TCA has several upcoming application deadlines. The TCA staff is happy to discuss your goals and eligibility to determine which programs are right for you. You may also request that a TCA staff member review your application and provide feedback. Ideally, these requests would be made at least two weeks before the application deadline.

Grant Program: Arts Respond Project

Arts Respond Project grants provide project assistance grants to nonprofit arts organizations on a short-term basis and may include administrative costs directly related to the project. Projects must address one of the following priority areas: economic development, education, health & human services, public safety & criminal justice, or natural resources & agriculture.

Activity dates must be: Between April 1, 2024 and August 31, 2024
Application deadline: Midnight on January 16, 2024
Application form: Online

Application Limit: Organizations may submit one application for this deadline. Organizations should not submit more than one application addressing the same priority area per fiscal year.

Resources: Grant guidelines, contact TCA staff

Designation Program: Touring Roster Inclusion

Texas-based nonprofits, individuals, universities, and unincorporated/for-profit groups providing arts performances apply to be included on the 2024-2026 Texas Touring Roster. See separate article in this newsletter.

Application deadline: January 31, 2024

Application form: On Submittable

Resources: Program guidelines, FAQ, contact TCA staff

High Schools: Poetry Out Loud

Time is running out for high schools across the state to participate in the Poetry Out Loud program. Interested educators should sign up here so they can receive materials to help them promote and conduct the program during the fall semester. Full information on this free national program is online here.

The Poetry Out Loud recitation contest is a national project of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. This exciting program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. High school students memorize poems and perform them in competition. Each participating high school will hold its competition to determine its school winner by December 15, 2023. The school winner will compete at the state virtual semi-finals competition in January 2024. 

At the state finals level, the winner and runner up receive cash awards and their school libraries receive money to help them buy poetry books. The state winner will represent Texas in the national competition, which has a pool of $50,000 in scholarships for students and cash awards for schools. More information on the state competition is here.