PILLAR: Vibrant
AGENDA DATE: May 27, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Office of Arts and Culture
PRIORITY: N/A
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize and establish the FY 2026-27 Community Artists Program (CAP) and CAP Guidelines which provides for the program eligibility and review criteria to be used in evaluating applications for cultural support funds for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 - Financing: This action has no cost consideration to the City (see Fiscal Information)
*In alignment with Dallas Cultural Plan.
Body
BACKGROUND
The updated Cultural Policy of the City of Dallas, adopted on November 28, 2018, by Resolution No. 18-1683 and amended most recently on December 10, 2025, by Resolution No. 25-1895, provides that guidelines for the various Cultural Support Programs will be submitted for review and approval of the City Council. This serves to affirm the artistic nature of services to be provided through these various cultural programs and to specify the review and selection process for cultural services.
The Community Artist Program (CAP) provides artist services to Dallas communities by supporting individual artists and non-profit organizations to teach, perform, and exhibit at requesting facilities in neighborhoods around the City of Dallas. CAP cultivates collaborations between artists and communities. The goals of CAP FY 2026-27 are as follows:
1. To provide opportunities for Dallas neighborhood residents and organizations to have greater access to the arts and cultural expression exposing them to and educating them on a variety of cultural art forms and/or traditions heightening resident understanding of the unique contributions of the city’s various cultures to Dallas communities.
2. To create opportunities for artists to participate in events throughout Dallas which showcase and celebrate the community’s unique history, and varied cultural, heritage.
3. To provide support and opportunities for arts programing through which artists and organizations can teach, perform, and exhibit at requesting facilities in neighborhoods in the City of Dallas.
4. To promote collaborations between the arts and community entities, such as business, government, and the non-profit sector, for the purpose of community development.
The Dallas Cultural Policy requires that Cultural Support Programs must be authorized by resolution of the City Council, including approval of the various cultural support program guidelines.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On April 2, 2026, the Allocations Committee of the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission voted to recommend these guidelines for CAP FY 2026-27.
On April 16, 2026, the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission voted to recommend these guidelines for CAP FY 2026-27.
The Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee was briefed by memorandum on these guidelines for CAP FY 2026-27 regarding this matter on May 18, 2026. <https://cityofdallas.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15473185&GUID=59D5FFA5-BFE0-46B0-A812-2CC84A512441>
FISCAL INFORMATION
This action has no cost consideration to the City. Appropriations for the Cultural Support Programs are established in the General Fund through the annual budget development process. Each award to a cultural organization or individual artist through the FY 2026-27 Community Artists Program will be $30,000.00 or less and authorized by administrative action.