The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of the Arts (MOA) awarded $223,185 through two competitive grant programs to support 61 artists and nonprofit organizations whose projects will bring arts and cultural experiences to communities across Houston. Administered by Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) on behalf of the Mayor’s Office of the Arts, the grants are funded through a portion of the City’s Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT), meaning every paid stay in a Houston hotel or eligible short-term rental helps generate funding to support the arts. These grants support projects that engage residents and visitors, encourage artistic innovation, and create new opportunities to experience arts and culture throughout the city.
The awards include funding through two distinct grant programs:
City’s Initiative awarded $96,685 to 10 artists and nonprofit organizations for projects that use arts and culture to engage Houstonians and visitors while enhancing Houston’s cultural identity. The program supports projects in three funding areas: Art + Conference Tourism, Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations, and Art + Disaster Resilience Awareness. The 2026 Round 1 cycle received 57 applications.
Let Creativity Happen awarded $126,500 to 51 artists and nonprofit organizations for innovative arts and cultural projects that redefine artistic boundaries, reshape the conversation around arts experiences, and establish unique opportunities to experience public art in Houston. The 2026 Round 1 cycle received 77 applications.
“Arts and culture bring people together in ways that strengthen communities and enrich everyday life,” said Taylor Jackson, CEO of Houston Arts Alliance. “These grant programs help artists and organizations transform creative ideas into experiences that expand access to the arts, foster connection, and contribute to a more vibrant Houston.
Both grant programs are administered through Houston Arts Alliance using an independent peer review process composed of artists, arts professionals, and community representatives. Panelists evaluate applications using standardized criteria to help ensure Hotel Occupancy Tax investments support projects that demonstrate public benefit and economic impact. To serve as a panelist, click here.
See a full list of 2026 Let Creativity Happen Round 1 and 2026 City’s Initiative Round 1 recipients here.
