In 2025, UNESCO Media Arts Austin launched its inaugural Micro-Grant Program receiving almost 100 applications and awarding $44,000 to 22 local artists and art groups.

The program is designed to strengthen Austin’s vibrant media arts ecosystem by supporting collaborative exhibitions, performances, and screen-based projects that bring together three or more artists, fostering shared visibility, experimentation, and community-driven cultural production.

Micro-Grant Recipients (Alphabetical Order)

Aira Juliet

Austin Asian American Film Festival

Ben Randall

Cage Match Project

Calle Soledad Presa

Cathy Le, Eriane Austria, Kristine Fernandez, and Mavyn Vu

Church of the Friendly Ghost

Cimarrón Co-op

Co-Lab Projects

Concept Animals

Essentials Creative

Fusebox

Future Front

Games Y’all

Hyperreal Film Club

Marty Spellerberg

Nayantara Bhattacharya

p1nkstar

Synth Salon

The Black Auteur Film Festival

Virginia Montgomery and Tiffany Smith

We Luv Video