Texas doesn't do anything small. The state has something like 30 million people, and the music scene reflects that scale. Austin alone has more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the country. Houston has one of the most diverse music scenes in America. Dallas-Fort Worth is its own massive market. And San Antonio has deep Tejano and conjunto traditions.
Point is: Texas has a lot of musicians. Which means a lot of competition for funding. But it also means Texas has built out a pretty robust ecosystem of support—if you know where to look.
From the research I've done and the artists I've connected with, the common thread is that the state-level funding (Texas Commission on the Arts) can be tricky for individual musicians, but the city-level programs—especially in Austin—are genuinely accessible. Here's the breakdown.
Texas Music Funding Landscape
Here's how the Texas funding ecosystem breaks down:
| Level | Primary Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| State | Texas Commission on the Arts | Organizations, touring artists |
| Austin | AACME (City of Austin) | Individual artists, public projects |
| Houston | Houston Arts Alliance | Organizations, community projects |
| Dallas | Office of Arts & Culture | Organizations, cultural programming |
| National | MusicBoost, foundations | Individual artists anywhere |
The key thing to understand: Texas Commission on the Arts funding mostly flows to organizations, not individuals. But city programs (especially Austin) are more accessible to solo artists.
Texas Commission on the Arts
TCA is the state arts agency, distributing state and federal arts funding. Here's what's relevant for musicians:
Arts Respond: Performance Support
This program funds bringing touring artists to Texas communities. The catch: it's for presenters (venues, schools, organizations), not the artists themselves.
- Amount: $75 - $8,000 per event; up to $12,000/year per organization
- Match requirement: 1:1 (organization must match the grant)
- Artists must be on the Texas Touring Roster
How this helps you as an artist: Get on the Texas Touring Roster. Once you're listed, venues and schools can use TCA funding to book you. It's an indirect path to funding, but a legitimate one.
Texas Touring Roster
Being on the Touring Roster means organizations can access TCA grants to present your work. Application deadline is typically February.
This is worth the effort if you tour regionally. Schools, community centers, and small venues often can't afford to book artists without grant support. Being on the roster makes you bookable.
Arts Create & Arts Respond Project
These grants support organizations' operations and specific projects. If you're connected with a nonprofit music organization, these are worth exploring.
Since TCA grants mostly go to organizations, the smart play for individual artists is to either (1) get on the Touring Roster, or (2) partner with nonprofits who can apply on your behalf. Many Texas arts organizations serve as fiscal sponsors.
Austin: Live Music Capital Funding
Austin takes its "Live Music Capital" title seriously. The city has actual funding programs for musicians—not just lip service.
AACME (Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment)
This is Austin's cultural funding arm. Key programs for musicians:
Nexus Grants
- Amount: $5,000 or $10,000
- Purpose: Public arts/music/creative projects
- Cycles: Opens twice yearly (Spring and Fall rounds)
- Individual artists can apply
Nexus is one of the more accessible grants for individual Austin musicians. Projects need some public-facing component, but that can be a performance, installation, community workshop, etc.
Elevate Grants
Career development and capacity-building for Austin creatives. Opens Summer 2026.
MusicBoost: National Grants for Texas Artists
$2,000 monthly grants with a simple application. No fiscal sponsor required—we fund individual musicians directly.
Learn About MusicBoostAustin Music Foundation
AMF offers various programs for Austin musicians, including education, mentorship, and occasional direct support. Worth keeping on your radar.
HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians)
Not a grant program, but HAAM provides healthcare services for Austin musicians who qualify. If you're uninsured and playing gigs in Austin, this is a significant resource that frees up money for your music.
Private Austin Programs
Some corporate-backed opportunities worth knowing:
- Sounds Better with Tito's/Briscoe Grant: $10,000 grants for emerging artists who performed at ACL Festival. This one's highly specific but substantial if you qualify.
Houston Opportunities
Houston has the most diverse population of any major US city, and its music scene reflects that—everything from hip-hop to zydeco to classical to Tejano.
Houston Arts Alliance
HAA manages arts funding for the City of Houston. Programs include:
- Operating Support — For established arts organizations
- Project Support — For specific arts projects
- Individual Artist Grants — Periodic programs supporting Houston-based artists
Check HAA's website for current cycles. Their individual artist programs aren't always running, but when they are, they're accessible to musicians.
