Attention all Texas theaters, dance companies, visual arts groups and other similar organizations. Last week, Texas Women for the Arts (TWA) — a statewide giving program of the arts advocacy nonprofit Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT) — opened up its applications on Oct. 1 for its FY26 grant cycle, inviting arts education organizations across Texas to apply for funding.
TWA raises funds and awards grants to select arts organizations in communities across the state. The organization is celebrating 20 years of service in 2025 and has awarded more than 400 grants totaling more than $4.7 million. Since its founding in 2005, TWA has remained a notable philanthropic force of women that works to advance arts education statewide.
Earlier this year, TWA awarded more than $320,000 in grants, investing in community organizations, museums, festivals, after-school programs, summer camps and more that deliver programming for Texas children across artistic disciplines like music, visual arts, performing arts, dance, creative writing, and theater.
Three North Texas organizations were named as recipients back in May. Those include the North Texas Performing Arts in Plano, Fort Worth’s Stage West and Duncanville’s The MacMillan Institute which prepares public school teachers and administrators at all levels to learn, teach, and lead in the “spirit of liberal learning,” the philosophy and modes of “liberal” education conceived and practiced by Drs. Louise and Donald Cowan.
These grants are vital in helping arts and community organizations provide Texas students with quality education and creative outlets. The Trust’s 2025 State of the Arts Report (SOTAR), related the positive benefits of the arts on Texas’ economy, health and education, finding that students who are deeply engaged in the arts are:
- Up to 46 percent more likely to pass the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
- Twice as likely to meet Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate (AP/IB) exam benchmarks
- 20 percent more likely to earn dual-credit achievements.
Each year, grants are awarded in the spring following a rigorous review process by TWA members. The 2025-26 grant cycle is open now through Dec 1, 2025.
Eligibility criteria for the FY26 grant cycle:
- Applicants must have a 501(c)(3) designation with the following exceptions: religious organizations and city/county/state historical agencies.
- Current grantees are not eligible to apply after two (2) consecutive years of funding. Applicants may reapply after a waiting period of one year.
- Applications must be sponsored by a current TWA member. Please note: The Texas Cultural Trust does not assign sponsors. It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify and solicit a TWA member to sponsor their application.
- All applicants must have active registration and be in good standing with the Texas Secretary of State.
- To be eligible for consideration, the program for which applicants are seeking funding must reflect the mission of TWA: To awaken and nurture the artist in every Texas child.
To learn more about the grant program and apply, vist TxCulturalTrust.org.
–Rich Lopez
