Texas Commission on the Arts

Texas Commission on the Arts The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) provides grants, information, and services in support of the

TCA's next Speaker Series professional development event is titled Engaging New Audiences through Partnerships. Our spea...
07/28/2026

TCA's next Speaker Series professional development event is titled Engaging New Audiences through Partnerships. Our speakers will present their strategies for attracting new and returning audiences by cultivating a deeper understanding of their city's communities and resources and then forging cross-discipline and cross-industry partnerships.

The free virtual meeting will be on Thursday, August 13 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm Central. It is open to arts nonprofits, artists, and members of the public.

TCA is excited to feature our speakers, who bring a wealth of information and experience serving a variety of communities through their programs. Lynn Barnett is the Executive Director of the Abilene Cultural Affairs and Casey Chavez is the ArtWalk Coordinator for the Center for Contemporary Arts in historic Downtown Abilene.

Register today at https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_dhoDLIn4R9m9SGvgh5ruFw
and mark your calendar!

Abilene Cultural Affairs Council
Center for Contemporary Arts

Need a band that gets people dancing the Chicken Dance-- or a polka-- and beyond? The Texas Touring Roster has Brave Com...
07/21/2026

Need a band that gets people dancing the Chicken Dance-- or a polka-- and beyond? The Texas Touring Roster has Brave Combo! The Roster is a resource for Texas entities that want to hire more artists to perform or conduct workshops for their community.

Based in Denton, Texas, the innovative quintet, Brave Combo, has mastered an eclectic world music fusion that encompasses salsa, polka, merengue, rock, cumbia, conjunto, zydeco, classical, cha-cha, blues and beyond. Renowned as America's foremost crazy dance band, they have even pioneered the genre of nuclear polka, earning their band leader, Carl Finch, induction into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in 2016. Widely celebrated for their dynamic performances, Brave Combo's global presence extends across venues of all sizes. With an impressive repertoire of hundreds of songs showcased on over 40 albums, the band's flexibility allows them to tailor their shows for diverse audiences, from family-friendly gatherings to the grand stages of major festivals worldwide. The ensemble, honored with two GRAMMY Awards and six nominations, captivates audiences with infectious rhythms, inspiring one reviewer to note, "Even if you come for the party, you will leave with a musical education." Notably, Brave Combo's versatility extends to orchestral compositions, with over 50 of their unique arrangements scored for full symphony, including a complete Christmas/holiday program. And the band has even been animated in an episode of The Simpsons. Photo by Jane Beaver.

See Brave Combo's full Roster listing at https://www.arts.texas.gov/product/brave-combo/

Brave Combo

Looking for a veteran of the Cosmic Cowboy or Outlaw Country genres? Look no further than the Texas Touring Roster's Bob...
07/20/2026

Looking for a veteran of the Cosmic Cowboy or Outlaw Country genres? Look no further than the Texas Touring Roster's Bob Livingston! The Roster is a resource for Texas entities that want to hire more artists to perform or conduct workshops for their community.

Texas-based Bob Livingston tours nationally and internationally, presenting concerts in theaters, folk clubs, dancehalls, libraries, schools, and performing arts centers. A founding member of Austin’s legendary Lost Gonzo Band, Livingston toured and recorded with Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey, and Ray Wylie Hubbard, helping to shape a distinct strand of American roots music. Regarded as a consummate storyteller, he engages audiences through songs and stories drawn from lived experience. His recordings have received wide acclaim, including Album of the Year at the Texas Music Awards for his album Gypsy Alibi. Livingston performs as a solo artist, duo, trio, or with a full band, adapting to venues of all sizes. He also offers workshops and lectures on songwriting, creative storytelling, and music history. In addition, he leads the multicultural ensemble Cowboys and Indians (Where East Meets West), blending music, lore, and dance traditions from both East and West. He is the author of Gypsy Alibi: A Gonzo Memoir (Texas Tech University Press), with material from the book featured in select concerts. In recognition of his contributions to Texas music, Bob Livingston was inducted into the Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame and the West Texas Walk of Fame. Photo by Robbyn Dodd.

