A Letter From The Director: Future Front’s $65,000 NEA Grant Termination
Due to the termination of the National Endowment of the Arts’ cooperative agreement with South Arts, Future Front’s $65,000 ArtsHERE grant award was rescinded on May 5, 2025
Due to recent rollbacks and bans on federal diversity programs across the country, our communities and public spaces—like libraries, museums and arts organizations—are facing unprovoked defunding.
This includes Future Front’s recently terminated $65,000 award from the National Endowment of the Arts.
Continue reading for a note from our Executive Director, Jane Hervey.
What do you need to know and how can you help?
“Due to the termination of the National Endowment of the Arts’ cooperative agreement with South Arts, Future Front’s $65,000 ArtsHERE grant award was rescinded on May 5, 2025.
Future Front will no longer receive these promised funds, alongside countless other prestigious and award-winning arts and culture organizations across Texas and America.
I recognize that this news comes at a difficult time for Austin’s arts and culture landscape. With the City of Austin’s cultural funding ecosystem now also under review and delayed, you may read this and immediately wonder what’s next.
We are not going anywhere. If you can support our work during this loss, I highly encourage becoming a member (click here) or contributing an annual donation at futurefronttexas.org/donate.
Find meaningful and measurable ways to include arts organizations, artists, makers, cultural workers, filmmakers, musicians, curators, creative producers, designers and community-builders alike in your personal, professional and philanthropic budgets now.
Community will always keep local art and creativity alive and well. We’re proud to be a part of this one.”
— Jane Hervey, Founding Director at Future Front
Looking for resources? Need time to recenter?
Join us for an Open Sounds Healing Studio at The Future Front House with wellness practitioner and multdisciplinary artist Sara Palma on June 20. Click here for details.
CONTRIBUTE TO LOCAL FUNDING FEEDBACK:
Contribute feedback to or join a focus group with the City of Austin by June 5, 2025 for the Creative Reset here: https://www.austintexas.gov/page/creative-reset
BRUSH UP ON MINDSETS & STRATEGIES FOR THESE TIMES FROM OUR BLOG:
On Austin’s Natural Ecosystems and Creative Community: Squirrel Fest 2025
On April 12, 2025, we hosted a soft afternoon of all-ages creative workshops, outdoor DJ sets and community vibes during Pease Park’s Squirrel Fest—an annual day to celebrate Spring, Austin’s natural ecosystems and the city’s iconic native squirrel.
On April 12, 2025, we hosted a soft afternoon of all-ages creative workshops, outdoor DJ sets and community vibes during Pease Park’s Squirrel Fest—an annual day to celebrate Spring, Austin’s natural ecosystems and the city’s iconic native squirrel. Experiences included:
Make A Clay Forest Friend with Tanya Zal
DIY Friendship Weavings with Future Front
Pease Park Bird Bingo & Coloring with Where’d The Wild Things Go
Nature Painting Picnic with Kayla Kennedy
DJ Sets In The Park with HoneyPocket and Hierba Malita
Hands-on activities, yoga, food trucks and pop-ups (like Garbo’s and Gem’s Sweets Bakeshop), plus playtime in the park curated by Pease Park Conservancy and other Squirrel Fest partners
Outdoor film screening of “The Wild Robot (2024)”
As always, thousands of Austin families joined us for a beautiful day in Austin’s first (and oldest) public park.
Scroll for a visual recap.
PS — We are fundraising for our future. Find ways to support below:
The Front Market's Spring 2025 Season: The Official Recap
For The Front Market’s Spring 2025 Season, we exhibited 175+ independent artists, makers and creatives, welcoming 5,000 visitors across the state of Texas.
For The Front Market’s Spring 2025 Season, we exhibited 175+ independent artists, makers and creatives, welcoming 5,000 visitors across the state of Texas.
Keep reading for a full look at this season’s impact.
This season’s three highlights:
★ No. 1 — 5,000+ VISITORS & 150+ ARTISTS AND MAKERS
From ceramicists and fiber artists to woodworkers and jewelry makers, we exhibited more than 150 women and LGBTQ+ artists, makers, creatives and independent craftspeople across Texas, with an average of 2,500 visitors joining us each day.
