Elevate Austin

Elevate Austin is a grant from Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (AACME) that supports the creation of culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content for the public. Awards of up to $30,000 fund creative, administrative, and operational expenses incurred while producing artistic activities and events for Austin and its visitors.

Eligible applicants include cultural organizations, groups, and individual artists based in Austin, Texas. The 2025 application window ran from October 21 through December 19, 2025. Applicants interested in future cycles should monitor the AACME Elevate Website for updated application windows and eligibility requirements.

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. Elevate Grant Application Window: October 21 – December 19, 2025 The 2025 Elevate Grant application was open from October 21st, 2025 through December 19th, 2025.

Failure to submit the eligibility form by December 4, 2025 will keep you from being able to access the full application. Please see the AACME Elevate Website for the most up-to-date information about this program and its application review process. For application assistance: Reach out to Create Austin’s application assistance team at applicationhelp@thelongcenter.

org or call 512-457-5161. View our Submittable Applicant and Technical Assistance Guide For assistance with grant guidelines, eligibility, and application requirements: Register to attend one of the AACME Funding Programs Workshops Attend AACME Funding Programs’ Virtual Open Office Hours Email applicationhelp@thelongcenter. org .

Our application assistance team will redirect your question to the right AACME staff member. Applicants interested in applying with a fiscal sponsor must complete the Intake Form for their entity. The Fiscal Sponsor may not submit the Intake Form on the behalf of the Sponsored Project.

Once the Intake Form is complete, the sponsored project will need to complete both the eligibility form and the associated grant application. The Fiscal Sponsor will need to provide a copy of their most recently completed 990, IRS Determination Letter, and a completed and signed sponsorship agreement to their sponsored project(s) so that they can include it in their application.

The Sponsored Project will submit the application, and,if awarded, will have their application transferred to their Fiscal Sponsor at the time of contracting. You must have a fiscal sponsor agreement in place BEFORE you begin the application process. Only Elevate Applicants applying as Individual Artists or Arts groups without 501(c) nonprofit status can employ a fiscal sponsor.

Want to see what your insurance requirements will be if you are awarded the Elevate Grant? Take the Create Austin Insurance Requirements Quiz. Taking this quiz is a required step in the Elevate Application process and can help with budget planning.

Resources for the Elevate Grant Fillable Application Templates in Spanish Fillable Application Templates in Vietnamese Fillable Application Templates in Simplified Chinese Fillable Application Templates in Korean Navigating Your Submittable Profile as a 2026 AACME Funding Awardee AACME Grants: Selecting Your Work Samples Submittable Portal Walkthrough: Completing the Eligibility & Application for Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) Funding Programs What’s New for 2025/2026 Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) Funding Cycle Application Collaborators, Fiscal Sponsors, and Grant Writers – Who should be in charge of my Submittable account?

Submittable Portal Walkthrough: Completing the Intake Form for Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) Funding Programs FY26 Elevate Sponsorship Agreement Elevate Fillable Application Template FY 24/25 Final Report Workshop Events for AACME Funding Applicants Asistencia en español disponible en todos los eventos In-Person AACME Funding Programs Workshop Saturday, November 15 • 12:00 – 2:00 P. M.

Asian American Resource Center 8401 Cameron Road Austin, TX 78754 Virtual AACME Funding Programs Workshop Monday, November 17 • 11:00 A. M. -12:30 P.

M. In-Person AACME Funding Programs Workshop Tuesday, November 18 • 5:00 – 7:00 P. M Ruiz Branch, Austin Public Library 1600 Grove Boulevard Austin, TX 78741 • presented in Spanish In-Person AACME Funding Programs Workshop Thursday, November 20 • 5:00 – 7:00 P.

M. Carver Branch, Austin Public Library 1161 Angelina Street Austin, TX 78702 • with ASL interpretation Virtual Open Office Hours Tuesday, December 2 • 10:00 A. M.

– Noon • No appointment necessary Virtual and In-Person All-Day Open Office Hours Thursday, December 4 • 10:00 A. M. – 4:00 P.

M. 5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78741 • No appointment necessary Virtual and In-Person All-Day Open Office Hours Thursday, December 11 • 10:00 A. M.

– 4:00 P. M. 5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78741 • No appointment necessary Virtual and In-Person All-Day Open Office Hours Tuesday, December 9 • 10:00 A.

M. – 4:00 P. M.

5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Ste 400, Austin, TX 78741 • No appointment necessary 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.

See the Impact of the Elevate Grant Browse our calendar of local events that have been funded by grants – including Elevate – from the Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Department 2023 Elevate Grant Applicants and Awardees Established by the City of Austin, the Elevate Grant provides an ongoing budget for arts organizations, individual artists, and creative businesses that produce culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content.

See statistics and details from the Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Department for the 2023 Elevate Grant. Learn More About the Other AACME Funding Programs That Create Austin Administers Encourages, promotes, improves, and showcases Austin’s diverse music industry. Creative Space Assistance Program Supports commercial creative spaces facing displacement or new leases at higher and unaffordable rates.

Heritage Preservation Grant Serves to promote tourism through historic preservation projects and activities inclusive of all stories rooted in history and heritage. Supports emerging cultural and creative individuals and organizations to produce public projects and activities for Austin’s diverse communities.

Offers focused investment to sustain and grow local arts nonprofit organizations deeply rooted in and reflective of Austin’s many cultures. 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.

WHERE CAN I FIND GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM? For general information about Elevate, click here . For 2026 Elevate Program guidelines and eligibility questions, click here .

I RECEIVED AN AWARD, NOW WHAT? 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: 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 . HOW MUCH ARE PAYMENTS AND WHAT’S THE BREAKDOWN?

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 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. WHEN IS ROUND 1 PAYMENT BEING DISTRIBUTED?

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: Email: cityofaustingrants@thelongcenter. org WHEN ARE ROUND 2 AND 3 PAYMENTS BEING DISTRIBUTED? 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.