See Bob's complete Roster listing at https://www.arts.texas.gov/product/bob-livingston/

Bob Livingston

It's National Ice Cream Day, a very serious holiday that reminds us of one of Angela Henderson Smith's books. Angela is ...
07/19/2026

It's National Ice Cream Day, a very serious holiday that reminds us of one of Angela Henderson Smith's books. Angela is new to the Texas Touring Roster! The Roster is a resource for Texas entities that want to hire more artists to perform or conduct workshops for their community.

Angela Henderson Smith is a published children’s author, educator, and literacy advocate with over thirteen years of experience teaching English Language Arts. She is passionate about helping readers and writers discover their voices through hands-on, interactive learning experiences that build confidence and creativity. Angela provides engaging author visits for elementary students that bring storytelling to life and hands-on writing workshops for intermediate and middle school students that develop creativity, writing skills, and confidence. Over the past two years, she has visited more than 20 schools across Texas and shared her expertise at key literacy conferences, including TALE, local ESC literacy events, and the Texas Library Association annual conference, demonstrating her commitment to supporting educators and students statewide. As the author of Isaac’s Ice Cream Tree and two other children’s books, Angela’s programs combine storytelling, guided writing exercises, and interactive activities aligned with classroom learning goals. She is also the founder of Write College Prep, guiding high schoolers step by step in writing and college preparation, both in school group workshops and through individual sessions outside of school. Angela's Texas-based programs are designed to leave a lasting, meaningful impact, inspiring a lifelong love of reading and writing.

See Angela's full Roster listing at https://www.arts.texas.gov/product/angela-henderson-smith/

Photo by Prestige Photography.

Author Angela Henderson Smith

Aerial dance? Why, yes, the Texas Touring Roster has that, too!Blue Lapis Light (BLL) is a site-specific aerial dance co...
07/19/2026

Aerial dance? Why, yes, the Texas Touring Roster has that, too!

Blue Lapis Light (BLL) is a site-specific aerial dance company based in Austin, Texas, and founded by Artistic Director Sally Jacques. Using aerial techniques informed by classical, interpretive, and modern dance, BLL creates transcendent works of beauty, inspiring audience members of all ages and backgrounds. BLL offers aerial dance performances adapted to each location, making every show a unique event. The apparatuses used are determined by the site. The company specializes in aerial silks, harness work, Spanish web, and tiger stands. Custom music and costuming elements are chosen to reflect the theme of each event. BLL creates pieces on every scale, from one dance on a silk to an entire ensemble on the face of a building. Photo by Earl McGehee.

See Blue Lapis Light's full Roster listing at https://www.arts.texas.gov/product/blue-lapis-light/

Blue Lapis Light

The Texas Touring Roster has some new bluegrass and American artists, like Big Love Car Wash!Big Love Car Wash blends Am...
07/18/2026

The Texas Touring Roster has some new bluegrass and American artists, like Big Love Car Wash!

Big Love Car Wash blends Americana roots with adventurous songwriting, a sound they call "Heart-Forward Dreamgrass." The four-piece band met through the Austin music scene and found immediate chemistry. Their performances are built on tight playing, rich harmonies, and the kind of intuitive interplay often described as stage telepathy. Drawing from bluegrass, folk, jazz, Celtic, and rock influences, the band creates an Americana sound that honors its sources while pushing outward. Their self-produced debut album, Daydream, was recorded at Arlyn Studios and released in 2025. That same year, they embarked on their first national tour and earned second place in the world-renowned Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition. Big Love Car Wash emphasizes cultural connection, empathy, and exploration. Singing in Spanish and Hebrew as well as English, the band draws from diverse backgrounds to offer rich tapestries. Their shows are heart-forward experiences, and they have captivated rooms all over the country with their intimate and vulnerable performances. Big Love Car Wash also offers educational programs, including workshops in folk songwriting, arranging for small ensembles, collaboration and jamming, and instrument-specific sessions for mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass, clogging, and singing. Their workshops are adaptable for children or adults and emphasize creativity, accessibility, and connection. Photo by Nicolla Gell.

