The Community Arts Grant Program is funded by the City of Helotes Economic Development Corporation and managed by the Community Arts Grant Committee. The Community Arts Grant Program provides funding to Helotes-based arts and cultural organizations as well as individual artists of public art displays.
All submittals will be reviewed by the Community Arts Grant Committee. Official notification of grant status (approved or declined) will be sent out no later than August 2023.
The number of public art projects awarded funding is dependent on the funds available and the number of applicants submitting each year. Whenever possible, organizations receiving a Community Arts Grant are expected to acknowledge this support in programs, press releases, and advertisements with the following language: “The Helotes Economic Development Corporation provided grants funds for this project.”
Grant funds are to be expended for activities occurring between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022.
Grant Application Deadline
Notification of grant application status (approved or declined)
A final project or organizational report must be submitted to the Community Arts Grant Committee within ninety (90) days of the project completion date.
The number of public art projects awarded funding is dependent on the funds available and the number of applicants submitting each year. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted or no later than July 31, 2023. Applicants/artists may be funded one time only between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. (note: to achieve diversity in artists and styles, artists may only receive approval and/or funding once every two years.)
Helotes Arts welcomes proposals addressing a broad range of initiatives and opportunities to serve the Helotes community:
The HEDC invites artist to apply for a public art project to create mini-murals on traffic control boxes along Bandera Road. Selected artists’ designs will be digitized and printed on a vinyl wrap.
The HEDC invites artist to apply for a public art project to enhance the city by adding works of art to the streetscape. Murals should be original hand-painted artwork visible from the public right-of-way.
The HEDC invites artist to apply for a public art project to create a permanent outdoor installation for the traffic circle in Old Town Helotes. The installation will occupy no more than a 15-foot radius. This is a high traffic area and visibility must be maintained for vehicular traffic. Furthermore, it must be made of materials that can withstand Texas weather.
Non-profit 501(c)3 Projects
Individual Artist Projects
Businesses with 50% Match
Projects must be clearly visibly/ accessible to the public
Projects outside of the City of Helotes
Projects on private single-family residences/property
The number of public art projects awarded funding is dependent on the funds available and the number of applicants submitting each year. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted or no later than July 31, 2023. Applicants/artists may be funded one time only between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. (note: to achieve diversity in artists and styles, artists may only receive approval and/or funding once every two years.)
Artists submitting a project to be located on publicly owned property may receive up to 75% funding with additional funding coming from other sources. Projects able to provide additional matching funds are prioritized.
Applicants submitting projects for display on private property must provide a 1:1 match with the amount of requested funding. Project must be visible from the public right-of-way.
Funds will be awarded based on the Community Arts Grant Committee’s evaluation of the eligible proposal using review criteria described below.
Eligible expenses may include artist fees, assistant fees, supplies and materials, rental equipment, liability insurance, transportation, installation costs and promotional materials related to a dedication event.
original concept and excellence in execution; scale is appropriate to the building and wall on which it will be painted/attached (* we highly encourage applicants to use images and compositions that will bring innovation to our Community Arts Program collection.)
Creatively responds to site and neighborhood; demonstrates ethical use of references to specific cultural origins; design clearly depicts ideas expressed in project description.
Written evidence of support from property owner, building and business owner(s), or adjacent property owners.
Ability to complete the proposed project, a realistic budget, agreement between property owner and artist regarding responsibility for wall preparation for painting, and use of acceptable graffiti/UV coating, as needed.
Images associated with concepts mean the same for artist and community (i.e., shared meaning beyond individual perspective and experience).
As part of the application you must submit a budget and indicate donated time and materials and cash expenditures. Adding those two items together will equal your total project expenses.
Artists may either ask for a flat fee or charge by the square foot (sf) which typically includes labor, supplies and materials. This artist fee is dependent on several factors:
An emerging artist and an established artist demand different fee structures.
Consider the physical size of the project and/or special skills artist is employing (e.g., mosaic work).
Activities like leading workshops or participating in community engagement events associated with project require additional time from the artist.
The following requirements apply to all applicants whose project is approved through this program:
If you have further questions regarding the Program, contact Glenn Goolsby, Economic Development Specialist at:
Glenn Goolsby
City of Helotes
Economic Development Corporation
12682 FM 1560 W, Suite 105(Physical)
P.O. Box 507 (Mailing)
Helotes, TX 78023
Phone: (210) 695-5910
E-mail: ggoolsby@helotes-tx.gov