TWA’s core mission of supporting arts education programming for Texas children.
TWA grants provide critical support in a state that ranks 46th in per capita public arts funding. The Texas Cultural Trust was founded in 1995 to increase private funding for the arts and supplement low public investment. TWA formed in 2005 as a giving circle under the Trust specifically focused on children’s arts education.
The review process examines the merit, management, and impact of applying organizations and programs. Criteria include: reaching underserved children, community involvement, program quality, and educational outcomes.
The application portal and full guidelines, criteria, and sponsorship info can be found here.
In a statement, Cheryl Votzmeyer-Rios, 2023 TWA grants chair, said the program is an “unwavering source of inspiration and provides crucial funding to nurture the artistic spirit within our communities.”
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