See Big Love Car Wash's full Roster listing at https://www.arts.texas.gov/product/big-love-car-wash/

Big Love Car Wash

The Texas Touring Roster has artists perfect for your spooky story times, including Bernadette Nason! The Roster is a re...
07/17/2026

The Texas Touring Roster has artists perfect for your spooky story times, including Bernadette Nason! The Roster is a resource for Texas entities that want to hire more artists to perform or conduct workshops for their community.

Multiple award-winning storyteller, actress, and writer Bernadette Nason has studied all over the world, including Guildford Acting School, UK, and has performed on four continents. She received the 2025 John Henry Faulk Award for Storytelling Excellence. Nason has published two books: Tea in Tripoli and Stealing Baby Jesus, and appears in regional theatrical productions and movies like Miss Congeniality. Believing the power and influence of live storytelling can change the world, Nason produces thrilling programs of multicultural stories, mixing traditional telling with creative drama. Her acclaimed programs include ethnic world tales, holiday themes, and personal family yarns. With shows suitable for all ages, she presents in theaters, schools, libraries, festivals, conferences, retirement homes, and more. Working closely with educators, Bernadette offers entertaining, moral-based stories with content supporting STAAR requirements. If you need a specific program, Nason can tailor accordingly. With 35 years' experience, she has numerous collections available (and is always preparing new) but programs are carefully compiled seasonally for ease of selection and booking. Always available: stories for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chinese NY, Black History Month, Valentine's Day, Texas Flowers, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, and all four seasons. New selections: "Dinosaur Tales" and "English Legends." Photo by Sam Bond Photography.

See Bernadette's full Roster profile at https://www.arts.texas.gov/product/bernadette-nason/

Bernadette Nason

Future opportunity alert and request for information!Art Preservation Fund (APF) is a newly launched national initiative...
07/16/2026

Future opportunity alert and request for information!

Art Preservation Fund (APF) is a newly launched national initiative expanding access to conservation funding and expertise for museums, historical societies, archives, tribal organizations, and other 501(c)(3) collecting institutions across the United States. They are currently in the early stages of fundraising and organizational development, with plans to open their first grant application cycle in Fall 2026.

APF is inviting institutions and collections to complete a brief interest form to help them better understand preservation needs and anticipated demand for future funding opportunities. The interest form and more information are here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gURaN8UZgaNJq3dUG5IBAvZKyM-Msk4b/view

The Texas Touring Roster has some new Rio Grande Valley-based artists on it! The Roster is a resource for Texas entities...
07/15/2026

The Texas Touring Roster has some new Rio Grande Valley-based artists on it! The Roster is a resource for Texas entities that want to hire more artists to perform or conduct workshops for their community.

Ballet Nepantla fuses contemporary dance with Mexican folklorico to explore new and interpretive ways of delving into cultural and historical "in-between-ness." Born from the historical vicissitudes of the Rio Grande Valley and the Texas-Mexico borderlands, Ballet Nepantla centers its storytelling on exploring experiences of violence and reconciliation, marginalization, and healing. The company fosters an understanding of the border’s complexity through performance and community dialogue. Bookings include full-length and condensed performances with post-show Q and As, talkbacks and masterclasses (ballet, contemporary, folklorico, afro). Performances: Valentina: addresses the strength and resilience of women during Revolutionary Mexico. (Tours March–July); Mistica: honors and celebrates the creative and spiritual energies of Mexico's indigenous, Afro, and Hispanic roots. Commemorates traditions of Dia De Mu***os and transports the audience into the afterlife using blacklight and unique fusion of ballet, folklorico, and contemporary dance. (Tours August–November); Nacimiento: fuses the history of the birth of the mestizaje with the emergence of Christianity and Christmas in the New World. It explores pre-Hispanic rituals, the impact of colonization on the Americas, and displays the festive nature of how Mexican Christmas traditions are celebrated today in greater Mexico. (Tours November–February); Sin Fronteras: a synergistic celebration crossing geographic, historical, and artistic borders (Tours all year). Photo by Tony Pena.

See Ballet Nepantla's full Roster listing at https://www.arts.texas.gov/product/ballet-nepantla/

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1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 6. 600
Austin, TX
78701

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
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