Cultural Affairs Office

COVID-19 Resources and Emergency Financial Help

“Houston would not be the vibrant city that it is without the many artists and organizations serving our community and making it a cultural destination like no other.” - Former Mayor of Houston

Mask by Magpies & Peacocks, Inc.

Resources:

• New Federal Pandemic Aid for the Arts: Learn More
• Musicians and Music Venues Economic Relief Program (Closed November 25, 2020)
• COVID-19 Resources for Artists & Nonprofits
• Greater Houston Area Arts Relief Fund
• The CARES Act Program for Arts and Culture (Closed November 13, 2020)

Timeline:

• March 3, 2021 -- MOCA's Presentation on 2020-2021 Arts Update to Quality of Life Committee
• February 25, 2021 -- MOCA CARES 2 Relief Grants via M-AAA Final Report (update published March 2021)
• January 28, 2021 -- The Mayor Signs Letter for Federal Response to US Arts Crisis
• December 30, 2020 -- MOCA CARES 1 Relief Grants via HAA Final Report (.pdf)
• December 17, 2020 -- Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Awards $5M to the Creative Community
• November 5, 2020 -- CARES CRF Update (.pdf)
• November 4, 2020 -- New Relief Program Will Help Houston's Musicians and Music Venues That Are Currently Facing Economic Challenges Due to COVID-19
• October 6, 2020 -- Greater Houston Area Arts Relief Fund COVID-19 Impact Survey
• September 2, 2020 -- Houston's Creatives Respond to COVID-19 with Ingenuity and Commitment
• August 20, 2020 -- The Mayor and Houston City Council Approve $2 Million in Relief Funding for Arts and Culture
• June 23, 2020 -- City of Houston Announces Over $3M in Artist Opportunities
• June 15, 2020 -- Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Awards Second Round of Digital-Focused Arts Grants
• May 29, 2020 -- Houston Joins Major Cities to Host The National Arts Drive
• May 12, 2020 -- Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Announces Emergency Response Program Supporting Artists
• May 12, 2020 -- Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Awards First Round of Digital-Focused Arts Grants
• May 11, 2020 -- US Mayors Petition Congress for Arts Funding In Next Federal Relief Package
• May 8, 2020 – MOCA Letter to Grantees and Partners
• April 14, 2020 -- The Mayor Designates Arts Funding to Support Artists
• April 9, 2020 -- Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Working to Help Artists During Economic Crisis
• April 1, 2020 – A Message from The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (updated April 15)