Houston, TX – The City of Houston and the Houston Arts Alliance are proud to announce the recipients of the first round of the 2025 Let Creativity Happen and City’s Initiative grant programs, awarding $245,500 to 60 artists, collectives, and organization projects taking place across Houston.

A total of 47 awards in the amount of $117,500 have been awarded for the Let Creativity Happen grant program and 13 awards in the sum of $128,000 have been granted for the City’s Initiative grant program. These investments ensure creative and artistic works continue to thrive across the city. Sustaining Houston’s legacy of being a place where artists can flourish and reinforcing the city’s commitment to cultural vitality citywide.

Building on this commitment, Taylor Jackson, CEO of Houston Arts Alliance, emphasized the long-lasting impact these grants have: “Every year we see how these grants open doors for innovative projects and lifelong cultural learning opportunities. Our artists inspire, challenge, and connect us. Investing in them is investing in the future of Houston. These 60 recipients represent the incredible diversity and talent that defines our city’s creative landscape.”

The funds were awarded through two competitive grant programs administered by Houston Arts Alliance and funded by a portion of the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT),

Let Creativity Happen is a competitive grant program that opens three times per year and encourages artists, creative individuals, and organizations to take creative risks that may not qualify for more traditional funding opportunities. This program supports innovative and experimental artistic endeavors that push creative boundaries.

The City’s Initiative application period is also open three times per year, with grant funding falling into three categories: Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations, Art + Disaster Resilience Awareness, and Art + Conference Tourism. These grants specifically target projects that enhance Houston’s cultural infrastructure and community resilience.

After a thorough application review process by an independent review panel, the 60 grants totaling $245,500 were recommended for funding through a competitive evaluation process. Grant categories were reviewed during panel sessions held in June 2025, with independent panelists reviewing a total of 99 eligible applications.

All grants administered by Houston Arts Alliance support Houston-based artists and arts organizations and prioritize funding to artists and arts organizations that engage communities throughout the city.

The next opportunity to apply for City of Houston funded grants through the Let Creativity Happen and City’s Initiative grant programs opens on August 29 and closes September 27, 2025.

For a full list of grantees, award amounts, and project summaries, visit the Houston Arts Alliance grants page at https://houstonartsalliance.com/grantees/.