★ No. 2 — 100% COMMUNITY-LED CURATION & PRODUCTION TEAMS
It took six staff members, 20 board members, 15 event volunteers, 200+ collaborators and six months of planning to open The Front Market’s Spring 2025 Season at Distribution Hall.
★ No. 3 — $1,500+ DONATIONS RAISED, $10,000+ IN COMMISSIONS & CONTRACTS DISTRIBUTED
Thanks to support from our members, volunteers and sponsors at Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Distribution Hall, The City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division, Moontower Rentals, Miscellaneous Rentals, Topo Chico the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation and Texas Commission on The Arts, we were able to keep the market free and open to the public, with complimentary community workshops each day.
The market’s production and programming generated more than $10,000 in direct commissions and contracts for independent artists, creative teams and local collectives, too.
You can read about this season in TRIBEZA, Austin American-Statesman, KXAN and more.
BASK IN THE VISUAL RECAP.
All photos by Jeffrey Jin and Yvonne Uwah
THREE WAYS TO STAY INVOLVED:
✰ Head to thefrontmarket.com (click here) to tap into the spring 2025 Season lineup of vendors, workshops, DJs, and collaborators at anytime.
✰ Remember why spaces like The Front Market matter.
We dive deeper into what supporting diverse artists, makers and craftspeople, as well as local art and creativity, means at thefrontmarket.com/mindset.
✰ Explore all we do at Future Front—and find what’s for you—at futurefronttexas.org/programming.
Thank you to our sponsors, partners and friends.
✰
Thank you to our sponsors, partners and friends. ✰
The Front Market would not be able to nurture creative communities without support from our sponsors, members, staff, volunteers, friends and you. Thank you.
The Front Market will return this November for our Fall 2025 Season.
Applications will open July 2025 at thefrontmarket.com/apply.
Introducing This Year's Community Clay Fellows
The Broad Studios Club House x Future Front Community Clay Fellowship awards 12 students with six free weeks of ceramic classes every year.
We're back for another year of clay, community and creative growth—welcoming a new class of fellows to The Broad Studios Club House x Future Front Community Clay Fellowship.
This fellowship emerged last year as a pay-it-forward project—generously funded by the independent artists behind the women-owned Broad Studios Club House—to make ceramics more financially accessible as an artistic practice and form of creative entrepreneurship.
The response was overwhelming: 170+ applications, 12 funded six-week classes, and a community-led, ranked-choice selection process that helped us build the foundation for what this program has become.
We're thrilled to introduce this year's cohort of Community Clay Fellows.
Photos by Yvonne Uwah of Broad Studios Club House x Future Front Clay Fellowship Pop-Up
MEET OUR 2025 COMMUNITY CLAY FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS:
Broad Studios Club House x Future Front Community Clay Fellows
Ripley Healy
Venus Davis
Laura Clay Robson
Nina Q. Ho
Veronica Sanchez
Jennifer Steverson
Arthur Moss
Noor Z.K.
Sophia Gonzalez
Cecilia Bates
Daniela Berny
Brandy Dance
ABOUT BROAD STUDIOS CLUB HOUSE:
Broad Studios Club House is a team of ceramic/multidisciplinary artists who opened up a ceramics studio and learning space to create a community where artists at every level can feel welcomed, empowered, and inspired.
Learn more here.
ABOUT FUTURE FRONT:
Homegrown in Austin, Future Front is a community space and exhibition series — with women and LGBTQ+ creatives at the front.
As an arts and culture nonprofit, we’re mother to The Front Market, The Front Festival and The Work Conference. Beyond our flagship exhibitions, we host year-round shows, gatherings and workshops at our creative community space in historic East Austin. Everybody and every body are welcome. You can learn more about how it all works, our team and what we do: futurefronttexas.org.
P.S. WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN FUTURE UPCOMING CALLS?
Check back year-round.
Meet 6 Of This Year's Fiscally Sponsored Cultural Projects
Future Front provides ongoing fiscal sponsorship, mentorship and capacity-building support to independent cultural producers’ public creative projects in Austin.
Future Front provides ongoing fiscal sponsorship, mentorship and capacity-building support to independent cultural producers’ public creative projects in Austin.
In 2025, we’ve welcomed a number of new Austin-based projects by independent artists and creatives.
Keep reading to get familiar with their work and support.
