Funding

Arts Education Relief Grant

The Arts Education Relief Grant offers $25,000 grants to Austin’s diverse non-profit arts education providers. Grant funds may cover expenses such as salary support, stipends for artists and contractual personnel, facilities costs, personal protective equipment, as well as expenses related to marketing and promotion. Application Open: August 8 at 10 a.m. - September 12 at 5 p.m. 

Business Expansion Incentive Program

The City may award an incentive for expansion projects to companies who create new jobs plus provide access to employment and community benefits. Considerations include: middle-skill jobs at above-industry standard compensation, hiring populations facing economic and socio-economic hardships that pose as a barrier to employment, and realizable community benefits beyond tax revenue.

Cultural Arts Funding 

The Economic Development Department’s Cultural Arts Funding Program supports cultural arts programs for the Austin community by contracting with arts organizations for specific services.

Family Business Loan Program

The Family Business Loan Program is a public-private partnership between the City of Austin, HUD, and participating private lenders to offer low-interest loans to qualified small businesses that are expanding and creating jobs. Our mission to enable existing local businesses to expand and create jobs, revitalize communities, increase the tax base of the City of Austin, and enhance the overall quality of life for Austin residents.

Film & Digital Media Production Incentives

Incentives and funding resources for filmmakers.

Heritage Preservation Grant

The Heritage Preservation Grant promotes tourism through historic preservation projects and activities inclusive of all stories rooted in history and heritage. Heritage Preservation Grants are preservation grants for capital, planning, educational, or marketing projects at historically designated sites. Application Open: August 8 at 10 a.m. and closes September 22 at 5 p.m. 

Performance Opportunities

From cultural events, to outdoor concerts, to film screenings, the City of Austin provides Austin area professional musicians and bands, dancers, and filmmakers paid performance opportunities for live and virtual City events.

Veteran Business Loan Initiative

The Veteran Business Loan is part of the Family Business Loan Program, a public-private partnership between the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which offers a low-interest rate loan and low borrower equity requirements to help create or expand a business.