A statewide nonprofit is investing in Texas children's future through the arts.
Texas Women for the Arts, a program of the Texas Cultural Trust, announced it's awarding over $320,000 in grant funding this year to support arts education programs across the state. The funding will help expand access to creative learning experiences for children through local museums, community groups, summer camps, and other organizations.
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Several Houston-based organizations were among the recipients, including Alley Theatre, Houston Ballet, Houston Repertoire Ballet, and Houston Youth Symphony.
In total, TWA is distributing $323,333 to selected programs for the 2024-2025 cycle. The group, a philanthropic collective of more than 200 women leaders and advocates, is marking its 20th anniversary in 2025.
Since its founding, TWA has awarded 425 grants totaling over $4.7 million, reaching more than 3.7 million Texas children.
"The arts offer countless benefits for children, from supporting neurodevelopment and emotional growth to boosting academic achievement," said Heidi Marquez Smith, CEO of the Texas Cultural Trust. "Through these grants, we aim to create meaningful creative learning experiences for Texas children and remove barriers to quality arts education."
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The grant program supports a wide range of arts education opportunities, including music, dance, visual arts, theater, creative writing, and performing arts.
Isha Rogers Santamaria, the 2025 Texas Women for the Arts Chair, reflected on the program's two-decade impact.
"Fostering creativity in children across our state is essential. For 20 years, TWA has championed access to arts education, reflecting our members' deep commitment to preserving and celebrating Texas's rich cultural heritage. We're proud to support these incredible programs that inspire young minds, and we look forward to continuing our impact across the state."
TWA grants are awarded annually in the spring.
The 2024-2025 Texas Women for the Arts Grantees:
Alley Theatre, Houston Art Guild of Fayetteville DBA Arts for Rural Texas, FayettevilleAustin Film Festival, AustinBee Cave Arts Foundation, AustinCreative Kids, El PasoEast Lubbock Art House, LubbockEast Texas Symphony Orchestra, Tyler Houston Ballet, HoustonHouston Repertoire Ballet, HoustonHouston Youth Symphony, HoustonNorth Texas Performing Arts, PlanoRockport Art Association, Inc. DBA Rockport Center for the Arts, RockportSAY Sí, San AntonioSouth Texas Institute for the Arts DBA Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus ChristiSouth Texas Symphony Association, Inc DBA Valley Symphony Orchestra, McAllenStage West Theatre, Fort WorthThe Center for Child Protection, AustinThe MacMillan Institute, DuncanvilleThe Marfa Studio of the Arts, MarfaThe Opera Co. DBA The El Paso Opera, El PasoTom Lea Institute, El PasoYoung Audiences of Northeast Texas, Tyler
The 2024-2025 Texas Women for the Arts Executive Committee:
Isha Rogers Santamaria, Chair and 2025 Annual Meeting Chair, El PasoNancy Seliger, Vice-Chair, AustinLinda LaMantia, Immediate Past Chair, LaredoMuffin Lemak, Membership Co-Chair, DallasAna Montoya, Membership Co-Chair, San AntonioLisa Jimenez, Membership Vice Co-Chair, El PasoSarah Laucirica, Membership Vice Co-Chair, El PasoDawn Leatherwood, Membership Vice Co-Chair, TylerLesa Rossick, Membership Vice Co-Chair, AustinNina Seely, Nominating Vice-Chair, AustinLisa Ivie Miller, Grants Chair, AustinMadison Peterson, Grants Vice-Chair, AustinNancy Murray, Governance Chair, LongviewLeslie Blanton, Governance Vice-Chair, HoustonJan McKee, Legacy Chair, Fort WorthNancy Hiles, Legacy Vice-Chair, Grand PrairieMarielle Lamy Quaid, Travel Chair, AustinChristy Berry, Travel Vice Co-Chair, DallasEliza Duncan, Travel Vice Co-Chair, Houston