Meet 6 Of This Year's Fiscal Sponsorees:
Photo courtesy of Drunkluck
① THE CARNE ASADA
Produced by Drunkluck in collaboration with Cantina Siete Seis and Nixta Taqueria, “The Carne Asada” was a fiesta de comida, música y comunidad bringing together Austin and Mexico City behind a giant “parilla on wheels.”
To keep up with more cultural events and projects by Drunkluck, head here.
Photo courtesy of Sunday Sessions ATX
② SUNDAY SESSIONS
Sunday Sessions is about relaxation, good music, and connection with each other & nature. It started in April of 2023 when Wyldflower would play music at the park for her friends- barefoot, eating mangos, carefree. 2 months later there were 400+ people of color picnicking together at one of Austin's biggest, most notable parks.
Founded by DJ Wyldflower, Sunday Sessions is ultimately a monthly wellness ritual. An opportunity to relax, connect with your people, while listening to music that feeds the soul in a scenic Austin greenspace. All are welcome—Black and Brown people are centered.
Sunday Sessions pops up year-round and operates off of community donations. To make a donation, head here.
③ HOUSE HUNTING
House Hunting was a one-night experiential dinner in Austin that merged art, food, and connection through immersion. Inspired by Todd Hido’s photographs of homes at night, the evening explored themes of nostalgia, belonging, and memory—inviting guests into a glowing, thoughtfully curated environment that felt both intimate and expansive. Hosted at The Loren and Paggi House, the event brought together artists, creatives, and community members for a night of thoughtful dialogue and sensory experience.
Building on its success, we hope to grow House Hunting into an ongoing series that continues to foster meaningful connection and creative exchange within the community.
To keep up with future iterations of the project, follow multidisciplinary creative Megan T. Baker (@megantbaker) and independent curator Taylor Danielle Davis (@tayxday).
④ BLOODBATH STUDIO COMMUNITY FASHION SHOWS
Bloodbath Studio has produced 3 immersive fashion, film, and art exhibitions spotlighting queer and BIPOC creatives. Blending runway and visual storytelling, their shows uplift underrepresented artists through a transformative public event celebrating authenticity, artistry, and community resilience.
Their next December ceremony will shine a spotlight on even more designers, inviting the public to further engage with the creative process behind their productions.
You can make a donation to Bloodbath Studio here.
⑤ BROAD STUDIOS CLUB HOUSE COMMUNITY CLAY FELLOWSHIP
Through Future Front’s fiscal sponsorship program, Broad Studios Club House presents an annual Community Clay Fellowship.
The program’s fellows receive full funding for a six week ceramics course, and have the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors. Broad Studios Club House believes that having access to creative resources is vital to the community—and financial means should never be a barrier to high-quality arts education.
You can find out more about us at broadstudiosclubhouse.com or @bsclubhouse on Instagram and TikTok! You can also make a donation to the fellowship here.
⑥ LISTENING SESSIONS FOR LA
Listening Sessions For LA was a live music salon and mutual aid fundraiser benefiting Los Angeles’ Wildfire Recovery efforts. Organized by Austin-based artists and creative industry professionals Cassandra Shankman, Anita Schipper, Jane Hervey, Kaitlyn Dineen, Alyssa Hart, Rachel Saporito, Emily Whetstone, Jeff Holmes, Kendall Milo, Will Krause, Madilyn Biscoe, Reese Cisneros, Sierra Gutierrez, Whitney Tocco, Arielle Olfers, Meghan Rossi, and many more.
Get details here: https://bit.ly/m/livemusicforla
P.S. WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
On Art, Healing and Cultures of Care: Ceremony
From November 2024 to February 2025, we hosted Ceremony, a collaborative group show celebrating independent visual artists in our 2024/25 Artist Residency.
From November 2024 to February 2025, we hosted Ceremony, a collaborative group show celebrating independent visual artists in our 2024/25 Artist Residency.
Opening during East Austin Studio Tour (EAST) in November 2024 and running through March 2025, the program welcomed a cumulative 2,670 visitors and 27 individual artists across weekly daily visiting hours and 12 public gatherings.
Continue reading to learn more.
✹ ABOUT THE SHOW, CEREMONY
Centering ritual and craft, "Ceremony" was an exploration of the personal and communal routines that return us to ourselves.
