Texans for the Arts 89th Legislative Session Priorities

Updated January 2025

The arts are a vital cornerstone of Texas’ economy and cultural identity. Texans for the Arts (TFA) is dedicated to advocating for public policies and funding that support a thriving arts and creative industry across the state. Working alongside legislators, arts and business leaders, and citizen advocates, our efforts during the 89th Texas Legislative Session focus on three key priorities:

1. Protecting Municipal & County Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) for the Arts

Our Goal:

Preserve the critical allocation of municipal and county HOT revenue that supports arts and cultural initiatives, driving local tourism and economic growth.

Key Actions:

• Defend the statutory 15% allocation for the arts and oppose any efforts to expand HOT funds beyond their intended use.

• Advocate for legislative clarity to strengthen transparency and reporting requirements.

• Ensure that local HOT revenue continues to fuel cultural tourism and community development across Texas.

Since the passage of SB1221 and SB1420, TFA has championed greater transparency and accountability in HOT tax collection and use, ensuring the arts remain a key driver of local tourism economies.

2. Protecting & Expanding Funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA)

Our Goal:

Secure increased funding for TCA to support arts organizations and cultural districts, fostering economic development and community revitalization.

Key Actions:

• Advocate for an additional $9 million for Arts Organization Grants to meet growing demand and support the sustainability of nonprofit arts organizations.

• Support an additional $2 million for Cultural District Grants, expanding the impact of designated districts that contribute to job creation and tourism.

• Highlight the return on investment of public arts funding, which contributes $6.1 billion annually to the Texas economy and supports 1 in 15 jobs statewide.

With 54 designated Cultural Districts across the state and more applying each year, increased funding is crucial to meeting demand and sustaining the economic benefits of these vibrant cultural hubs.

3. Supporting Texas’ Film Industry Incentives

Our Goal:

Strengthen the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) to maintain Texas' competitiveness in the film and digital media sector.

Key Actions:

• Advocate for continued investment in TMIIIP, which has generated $2.52 billion in-state spending and over 189,000 jobs since its inception.

• Support HB 1452, establishing a film event and production tax rebate trust fund.

• Promote the connection between arts funding and workforce development in the film industry.

A thriving film sector drives economic growth, attracts top-tier talent, and showcases Texas' creative assets on a global stage.

Strategic Partnerships & Other Advocacy Efforts

TFA remains committed to advancing legislative efforts that strengthen the arts ecosystem and enhance opportunities for artists and arts organizations statewide. Our additional areas of focus include:

• Arts Education: Advocate for policies ensuring every student has access to quality arts education programs.

• Tourism Promotion Funding: Support the continued dedication of state hotel tax revenues to marketing Texas as a top cultural destination.

• Historic Preservation: Defend programs such as the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program that drive economic and cultural activity.

• Public-Private Collaborations: Explore funding opportunities through agencies like Health & Human Services and the Texas Education Agency to integrate the arts into community well-being initiatives.

Get Involved

Your support is vital to ensuring the arts remain a priority in Texas policy discussions. Join us at Texas Arts Advocacy Day on February 5, 2025, and help us advocate for a stronger, more vibrant creative economy.

Stand with us to champion a thriving, creative Texas—become a member today and help preserve the arts as a vital part of our great state's economy, heritage, and future.