The City of Austin, Texas is set to select a local artist or artist group for its Our Future 35 Artist in Residence program, courtesy of a $75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA recently announced over 1,000 recipients of its Grants for Arts Project (GAP) awards on May 15, including the City of Austin. The awards total more than $37 million as part of its second round of Fiscal Year 2024 grants.
The City’s Economic Development Department (EDD) Cultural Arts Division and Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) Our Future 35 Cap and Stitch Program will jointly manage the Artist in Residence program. Our Future 35 is an initiative aimed at building new city infrastructure and public spaces over the I-35 highway, which is currently being reconstructed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The selected Artist in Residence will collaborate closely with the Our Future 35 planning team over two years. They will be responsible for producing and integrating art into public engagement events, culminating with a capstone or showcase event. Additionally, they may create temporary installations or activations along construction corridors, depending on the program’s status in Spring 2026.
As part of the GAP awards program, the City will provide an in-kind match of the grant award amounting to $75,000. Updates regarding the Artist in Residence program will be posted on the EDD website.
The Transportation and Public Works Department ensures safe, reliable and accessible mobility services for all Austinites. They are committed to engaging and educating the community proactively. For more information about their services visit AustinTexas.gov/TPW.