Engaging 15 emerging artists based in Austin, Texas, the multidisciplinary and interactive exhibit explored themes of mental health, connection, collaboration, as well as the role art plays in self-soothing and community-building. Exhibiting artists included Iris Kwon (Child Appetite), Jeffrey Jin, Emily Lawson (Emsbrynart), Liz Moskowitz, Damino, Rewon Shimray, Leah Bury, Victoria Cardeñas (Wavy Roller), Elena Marcozzi, Maria Kanevskaya, Yvonne Uwah, Christopher Rodriguez (Wilted Nurture), Kedreonia Freeman (Kei Dycor) and Kayla Kennedy.
Featured works included installations, like:
a dynamic photo mosaic of 20+ prints by artist Jeffrey Jin, which presented a constellation of community portraits celebrating intimate moments of intergenerational connection
an interactive flipbook by artist Leah Bury, providing guided prompts for arts healing, self-discovery and self-image
a series of paintings by felt artist and oil painter Elena Marcozzi, expanding on the vitality of cultivating a safe inner world
Complementing the exhibit, we hosted 12 public workshops and interactive sessions that provided guided and facilitated moments for visitors to explore various wellness modalities, like sound healing, meditation and creative expression rooted in arts healing.
Within the show, visitors learned techniques like somatic stretching and self-guided meditation, as well as explored their own perspectives on mental health, connection and creative self-expression through facilitated workshops utilizing disciplines like collage, clay-making, poetry and more.
MEET ALL PARTICIPATING ARTISTS BELOW:
Iris works as an artist under the name Child Appetite because holding onto her childhood memories keeps her grounded through experiences of not fitting into any cultures. Over the past few years, she has studied and explored her memories, transforming rather dark moments into whimsical pieces using vibrant colors and humorous characterized animals. Her art is a continuous journey of turning personal history into visual narratives that invite viewers to rediscover the magic and resilience of childhood. She aims to evoke a sense of nostalgia and curiosity in strangers, believing that even though everyone’s experiences and memories are different, there is always an overlap.
Jeffrey Jin (b. 2003) is a photographer with roots in Houston working across a variety of genres—primarily documentary and fine art—to explore themes of togetherness and belonging. Through their images, they hope to unravel and reimagine narratives behind family, heritage, and land. Their process often urges them to think about their identity as an Asian American (as both its own entity and in the context of diaspora) queerness, sexuality, corporeality, and their deep affection for the South.
Emily Bryn (she/her) was raised in a multigenerational Mexican household in Austin, Texas and has lived here ever since. Being Mexicana, Tejana, and a queer person shapes the entirety of her work, which stretches from oil painting to screen printing and every little thing in between. Though she devotes her time to learning and expanding her creativity in freelance opportunities around the city, she also runs Emsbrynart, LLC full-time. Emily Bryn is the owner of her company where she screen prints playful drawings and slogans about queer and immigration rights onto up-cycled vintage clothing, reallocating a percentage of sales back into her two communities. Being a full-time artist at the age of 23, she can be found at markets around town, in literally any coffee shop trying to refuel herself, or taking a break to read and cool off at Deep Eddy Pool.
Liz Moskowitz (she/her) is a documentary photographer and filmmaker. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York she has lived in Austin, Texas for over fifteen years. Her work aims to honor the dignity and nuance of people, places, and issues. She approaches each individual and community that she photographs with intentionality and an open-mind. Her films have won the Judge’s Choice Winner at the SXSW Faces of Austin Film Premiere, been a Vimeo Staff Pick, broadcast on the PBS "Frame of Mind" series, and shown at Woodstock Film Festival, AFI Fest, Dallas International Film Festival, and Sedona International Film Festival. She has been awarded grants from the Dallas Museum of Art, Henry Luce Foundation, and Austin Film Society, has several photos in The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University, and is a member of Women Photograph.
Damino is an interdisciplinary artist based out of ATX. Their love of music, art and wellness informs the work they create. They are currently focusing on releasing their first official EP, but are known for performing energizing hybrid live DJ sets. They also run their company Day by Day Wellness and curate events with @enter.chakana, @babeatx & @artislandatx. They are passionate about uplifting marginalized voices in the entertainment industry.
