Applications are being accepted from the city of New Braunfels for tax-exempt, nonprofit arts and heritage organizations for funds collected through the local hotel occupancy tax.

The framework

According to the city, the proceeds generated by the city’s hotel occupancy tax must be used to advertise and encourage the growth of the local tourism and convention industry.
  • Fifteen percent of the revenues are dedicated to the enhancement of arts and cultural organizations and programs.
  • New Braunfels City Council allocated $733,000 in 2022 to local arts and heritage programs.
“This is an exciting time for our local arts and heritage organizations, and we are looking forward to receiving their applications,” New Braunfels City Secretary Gayle Wilkinson said. “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.”

Eligible heritage-related grants include:
  • Organizations or programs that support the enhancement of historical restoration and preservation projects or activities
  • Advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to encourage tourists to visit preserved historic sites or museums
Art-related programs that are eligible include:
  • Instrumental and vocal music
  • Dance and drama
  • Folk art
  • Creative writing
  • Architecture, design and allied fields
  • Painting and sculpture
  • Photography
  • Graphic and crafts arts
  • Motion pictures, radio and television
  • Tape and sound recording
  • Other arts related to the presentation, performance, execution and exhibition of these major art forms
The specifics

According to the city, to be eligible for the grants, organizations must be designated by the IRS as a nonprofit as defined in the Texas Tax Code Chapter 351.


Completed applications must be uploaded to the city secretary’s office online portal by 5 p.m. Oct. 31. The applications will go through a formal review process before City Council allocates the funds in early 2024, according to a news release.

Applications for the Arts and Heritage Grant are available online at www.newbraunfels.gov/grants. Additional information can be found by calling the city secretary’s office at 830-221-4010.