What We Do
Across three seasons, our programs model the value of Texas-local art and creativity in our everyday lives and dreams for the future.
We platform the perspectives of thousands of artists, independent creatives, musicians, filmmakers and craftspeople in Texas, distributing $1M in commissions since 2014. Our programs pioneer unique, community-based models for arts and culture in all kinds of spaces—from museums to city streets to parks—actively developing creative opportunities and public infrastructure.
Citywide Programs
① THE FRONT
MARKET
The Front Market is an independent marketplace and craft fair. One of the largest and longest-running craft fairs in Central Texas, the program has welcomed 40,000+ guests and showcased more than 2,000 local artists, designers, chefs, makers, creative small business owners and craftspeople in Texas since 2016.
Learn more here.
② THE FRONT
FESTIVAL
The Front Festival celebrates Austin’s DIY culture and independent music, film and art across Texas. Curated for historic Austin stages from an annual open call, we put Texas women and LGBTQ+ artists shaping the city and the state at the front of our lineups.
Learn more here.
③ COMMUNITY
STUDIO
Located in historic East Austin, our 1900 E. 12th Community Studio is a 1000 sq. ft. gathering space and gallery, designed as a third space for open learning, community development, craft workshops, art shows and creative pop-ups.
The studio includes a co-location model, currently housing Austin-local boutique and third space The Little Gay Shop.
Stop by during public hours, become a member or book a rental. Learn more here.
④ OPEN CREATIVE
SCHOOL
Our 10-year folk school traditions have become a foundational Creative Leadership Curriculum.
Seasonally, we offer professional development, trainings and workshops around creative industries and good business. Together, we’re building public education and cultural infrastructure that strengthens Central Texas’ artists and creative workforce.
-
To power public programming and further creative spaces in Texas, Future Front provides fiscal sponsorship and capacity-building support to Austin-based independent artists and creative leaders, pioneering their own public programs, third space initiatives and community projects.
Through this program, we have unlocked more than $500,000 in funding for diverse projects across Texas.
-
Create for the public. Annually, we work with 15 Austin artists to strengthen their approaches to public exhibition and community engagement.
Collaborating within our programs or with our partners—like The Contemporary Austin, The LINE Hotel Austin and Pease Park—Resident Artists work with us to create everything from public performance series to life-size installations.
Designed for emerging visual and sound artists with community practices in Central Texas, the program includes structured, year-long professional development from Future Front’s staff and partners, as well as group exhibitions within Future Front’s programs.
-
Curate for the public. We recruit up to 10 Community Curators to join our Curatorial Advisory Board for a minimum one-year term, starting in September of ever year.
With support, training and peer mentorship from Future Front's staff and leadership team, curators learn to jury Future Front markets and festivals, determine annual awardees, as well as nurture their own creative community practices, public engagement approaches and leadership journeys.
-
Community Clubs are monthly creative community-building and creative wellness workshops led by Future Front members.
From Clay Club to Quilt Camp, Community Clubs are designed to bring local creativity and craft to Austin residents.
-
Future Front partners with The LINE Hotel Austin to host a two-night creative retreat for Central Texas artists in the heart of downtown Austin.
Known for its legacy of supporting artists and integrating creativity into the guest experience, The LINE Austin provided the perfect backdrop for a community-focused approach to creative visibility.
Together, we created an alternative retreat experience—removed from the everyday rhythm and everyday life to retreat with intention.
-
Future Front hosts weekly Office Hours for Austin artists, creatives and cultural leaders over Zoom at noon each Friday.
Bring your questions about Future Front’s programs or come through to workshop your own problems, concerns and recommendations.
To join future Office Hours, email hello@futurefronttexas.org.
-
Hosted with partners, Future Front curates Field Trips to historic sites, creative venues and public green spaces to mindfully explore community stories.
⑤ PUBLIC SPACE
PARTNERSHIPS
Over the last decade, we have used Future Front’s frameworks for community design and engagement to bring dynamic programs to the public.
We incubate, design, curate and manage a range of place-making and place-keeping programs in all kinds of spaces—from museums to city streets to public parks.
-
Future Front is a proud member of the Govalle Creative Trust, a coalition of arts organizations working to secure affordable space and sustainable workforce development for East Austin’s creative community ecosystem.
-
HOT SUMMER NIGHTS MARKET is free and open to the public on July 18, 2026 as a one-night pop-up for Austin's Hot Summer Nights festival. As a collaboration between Future Front, The Front Market and Red River Cultural District, the market cultivates creative small businesses and cultural economies in Austin’s densest historic live music corridor. Learn more here.
-
In celebration of Pride Month, Pease Park Conservancy partners with Future Front Texas to present an annual Pride Picnic—a day of abundant sunshine and community vibes at Austin’s first and oldest public park.
Every year, thousands of visitors gather in Austin’s oldest public park to enjoy variety of outdoor workshops and the opportunity to support over 30 pop-up shops featuring local LGBTQ+ artists, makers, designers, and independent creatives.
-
Annually, Future Front takes over The LINE Hotel to amplify emerging artists and independent creatives living in Central Texas.
Featuring independent artists and local cultural icons, consider these installations a love note to their work—and an introduction to the city we call home. Here, we let creativity emerge.
Since 2017, The Line Hotel Austin’s Emerge Program has amplified 175+ Austin artists with more than lip service.
Through strategic art installations in the lobby, community swims on the hotel’s pool deck and support for The Front Festival, the program has generated $80,000+ in support for independent creatives and collectives.
-
Designed by Future Front for the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, VIBE Downtown amplifies the art, local culture and vibe of Austin, Texas.
VIBE Downtown fund $30,000s in commissions for local artists and creatives, as well as year-round public engagement support for downtown Austin’s stakeholders and underutilized spaces.
-
As part of a strategic collaboration with Waterloo Greenway and Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park to support Austin’s creative small business community, Future Front facilitates vendor management for Creek Show and Dia de Los Muertos.
-
Since 2017, Future Front has hosted women artists, creative leaders activists, musicians and cultural icons across the U.S. for International Women's Day and Women's History Month during SXSW. Bridging local and global, our official and unofficial showcases celebrate the power of women’s contributions to culture and community in Texas and beyond.
Attend events, become a member or apply.
As part of Future Front’s commitment to Open Learning, we created the Downtown Austin Creative Retreat to provide Central Texas artists and musicians with complimentary stays at The LINE Hotel Austin, 1:1 coaching and peer mentorship, one full year of Events Membership at Future Front, as well as free access to all retreat programming.