Rewon Shimray is a native Austinite and biethnic Asian American who processes her cultural and queer identity through autobiographical paintings. Her compositions blend childhood photographs, popular iconography, and cultural artifacts to narrate her upbringing in white dominant and Christian fundamentalist spaces. Rewon’s paintings offer a site of contemplation, recognition and connection. She earned a BA in Journalism from Baylor University with minors in religion and studio art. Rewon has exhibited work in over a dozen Austin galleries, including her debut solo exhibition in May 2023, titled “SPLIT: Portraits of the AAPI Diaspora.”
Leah Bury is a multimedia artist whose work spans photography, collage, writing, and music, with a focus on shining a spotlight on emotions and experiences that exist in the shadows. Through her art, Leah explores the liminal spaces between different ideas, identities, and emotions—those vulnerable, complex moments that are difficult to put into words. Her goal is to create work that others can see themselves reflected in, offering a tangible jumping-off point for connection. This theme runs through her photography, including her Dear Body series, where she worked with over two dozen individuals to celebrate the body and encourage participants to write letters of love to areas they once felt shame around, and her Projections series, which explored the complexity of multifaceted identities. Recently, Leah has expanded her practice by releasing music under the name Liminalia. In addition to her artistic pursuits, she is a curator, and the co-founder of the Slow Fashion Festival, dedicated to fostering spaces for other creatives to share their work and build community.
Victoria Cardenas (she/her), aka Wavy Roller, was raised in Buda, Texas and now currently resides in Austin. She is a self-taught artist that primarily works with acrylic on canvas but is constantly exploring other creative methods such as murals, screen printing, block printing, and more! Her love for sharing art began with vending and meeting others that can relate to her art, as it gave her the courage to keep going creatively. Her art explores connection (and lack of connection) that is all around her; with herself & her own trauma, others, and nature. She explores these feelings through fun calming colors and shape. She believes it's important to find her relation to everything in existence no matter how big or small!
Elena Marcozzi is an oil painter and fiber artist who beckons viewers into a dreamlike world of texture and color through her wool felt paintings, adorned with whimsical beaded and embroidered embellishments. In her daily life, Elena finds meaning and creative inspiration working alongside artists with disabilities at Imagine Art, a studio collective that furthers her belief in using art to empower and heal.
Yvonne Uwah is a self-taught photographer living in Austin, Texas. She began using photography out of a deep desire to connect with and acknowledge other people. Because of this, her work primarily focuses on portraiture and what emerges when investing time into relationships.
Kedreonia Freeman (aka Kei Dycor) is a macrame and crochet fiber artist born and raised in Austin, Texas. Her work reflects themes of cultural roots, spirituality, and transformation. Her distinctive approach to color invites viewers into a vivid world of texture and contrast by blending traditional techniques with abstract concepts. In her work, Kedreonia seeks to communicate emotion and welcome viewers to connect with her journey of healing, motivation, and artistic exploration.
Maria Kanevskaya (she/her) is a Russian-born photographer currently living and working in Austin, Texas. Her focus in photography is to capture human emotions, mostly exploring female subjects and their internal reality.
Austin-based, Kayla Kennedy (she/her) is a self-taught abstraction artist. Born in Long Beach and raised in Portland, Kayla’s inspiration stems from all those she has encountered on her life’s journey. While pursuing a career in interior design, Kayla was inspired to begin creating art, birthing a new way of self-expression. While most of her art involves acrylic on canvas, she enjoys exploring all mediums creating texture and depth. Kayla hopes to inspire creativity and impact those in her community.
Wilted Nurture is the mental health of artist and business owner, Christopher (they/them), brought to life. They began their pottery journey back in 2021, when their childhood traumas resurfaced, as a way to channel the emotions and emptiness they felt all throughout life. It is mainly through pottery that they were able to begin healing and find solace within their past. Christopher is fully self taught, creates with intent and hand builds every piece with no mechanical wheels. They create not only for the wellness of their mental health, but to publicly share their experiences and advocate for those who may also struggle with their mental health as a reminder that it’s okay to not always feel okay.
DID YOU MISS CEREMONY?
Keep up with what we’re up to at Future Front—from events to membership—here.
FUTURE FRONT IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY The City of Austin Economic Development Department, ArtsHERE, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Texas Commission on the Arts, The LINE Hotel Austin, Pease Park Conservancy, the Red River Cultural District, Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, Topo Chico, as well as Future Front’s donors and members.
