Fresh Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Houston artists with opportunities to build knowledge, amplify resources, and connect communities.
This report should reflect the 2025 fiscal year (January - December 2025). The report is an annual requirement for all fiscally sponsored projects at Fresh Arts and is due no later than January 31, 2026. Failure to submit this form will put a hold on your fiscal sponsorship account and funds will be withheld until submitted. If you have any questions, please contact Fresh Arts' Fiscal Sponsorship Manager at fiscalsponsorship@fresharts.org.
Fiscal Sponsorship Applications – Currently Closed
Applications are temporarily being accepted on a case-by-case basis; however, only pre-approved projects that have met with our team may submit an application.
Before You Apply
Please review the Fiscal Sponsorship FAQs and schedule a meeting with the Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator (by emailing fiscalsponsorship@fresharts.org) before the 15th of the month. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis with deadlines on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
A $25 non-refundable application fee is required for your application to be reviewed. You can pay the fee through our payment page.
Application Review Process
Fiscal sponsorship applications are reviewed quarterly by a committee, with final recommendations subject to approval by the Fresh Arts Board of Directors. Please allow sufficient time for this approval process before you begin fundraising for your project.
If you already have a budget, mission statement, and project description prepared, the application should take approximately 30–45 minutes to complete. Click here to download a budget template for your application
Important Note
Fresh Arts is a small organization with limited capacity to support fiscally sponsored projects. If our program reaches capacity, we reserve the right to decline otherwise eligible applications or temporarily close the application process.
Questions: fiscalsponsorship@fresharts.org
MidtownHOU Micro Arts Grant Application
Cycle 1: Art That Works
Supporting functional public art that enhances everyday experiences in Midtown Houston.
Open to: Individual Artists, Arts Organizations, and Fiscally Sponsored Projects
Award Categories:
- Eight (8) $2,500 grants for individual artists
- Two (2) $5,000 grants for arts organizations
Application Deadline: February 1, 2026, by 11:59 PM
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Summary
The 2026 midtownHOU Arts Micro Grant Cycle 1 invites artists and arts organizations to propose functional public art projects under the theme Art That Works. This cycle supports creative works that serve a practical purpose, such as seating, shade, lighting, wayfinding, or other amenities that enhance how people experience Midtown’s public spaces. Art That Works encourages artists to imagine inventive, functional enhancements to public spaces that residents and visitors can use, experience, and enjoy every day.
Cycle 1 prioritizes small to medium scale, community centered projects designed for everyday public use. A total of $30,000 will be awarded through eight $2,500 grants for individual artists and two $5,000 grants for arts organizations. All projects must be free, publicly accessible, located in Midtown Houston, and completed by July 5, 2026.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States and are responsible for securing all permissions and permits, as well as for fabrication, installation, safety, durability, and short term maintenance. Certain applicants and project types are not eligible, including capital improvements, fundraisers, academic programs, and projects outside Houston city limits. Applications are open January 5 - February 1, 2026, with awards announced the week of February 16, 2026.
About Midtown Houston
Midtown Houston is where creativity, culture, and community converge in the heart of the city. Designated as a Cultural Arts & Entertainment District by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2012, Midtown has blossomed into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood known for its iconic cultural landmarks, six lush parks, and more than 90 arts organizations. From local galleries to sidewalk festivals, the arts aren’t just a feature of Midtown—they’re part of the fabric.
Through the midtownHOU Arts Micro Grants Program, we’ve proudly invested over $100,000 into local artists and arts organizations, bringing bold public art and creative placemaking projects to life across the district. Whether you're here to explore, create, or connect, Midtown Houston is a place that celebrates expression, champions diversity, and always makes space for every voice in our evolving story
Project Eligibility
“Art That Works” encourages artists to imagine creative, functional enhancements to public spaces—artworks that residents and visitors can use, experience, and enjoy daily.
Eligible project types include, but are not limited to:
- Seating
- Shade structures
- Lighting enhancements
- Wayfinding or directional art
- Interactive installations
- Public-use amenities
- Improvements to the environment built
Projects must be beautiful, inventive, community-centered, and genuinely useful. Projects should be small to medium in scale and appropriate to the available funding for Cycle 1. Applicants are encouraged to propose creative, human-scale functional art elements rather than large infrastructure or capital projects.
Funding Available
The Midtown Cultural Arts & Entertainment District will award a total of $30,000 in Cycle 1 grants:
- Eight (8) grants of $2,500 for individual artists
- Two (2) grants of $5,000 for arts organizations
Projects must align with the theme "Art That Works" and be designed for public use and visibility within Midtown Houston.
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be legally eligible to work in the United States
- Apply as an individual artist or a 501(c)(3) arts organization
- Propose a project that is public, free, and accessible
- Complete the project by July 5, 2026 (no extensions)
Not Eligible:
- Board or family members of Midtown Management District, Midtown Redevelopment Authority, TIRZ #2, or Midtown Parks Conservancy
- Projects inconsistent with Texas Tourism/HOT fund regulations
- Academic programs, classes, or workshops
- Fundraisers or galas
- Activities outside Houston city limits
- Religious programming or works with primary religious intent
- Capital improvements or unrelated equipment purchases
- Catering, meals, or hospitality costs
- Projects containing obscene or inappropriate content (Texas Penal Code §43.21)
2026 Cycle 1 Timeline
- Application Opens: January 5, 2026
- Deadline for Questions: January 20, 2026
- Application Deadline: February 1, 2026 at 11:59pm
- Artist Announcement: Week of February 16, 2026
- Project Completion Deadline: July 5, 2026 (No exceptions)
Project Location, Permissions & Permitting Requirements
Applicants are responsible for securing all permissions, approvals, permits, and legal documentation needed to complete their project.
