Austin Arts Foundation | Supporting emerging artists in Austin

A Haven for Emerging Artists

Creating opportunities and celebrating diverse artistic expressions to enrich Austin's cultural landscape.

Our Mission

Austin Arts Foundation enriches Austin’s equity, creativity, and cultural development landscape by supporting emerging and traditionally under-supported artists.

We assist artists in achieving recognition and success by fostering community spirit, promoting pride in Austin’s diverse cultural identity, and advancing social justice. We create inclusive spaces for visual artists, performers, filmmakers, and other creatives to connect by engaging with the community and showcasing their culturally rich works. We do this through educational projects, events, public art, and collaborative spaces, ensuring artists can thrive creatively and financially.

Our Values

Uniting creators, cultural organizations, public institutions, and the private sector to support all art forms.

Collaboration is at the heart of our mission. We’re all about bringing together a wild mix of creators—visual artists, musicians, writers, performers, you name it. Our partnerships with cultural organizations and public institutions mean we’ve got the venues, resources, and platforms to make magic happen. And let’s not forget the private sector—because who doesn’t love a good sponsor? By working together, we create a bustling, interdisciplinary artistic community where every art form gets a chance to shine.

*Pictured Darryl Demps @imdarryld.

Ensuring a vibrant culture that promotes equity and inclusivity.

We’re on a mission to smash the barriers that keep marginalized communities from accessing and participating in the arts. Equity and inclusivity aren’t just buzzwords for us—they’re our guiding stars. We make sure our programs are open to everyone, giving artists from all walks of life a platform to share their talents and stories. Our goal? A vibrant cultural scene that’s as diverse and dynamic as the community it represents.

*Mural by artist Betsy Kay Askew, @bkayallday.

Valuing individuals and their differences and building trust within the community.

Respect and trust are our bread and butter. We see the unique qualities in everyone and know that our differences make us stronger and more creative. Creating a space where everyone feels valued is non-negotiable for us. Transparency, accountability, and constant engagement are how we build trust. When we say we value respect and trust, we mean it—and we show it in everything we do. We know that by fostering a culture of mutual respect and trust, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all artists and art enthusiasts.

*Mural by artist Ari @theartfulari.

Using art and communication as tools for healing and transformation.

Tu Importas by Forty4 Design and artist Snuk One.

Art heals, transforms, and takes us to places we never thought we could go. We’re here to tap into that power, using creative expression to tackle personal and community challenges. Whether it’s through participatory art projects, therapeutic workshops, or community dialogues, we believe art is a catalyst for healing and change. We’re all about providing safe spaces for everyone to explore emotions, share stories, and find some much-needed solace.

*Mural by Forty4 Design and artist Snuk One.

Our Story

Our Vision

Austin Arts Foundation was established in 2024 to build a supportive artistic community. Founded by local artists dedicated to addressing the challenges of sustaining a creative career who recognized barriers faced by underrepresented artists, such as economic pressures and a lack of mentorship, our founders have brought together artists in the community with a variety of events resulting in the work hundreds of underrepresented artists being exhibited. We aim to make Austin a place where every artist can succeed and positively impact the cultural landscape.

Metrics

Our vision is to ensure that local artists are valued and supported and that their contributions are at the heart of social justice efforts in our community. We see this happening through partnerships with nonprofits, public agencies, private entities, and artists passionate about creating spaces where artistic expression thrives and helps build a strong community. We’re committed to fully supporting artists from underrepresented backgrounds by offering resources, mentorship, and opportunities. By working together and promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice, we aim to spark cross-cultural conversations, build a connected and fair creative community, and contribute to a more inclusive and empowered artistic presence, both in Austin and beyond. In a city with rising living costs, we want a future where art is not just a passion but a sustainable way of life for everyone, regardless of their background.

Primary Metric: Income to Artists and Attendance

Artists get paid for their work: Money matters for artists, too. We’re committed to creating more paid opportunities so artists can focus on their craft instead of juggling side gigs. The more art they make, the more we all benefit. More art means more community building and communication, which we’re all about. So yes, we’re tracking those dollars and cents to ensure our artists thrive.

Attendance: Butts in seats matter as well. Growing attendance at our events means we’re doing something right. We will constantly organize forums, meetings, workshops, and events to draw diverse crowds. By keeping an eye on attendance, we can fine-tune our offerings and ensure we’re meeting the needs and interests of our community.