Women’s History Month x SXSW: A Week of Global Collaboration
Every year during SXSW, Future Front hosts artists, creatives, cultural workers and activists across the U.S. for International Women's Day and Women's History Month.
Every year during SXSW, Future Front hosts artists, creatives, cultural workers and activists across the U.S. for International Women's Day and Women's History Month.
This year, we welcomed dynamic collaborations with local and national organizations, including Jane's Due Process, Highlander Center, SisterSong, Repro Uncensored, The National Latina Institute, FEMINIST, The Afiya Center and more.
Thank you to Monica Raye Simpson, Madame Gandhi, Jasmine Solano, Zyah Belle, Jasmine Zelaya, SM Sanz, RaeCola, DJ Bad Apple, Aisha Becker-Burrowes, Austin Zine Friends, Essentials Creative, DJ Ella Ella, Highlander Center, SisterSong, Repro Uncensored, Jane's Due Process, The Gallery ATX and more for making the week possible.
*All photos by Future Front resident artist Jeffrey Jin
Scroll for a visual recap.
Want to get involved?
Keep an eye out for open calls and upcoming events at futurefronttexas.org.
PS — We are fundraising for our future. Find ways to support below:
When A City Changes, What Does Investing In Artists, Creatives And Homegrown Culture Look Like?
In 2024, our leadership team worked with the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation to publish its first Artists and Creatives Thrive report, exploring cultural relationships to downtown Austin.
In 2024, our team worked with the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation to publish its first Artists and Creatives Thrive Report, exploring cultural investment in downtown Austin.
Continue reading for the report's findings and key insights.
Austin has a long and well-documented creative history.
As the city rapidly grows, centering Austin’s diverse creative communities in cultural planning continues to drive belonging, economic growth & long-lasting culture.
Simultaneously, this growth has posed many questions and barriers for cross-community traditions, arts access, ongoing public engagement in culture and impactful creative empowerment in austin’s built environment.
So, how can we rise to these challenges?
Downtown Austin Alliance’s Active Urbanism team engaged with Future Front Texas to use the 501c3 arts and culture organization’s community design frameworks & public engagement approaches to identify new responses, programmatic designs and impact metrics toward this question.
Project Goals
impact
Identify the desired impact of “Artists & Creatives Thrive” initiatives facilitated in downtown Austin by the Downtown Austin Alliance and Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation
FLAGSHIP VIBE
Inform programmatic options for new cultural initiatives that meet the desired impact metrics established by the report
ALIGNMENT
Recommend planning, engagement and programming efforts that expand downtown Austin’s creative community partnership & involvement
When artists and creatives thrive, culture thrives, too. So, when a city’s built environment rapidly changes, what should investing in culture — aka the vibe — look like? We asked independent creatives, artists and cultural producers themselves.
HOW PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OCCURRED
3 Downtown Field Trips
with 50+ participants at DAA cultural programs & partner events
25+ Creative Community Chats
with 50+ participants at DAA cultural programs & partner events
4 Active Urbanism Committee Meetings
with 15 public servants and 12+ AU Staff Meetings
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT TIMELINE
Research Included Downtown Voices, Like:
What We Heard From Artists & Creatives
on what’s missing from downtown austin’s built environment:
“Public art experiences and creative activities that speak to the human experience, conviviality beyond art on the walls... opportunities that engage the muscle memory of physically moving through urban spaces with curiosity.”
artists AND creatives want to see SUSTAINED OPPORTUNITIES THAT model Cross-community collaboration AND open invitations to the public.
Ultimately, when it comes to the culture of our communities, the vibe must be more than visible art on our walls.
It must be modeled. It must be experienced.
Why Are Creatives Important To The Culture of Public Spaces, like Downtown Austin?
Local Economy
Supports opportunities for emergence of hyperlocal small businesses and ongoing cultural tourism
Strong Brand
Encourages memory-building & organic storytelling
Belonging
Includes stakeholders beyond development & business
What Kind of Creatives Make Culture?
& How Can Homegrown Culture Grow?
① How can you apply these findings to your own cultural programming and community engagement?
② Where can you make space for local art and creativity in your daily life—and plans for the future?
③ What does it look like to invest in the experience of community?