Houston Music Foundation
HMF focuses on supporting Houston's music ecosystem—venues, musicians, and music businesses. They've had various grant programs over the years.
Cultural Arts Council of Houston
Another local resource for Houston artists. Programs vary, so check their current offerings.
Dallas Music Grants
Dallas Office of Arts & Culture
Dallas has funding programs for arts organizations and cultural programming. Individual artist programs are less common, but the Dallas Arts District and various cultural organizations offer opportunities.
- CultureMap — Cultural programming support
- Various project grants — Check the Office of Arts & Culture website
Dallas-Fort Worth Opportunities
The DFW metroplex has a growing independent music scene. The Arts Council of Fort Worth offers grants to Tarrant County artists, and several community foundations serve the region.
San Antonio Music Grants
San Antonio has a strong Tejano and conjunto music tradition, plus a growing indie scene. The city's Department of Arts & Culture is increasingly investing in local musicians.
San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture
The city's cultural funding arm offers grants for arts organizations and cultural programming. Individual artist opportunities are growing—check their website for current cycles.
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
One of the largest community-based arts organizations in the U.S. for Chicano/Latino arts. They offer programs supporting Latino/a artists including musicians, and have deep roots in the San Antonio music community.
San Antonio Area Foundation
The community foundation manages various funds that support local arts and culture, including grants that can benefit musicians.
Statewide & Regional Arts Councils in Texas
Beyond the big cities, Texas has a network of regional arts councils that distribute grants—often with significantly less competition than Austin or Houston programs.
Regional Arts Councils Worth Exploring
- Arts Council of Fort Worth — Grants for Tarrant County artists
- El Paso Community Foundation — Arts funding for West Texas
- Corpus Christi Arts Community Alliance — Coastal Bend region
- Lubbock Arts Alliance — West Texas/Panhandle area
- Waco Cultural Arts Fest — Central Texas opportunities
These statewide and regional opportunities often have fewer applicants, which means better odds—even if the amounts are smaller. Don't overlook them.
National Grants for Texas Artists
Remember that Texas artists are also eligible for every national grant program. State-level complexities shouldn't stop you from applying elsewhere.
MusicBoost
Our $2,000 monthly grants are open to independent musicians anywhere in the US, including Texas. No fiscal sponsor required, no organizational partnership needed—we fund individuals directly.
This can be especially useful for Texas artists frustrated by TCA's organizational focus. You can apply to MusicBoost as an individual while simultaneously pursuing local Austin/Houston opportunities.
Other National Options
- Sweet Relief Musicians Fund — Emergency assistance
- ASCAP/BMI Foundation — Various programs for registered songwriters
- Genre foundations — Jazz Foundation of America, Blues Foundation, etc.
"Texas has a lot of resources if you dig. I got an AACME Nexus grant for a community music project, then used MusicBoost to help with recording. Stack 'em up."
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas musicians can apply for Texas Commission on the Arts grants (Performance Support, Arts Create, Arts Respond), Austin AACME Nexus grants ($5,000-$10,000), Houston Arts Alliance programs, and various local opportunities. National grants like MusicBoost ($2,000 monthly) are also available to Texas residents.
Yes, Austin has several local funding sources including AACME Nexus grants ($5,000 or $10,000 for public arts/music projects), Elevate grants, and programs from the Austin Music Foundation. The Sounds Better with Tito's program also offers $10,000 grants to emerging artists who performed at ACL.
Most TCA grants require applicants to be nonprofits, schools, or government entities. Individual musicians typically need to partner with an eligible organization or use a fiscal sponsor. However, getting on the Texas Touring Roster can lead to performance opportunities funded through TCA grants.
Yes. San Antonio musicians can apply for funding through the San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center (especially strong for Latino/a artists), the San Antonio Area Foundation, and statewide programs through the Texas Commission on the Arts. National grants like MusicBoost are also available to San Antonio residents.
Texas has regional arts councils across the state that offer grants with less competition than major city programs. Key ones include Arts Council of Fort Worth, El Paso Community Foundation, Corpus Christi Arts Community Alliance, and Lubbock Arts Alliance. Check your local council first—they often prioritize local artists.
Apply for a MusicBoost Grant
$2,000 monthly grants for Texas musicians and artists nationwide. No fiscal sponsor required.