Elevate Grant
Nexus Application Deadline: May 13, 2024 at 7 pm CST
Elevate is designed to support the creation of culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content for the public. It supports the creative, administrative, and operational expenses incurred while producing creative activities and events for Austin and its tourists.
The 2024 Elevate Grant application is anticipated to open in mid-June. More information will be updated on this page and the City of Austin Elevate Website when it is available.
If you are a current awardee, see our Grant Administration Updates page for information about our payment runs. See our FAQ for information on reporting requirements.
Resources for Elevate Grant Applicants
By the Numbers
Elevate Grant Applicants and Awardees
Established by the City of Austin, the Elevate Grant provides an ongoing budget for for arts organizations, individual artists, and creative businesses that produce culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content. See statistics and details from the City of Austin Economic Development Department for the 2023 Elevate Grant.
Learn More About the Other City of Austin Grants That Create Austin Administers
Austin Live Music Fund
This fund was established by City of Austin and provides an ongoing budget for cultural funding programs for Austin’s music industry.
Nexus Grant
Grants for new and emerging local small organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses to produce creative public projects.
Thrive Grant
Provides focused investment to sustain and grow arts organizations that are deeply rooted in and reflective of Austin’s diverse cultures.
Heritage Preservation Grant
Promotes tourism through historic preservation projects and activities inclusive of all stories rooted in history and heritage.
Creativity should be prioritized in our city – creating vibrant neighborhoods, social impact, sustainable economics, and job opportunities. By working together, we can enrich the lives of all who live in and visit our vibrant city.
See the Impact of the Elevate Grant
Browse our calendar of local events that have been funded by grants – including Elevate – from the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department.
Elevate Grant
Applications for the Elevate Grant were accepted from April 2 – May 16, 2023. Please check back in March 2024 to find out more information regarding when applications will be open for this year’s grant cycle.
If you want to learn about who is eligible, navigate HERE and scroll down to the section that details, “Applicant Eligibility”. Click on the down caret symbol that looks like this “V”. That will expand the section and provide more detail about eligibility.
If you want to learn about what you can spend with your award, navigate HERE and scroll down to the section that details, “Eligible Activities and Expenses”. Click on the down caret symbol that looks like this “V”. That will expand the section and provide more detail about eligibility.
You should have received an award confirmation from the Long Center in August of this year. The Long Center has also been reaching out to awardees in the subsequent weeks to do several things:
- Verify payment details
- So we can get your money to the correct bank account
- Get a signed grant agreement
- This is a contract between the awardee and the Long Center.
- It is not a negotiable step in the program as it is a program requirement required by our contract with the City of Austin
- Ensure that you have the proper insurance coverage
- This is also a program requirement. Based on your answers to the Insurance Questionnaire, some insurance coverage may need to be secured prior to your event
- IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED COMMUNICATION FROM THE LONG CENTER, CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT.
According to the City of Austin’s Payment Schedule, your payment distribution is:
- Round 1 – 50% of your total award upon completion of all necessary paperwork
- Round 2 – 40% of your total award after you:
- Take a Miles Partnership Class; OR
- Post to Visit Austin
- These requirements will be verified by Cultural Arts Division staff and confirmation of these actions will be sent to Long Center to begin payment process.
- Round 3 – 10% of your total award after:
- Cultural Arts Division staff has emailed all awardees the requirements for payment and reporting.
- Once all reporting has been verified, the Long Center will confirm with City of Austin that all requirements have been met and initiate payment.
The vast majority of awardees who have returned their completed paperwork should have received their Round 1 payment already. If you have not, please reach out to us. We have a dedicated email and phone number with a team of staff available to assist you. Here is our contact information:
Phone: 512-457-5139
Email: cityofaustingrants@thelongcenter.org
Round 2 payments have already begun for those who have completed a Miles Partnership class OR posted their event to the Visit Austin website. This is being verified by Cultural Arts Division Staff. Awardees can only receive Round 2 payment once they have also completed the paperwork necessary for a Round 1 payment. If you have questions about what you should be submitting, please use the contact information above for help.