HERE’S HOW THESE FINDINGS WILL BE APPLIED IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN:
Introducing $30K in micro-grants to fund local cultural experiences, establishing an application process and promoting grants through community channels
Fostering continuous engagement with local artists and creatives by hosting town hall meetings, forming partnerships with arts organizations and organizing networking events
Activating downtown public spaces to boost community interaction by organizing public art installations, as well as interactive events that include collaboration between urban planners and the local creative community
Creating arts and culture programs tailored to community needs by conducting surveys and focus groups, studying successful national programs and piloting new initiatives
Ensuring the availability of creative spaces and continuous funding by repurposing vacant buildings, establishing long-term funding sources and offering affordable studio spaces
BEHIND THIS REPORT
This report reflects a year-long community design effort for Downtown Austin Alliance and Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, facilitated by executive leaders from 501c3 arts and culture organization Future Front Texas.
Future Front Leadership Team
Jane Hervey, Lead
Xochi Solis, Lead
Downtown Austin Alliance Staff
Raasin McIntosh, Lead
Emily Risinger, Co-Lead
Amanda Baez
Jenell Moffett
Leta Harrison
Marilyn Willson
Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation Board of Directors
Dewitt Peart, Secretary, Downtown Austin
Jennifer Wiebrand, Gables Residential
Kevin Brown, DuBois Bryant & Campbell
Nick Moulinet, Chair, DPR Construction
SaulPaul, SaulPaul Productions, Foundation
Xavier Pena, St. David’s Foundation
Participating Active Urbanism Committee Members (DAA)
Nick Moulinet, Chair
Adrienne Brown
Albi Hasku
Andy Austin
Ashley Kegley-Whitehead
Dan Jefferson
Eric Schultz
Heather Hart Potts
Janis Daemmrich
Kevin Brown
Lindsay Palmer
Marissa Rivera
Martin Nembhard
Michael Girard
Rachel Blair
Rebecca Senchak
Sania Shifferd
SaulPaul
Xavier Peña
Presenting Organizations
The Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) is the steward of a collective vision for downtown Austin and enhances every aspect of the downtown experience. DAA is on a mission to create, preserve and enhance the vibe, vitality and value of downtown Austin for everyone. Currently, the organization supports multiple programs for artists, creatives and cultural producers in Downtown Austin. Learn more about DAA at downtownaustin.com. Learn more about DAA’s programs for artists and creatives at downtownaustin.com/foundation/dasa.
The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation of the Downtown Austin Alliance that serves underserved and underrepresented populations downtown, using art and cultural placemaking to cultivate a welcoming, safe and vibrant Downtown Austin by and for everyone. Foundation programs are made possible through the support of charitable contributions. The Downtown Austin Alliance absorbs all overhead and administrative expenses of the Foundation, ensuring 100% of donations go directly back to the community. Learn more at downtownaustin.com/foundation.
Homegrown in Austin, Future Front is an award-winning cultural space and public exhibition series—with women and LGBTQ+ creatives at the front. As a 501c3 arts and culture nonprofit, we produce two annual community-led exhibitions, The Front Market and The Front Festival, platforming independent artists and creatives across disciplines in Texas. Beyond our flagship exhibitions, we host seasonal shows and workshops at our creative space in East Austin, welcoming 20,000+ visitors per year. Through these programs and a diverse network of partnerships, we invite the public (including you) to dream of a future where local art and creativity thrive in Texas—where we see ourselves and our cultures reflected in our communities.
Do you want to get involved?
Introducing Our 2025 Calendar And Open Calls
It’s time for a close read. Bookmark Future Front’s big event and open calls dates for 2025.
It’s time for a close read.
As we open for the 2025 Season, bookmark Future Front’s big event and open calls dates for 2025.
✰ 2025 BIG EVENT DATES:
FUTURE FRONT CURATES AND PRODUCES THE FRONT MARKET and THE FRONT FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR.
Beyond our exhibitions, we host seasonal art shows, gatherings and workshops nurturing creative community at our flagship space in historic East Austin.
Event registration opens on a weekly basis at futurefronttexas.org/comethrough (all of these events will be up there soon).
SPRING 2025 SEASON
JANUARY 26, 2025 — Future Front’s Annual Open Creative Learning Series Returns!
