Cultural Treasure Accelerator
Which organizations can apply?
Applicants must meet all of these eligibility criteria to be considered for support:
- BIPOC History and Leadership – Founded, led by, and serving Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and/or other communities of color
- BIPOC Focus – A strategic focus on stewarding and sustaining artistic and/or cultural traditions rooted in a specific/defined community of color and elevating awareness of that community’s contribution to regional culture
- History of Community Impact – A demonstrated history of supporting and engaging with their specified or defined community of color
- BIPOC Cultural Legacies – A recognized source of inspiration, support, and/or contribution to the history, culture, vibrancy, and identity of BIPOC artists and residents of Greater Houston
- Arts & Culture and/or Arts Education Focus
- A history of and a focus on the creation, presentation, and/or production of arts and culture; and/or
- A history of arts education programming that advocates for and has demonstrated BIPOC Student Success;
- 501c3 Entities and Tribal Communities, or
- Fiscally Sponsored projects actively pursuing 501c3 status within the next three (3) years.
- Organizational Capacity – Dedicated leadership (paid or unpaid) and a support team to build long-term resiliency and success
- Organization must be located and serve the 9-County Region of Greater Houston
9-county region: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties.
Please see the Grant Guidelines for further details regarding these eligibility requirements.
Awardees will share these characteristics and experiences:
History of transformative support to the BIPOC arts ecosystem in Houston, including its artists, arts organizations, and the communities of color in the 9-county region of Greater Houston
- A demonstrable track record of:
Presenting, producing, and/or creating arts programming that celebrates, uplifts, explores, and/or gives authentic voice to BIPOC communities, and/or - Youth/ school-age arts education programming (whether in a school setting or not) that contributes to BIPOC student success.
- Have a diverse funding history that enables the acceptance and management of a one-time infusion of $25,000 that increases capacities for sustainability.
- Demonstration and articulation of alignment with CTA Initiative values:
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- Openness to transformational opportunities and strategic risk-taking
- Willingness to engage in adaptive learning, reflective change, and process-based planning
- Commitment to and a history of mutually beneficial collaboration and community relationship-building
- History of cultivating community advocates and active supporters
- Commitment to shared learning and building across communities and silos
- History of sustained community leadership with the capacity to advance community thriving
Applicant Support
The BANF Team provides application support via information sessions, written guidance, and FAQs, and by phone and email. Start at the BANF Support Desk to find answers to most questions. Scheduled live and recorded information sessions will cover a range of topics that will also be archived on our YouTube Channel. See below for the dates and registration links. Limited one-on-one Support Desk Sessions will be made available May 6-18. Registration begins May 1.
Scheduled Information Sessions
May 7
So you want to 501c3? Register here for a web conference for organizations considering whether and when 501c3 status would be the right way forward.
May 14
Goal-setting Workshop, hosted by Fresh Arts. Details to come.
May 6-17
Register here for limited, fifteen-minute One-on-One Support Desk conversations.
April 23
Virtual – CTA Introduction and Overview
April 29
Virtual – Narrative and Applicant Storytelling.
Additional Information Sessions will be available and posted here for registration.
Timeline
April 23, 2024, 6. p.m
Applications open
May 28, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Applications due
June - August 2024
Review period
August 2024
August 2024 Conversations with selected organizations
September 2024
Notification and announcement