Secondary Metric: Equity Metric
Identities we want to serve
Equity is more than a metric—it's part of our core mission. We track the representation of various identities within our programs to ensure we live up to our promise of inclusivity. We want artists from all backgrounds and the diversity of our audiences to grow. By tracking this metric, we will spot gaps and areas for improvement and ensure we’re serving the communities we aim to support.

Who We Serve

Austin Arts Foundation serves the diverse population of Austin, Texas. Our programs support and empower the following communities by providing resources, opportunities, and inclusive spaces for artistic expression:

Artists and Performers
LGBTQIA+ Community
Women and Female-Identifying Individuals
Ethnically and Racially Diverse Groups
Economically Disadvantaged Individuals

Our Initiatives

Opportunities for Emerging Artists

We provide opportunities for emerging artists from diverse backgrounds through grants, residencies, and showcases. Our goal is to help artists grow their careers and highlight their talents.

Public Art Projects

We bring together artists, business owners, sponsors, and the community to beautify Austin, make art accessible, and transform public spaces with murals, sculptures, and installations that reflect the city’s diversity.

Events and Festivals

We organize events and festivals that celebrate local artists. From gallery shows and studio tours to music festivals and film screenings, our events give artists a platform to share their work and invite the community to experience Austin's culture.

Collaborative Spaces

We offer collaborative spaces where artists can work, learn, and grow. With our partners, we provide studios, galleries, and performance spaces designed to support artists at every stage of their careers.

Meet Our Leadership

Our Leadership Team is dedicated to steering Austin Arts Foundation Inc. toward achieving its mission and vision. This team includes both our Board of Directors and our Advisory Board.

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(she/her)

Co-Director

President

Ari Newman

Co-founder of Austin Arts Foundation, South Austin Art Project, and Revolutionístas (a unique multimedia platform combining art, activism, and education, centered on radicalizing pleasure as a catalyst for collective creative and political freedom). Ari has dedicated her creative prowess to her art and creating opportunities rooted in purpose around social justice themes, particularly for women of diverse identities. Her work in the arts focuses on integrating social justice into her work and facilitating experiences for others to contribute in impactful ways that align with her unbound passion for community engagement and advocacy.

(she/they)

Co-Director

Secretary

Loria Mendoza

Co-founder of the Austin Arts Foundation, South Austin Art Project, and LL Creative, Loria is a queer Chicanx writer, curator, artist, and a big time believer in the healing power of art, community, storytelling, and love. A powerhouse creative in Austin’s cultural scene, they are the curator and host of Red Light Lit Austin. They have participated in diverse art productions including the Bodies of Work series, Down N Dirty: A Street Art Experience, and Art Under $100. Their efforts showcase our foundation’s dedication to elevating diverse voices through various artistic expressions.

(he/him)

Strategic Director

Treasurer

Damien Luzzo

Damien is a software engineer in Austin, Texas, passionate about AI, machine learning, robotics, and AGI. He advocates for social justice, feminism, and sustainability and aims to improve the world through technology and progressive policies. With degrees in Physics and Philosophy, Damien's diverse background includes filmmaking, community organizing, environmental justice, political campaigning, and project management.

(he/him)

Board Chair

Ami Plasse

Ami is an award-winning creative professional with over 29 years of experience in Advertising and Marketing, serving as a Creative Director, Art Director, Animator, Illustrator, Designer, and Developer. He brings extensive creative expertise and a deep passion for supporting local arts communities. As a board member of the Austin Arts Foundation, Ami's commitment to fostering strong communication and collaboration ensures the creation of impactful and engaging experiences that drive the foundation's mission forward.

(he/they)

Digital Communications

Manager

Arden Gonzales

Arden is a multimedia artist and digital communications specialist, having worked primarily in the fashion and tech industries. He is dedicated to supporting local community efforts that educate and celebrate diversity.

(he/him)

Advisory Board Member

Jesse Borrego

Jesse Borrego, renowned for his compelling performances in "Blood In, Blood Out" and "Fame," is a multifaceted actor dedicated to fostering local talent and cultural representation. As the founder of the nonprofit Cine Studio San Antonio, he provides a platform for aspiring filmmakers to develop and showcase their work. Borrego's commitment extends beyond the screen; he is deeply involved in community efforts, promoting arts education and mentorship programs for underserved youth. His initiatives aim to empower the next generation of artists by offering opportunities for creative expression and collaboration, reflecting his passion for nurturing talent and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of his community.