FEBRUARY 15, 2025 — "History In The Making" Opens at the Future Front House
MARCH 8 — 16, 2025 — SXSW Week @ The Future Front House
MAY 3 & 4, 2025 — The Front Market’s Spring 2025 Season @ Distribution Hall
SUMMER 2025 SEASON
JUNE 26, 2025 — Swim Sessions Return!
JUNE 28, 2025 — Pride Picnic at Pease Park
JULY 17 TO 19, 2025 — Future Front’s Fourth Birthday
JULY 30, 2025 — Community Clubs 2025 Season Begins!
LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2025 — The Front Festival
FALL/WINTER 2025 SEASON
NOVEMBER 2025 — The Front Market’s Fall 2025 Season
Mark your calendar now. Make plans to visit or get involved!
✰ 2025 OPEN CALLS:
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SHARE YOUR CREATIVE WORK, GET INTO OUR OPEN CALLS.
From these open calls, we platform 500+ independent artists, creatives, makers, designers, filmmakers, musicians and community leaders in Texas per year.
SPRING 2025 SEASON
JANUARY 23, 2025 — The Front Market Spring 2025 Season Applications Open
APRIL 3, 2025 — Community Club Host Open Call
APRIL 2025 — Broad Studios x Future Front Ceramics Fellowship Open Call
SUMMER 2025 SEASON
MAY 13, 2025 — Future Front Curator Program Open Call
MAY 29, 2025 — Future Front’s Annual Resident Artist & DJ Open Call
MAY 29, 2025 —The Front Festival's Independent Music and Film Open Call
AUGUST 2025 — The Front Market Fall 2025 Season Applications Open
You can also join membership for complimentary access to all of our events, workshops and learning spaces year-round.
All open calls will be listed as they are made available at futurefronttexas.org/apply.
✰ THIS YEAR’S ANNUALl THEME: CLOSE READ
IN 2024, WE GATHERED AROUND RITUAL.
Inspired by the Texas cosmos and the little-big cycles of our lives (from election seasons to daily routines), our 2024 theme reminded us to zoom in and out. To reimagine, reexamine or simply remember the rituals connecting us to ourselves, our communities and our cultures.
IN 2025, WE’RE CONDUCTING A CLOSE READ.
It’s been one decade since we hosted the first creative meet-up that led to Future Front. So, it’s time for a close read.
This year’s shows, public exhibitions, workshops, resource guides (and more) will ask you to pay close attention, to ask questions and consider big ideas, to make notes in the proverbial margins. To connect how something came to be to what it feels like now—the ultimate creative process.
Do you want to get involved in 2025?
Our programs model the value of local art and creativity in our everyday lives and dreams for the future.
Become a member or donate to our fundraiser.
You can also explore all of the other ways to join us here.
Meet The Artist Behind Future Front's "Mom" Merch
Last season, we collaborated with artist Lola Budimir (a featured creative within The Front Market) to design a fresh take on the Future Front logo, inspired by vintage I <3 Mom tats—and the goods are finally here.
Last season, we collaborated with artist Lola Budimir (a featured creative within The Front Market) to design a fresh take on the Future Front logo, inspired by vintage I <3 Mom tats—and the goods are finally here.
If you stop by an event this season, make your way to the future front information station and grab some mementos of your own.
Scroll to meet this season’s merch designer and explore what’s new in the shop.
✰ Introducing this season’s merch designer, Austin-based artist and tattooist Lola Budimir.
Lola (she/her) is a DIY artist and printmaker from Serbia living in Austin, Texas. She does flyers, merch designs, album covers, tattoos, and other personal commissions for friends, musicians, and artists in Texas! She has recently expanded her endeavors into DIY screenprinting and recycled apparel making under the name of Milk Maiden. When she isn’t making art, she loves to play the piano, sing, watch ghost shows, and hang out with her dog (and son), Toad.
You can find her at @milkmaidenatx on Instagram for all of your design needs— any budgets, any thing, anyone!
Grab a tote or trucker hat at Future Front events or from our store below:
This tan trucker hat was hand-embroidered by independent design outfit Goody Bag. Can be worn as a snapback or baseball cap (flexible brim).
Click here or on the image to purchase.
Photo by Yvonne Uwah
This sturdy, natural canvas tote was hand-screen-printed on canvas in Austin, Texas by Goody Bag. Click here or on the image to purchase.
Photo by Yvonne Uwah