According to the city of New Braunfels, the proceeds generated by the hotel occupancy tax must be used to advertise and encourage the growth of the local tourism and convention industry with 15% of the revenue dedicated to the enhancement of arts and cultural organizations and programs.
“The amount of grant funds awarded each year is dependent on the revenue generated the previous year. For example, approximately $659,000 was allocated by New Braunfels City Council to local arts and heritage programs from the funds collected in 2021,” the city of New Braunfels said in a press release.
Eligible art-related programs include instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture, design and allied fields, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic and crafts arts, motion pictures, radio, television, tape and sound recording. Other arts related to the presentation, performance, execution and exhibition of these major art forms may also be included.
Eligible heritage-related grants include organizations or programs that support the enhancement of historical restoration and preservation projects or activities. Additionally, advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to encourage tourists and convention delegates to visit preserved historic sites or museums are also included.
To be eligible for the Arts & Heritage Grants from hotel occupancy tax funds, organizations must be a 501(c)3 non-profit as designated by the IRS and as defined in the Texas Tax Code Section 351.101.
“We are looking forward to receiving applications from our local arts and heritage organizations, and the city secretary’s office is committed to providing help to those organizations in an effort to make the application process as easy as possible,” New Braunfels City Secretary Gayle Wilkinson said.
Applications are available online at www.newbraunfels.gov/grants. Completed applications must be uploaded to the city secretary’s office online portal no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 31. Once received, the applications will go through a formal review process before City Council allocates the funds in early 2023. For additional information, call the secretary’s office at 830-221-3010.