This includes:
- Property owner approval
- Written installation permission
- Any required City of Houston permits
- Any site-use fees or special requirements
This requirement applies to:
- Public spaces
- Privately owned or managed property
- Midtown-owned or Midtown-managed spaces
Important: Midtown-owned property is NOT automatically approved. All locations must be:
- Reviewed
- Evaluated
- Formally approved in writing by Midtown
If a proposed site cannot be approved, Midtown may require the artist to:
- Propose an alternate site, or
- Modify the project to meet safety or feasibility standards.
Installation & Fabrication Responsibility
Applicants are fully responsible for all aspects of installation, including:
- Fabrication
- Installation labor
- Hardware, materials, and rentals
- Engineering or safety considerations
- Labor agreements or contracts
- All related costs
Midtown does not install artwork unless expressly approved in writing.
Durability, Safety & Maintenance Requirements
All projects must use materials appropriate for outdoor, long-term exposure in Houston’s climate. Artists must ensure:
- Structural stability
- Weather-resistant and durable materials
- Public safety and accessibility
- A short-term maintenance plan
- Repairs of any damage within the first 30 days
Documentation & Promotion Requirements
Selected grantees must provide:
- High-resolution images of the completed project
- 3–5 in-progress photos
- Optional short video clips
- Final written project summary
Grantees must provide Midtown 4–6 weeks’ notice ahead of activation, installation, or public unveiling.
All promotional graphics using Midtown branding must be submitted for approval. Grantees must participate in social promotion and tag Midtown in relevant posts.
Payment Structure
- 50% of grant funds released upon execution of contract + submission of W-9 and Form 1295
- 50% released after final documentation and installation completion Expenditures outside the approved scope will not be reimbursed.
Final Report Requirement
Grantees must submit a final written report within 14 days of completion including:
- Project summary
- Community engagement or impact
- Photographs or videos
- Budget reconciliation
- Lessons learned
Failure to submit the report may delay or forfeit final payment.
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Application Guidelines
General Information
- Applicant Name (For individuals: full name. For organizations: organization name and main contact person)
- Contact Information (Email, phone number, and mailing address)
- Website and Social Media Links (If applicable)
- Are you applying as an individual artist or an arts organization?
- Artistic Medium (Select from: Sculpture / 3D, Industrial / Product Design, Installation Art, Architecture / Spatial Design, Light / Digital Work, Other)
Project Details
- Project Title: Provide a clear, descriptive title for your proposed project
- Project Description (Max 500 words): Briefly describe your project, including the proposed concept, location, and goals. Explain how the project aligns with the Art That Works theme and how it will function as a public, usable artwork in Midtown Houston.
- Functional Benefit (Max 300 words): Describe the practical function of your project and how it will enhance everyday experiences in public space. Explain how people will use or interact with the work and why this function is needed in the proposed location.
- Community Impact (Max 300 words): Explain how the project will foster connection, engagement, or accessibility within the community. Identify the intended audience and describe how residents, visitors, or specific groups will experience the work.
- Long-Term Vision (Max 300 words): Describe the project’s potential impact beyond a single moment or installation. Consider durability, ongoing use, and how the work may continue to benefit the community over time.
Budget
- Total Project Budget (Include a detailed breakdown).
- Grant Request Amount ($2,500 for individuals or $5,000 for organizations).
- Other Funding Sources (Specify additional funding, if applicable).
Timeline and Execution
- Proposed Start Date
- Project End Dates.
- Project Timeline (List key milestones and activities, including design, fabrication, installation, and documentation)
Experience & Support Materials
- Portfolio Upload (3–5 samples)
- Previous Experience (optional)
- Public Accessibility & Safety Plan
- Artist Bio / Organizational History (max 250 words)
Reference Requirements
Personal references will not be accepted. Each reference must be someone who has worked with the applicant in one of the following capacities:
- A project partner, collaborator, or creative team lead
- A commissioning organization or client for a past artwork, design, or installation
- A supervisor, curator, program manager, or arts administrator familiar with your work
- For emerging artists: a mentor, educator, or community arts program lead may be used
Information to Provide for Each Reference
For each reference, applicants must include:
- Name
- Organization / Role
- Relationship to Applicant (e.g., commissioning client, curator, project partner)
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Brief Description of Work Completed Together (1–2 sentences, e.g., mural commission, design project, public program, exhibition collaboration)
References will be contacted only if the applicant advances to the finalist round. Midtown Houston and its project partners may reach out to confirm:
- Quality and professionalism of past work
- Ability to meet deadlines and project expectations
- Communication and collaboration style
- Capacity to execute public-facing work in community environments
Certification (Required)
By submitting this application, I certify that:
- I have read and understand all requirements
- I am responsible for securing all permits and permissions
- Midtown-owned spaces require formal approval
- I am responsible for fabrication, installation, and site logistics
- I will meet the July 5, 2026, completion deadline
- I agree to all documentation, promotion, and reporting requirements