Definition of “Media Arts”

Media arts is defined by all genres and forms that use electronic media and/or technologies (analog & digital; old and new) as an artistic medium or a medium to broaden arts appreciation and awareness of any discipline. For example, this includes projects presented via film, television, radio, audio, video, the Internet, interactive and mobile technologies, video games, and immersive and multi-platform storytelling.

Grant Details

• $2,000 award 

• Deadlines: July 18-August 18

• If funded, work supported and data collection will be expected to be completed by Dec 31st, 2025. No venue or confirmed event is needed up front

• Notifications: Mid- to Late August

Eligibility

• Organization (informal, non-profit or creative business) or promoter/organizer working in media arts 

• Located in the Greater Austin Area (Austin-Round Rock MSA: Travis, Willamson, Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop)

• 2+ year history

• Operational budget under $1m 

Expectations 

Requirements for data collection

• All applicants

• Testimonials from presenting artists

• Documentation

• Artwork(s)

• Headshot(s)

• Public showcase (if applicable)

• Consent that we can use media assets in the future for grants, reports, funding, and awareness of the media arts ecosystem in Austin

• Artist or participant info (not audience), disaggregated data by age, gender, and sector 

• Organizations or collectives

• Evaluation of the support of artistic employment, especially for individuals with disabilities, women and gender non-conforming individuals, and members of migrant communities. 

• Budget allocations toward media arts

• Any operational investments

• Participation rates in cultural programs.

• Number of registered cultural courses, digital competency workshops, and public spaces dedicated to arts education

Examples of what we will support:

• Group shows including 3 or more media artists’ works

• Events or performances with groups of 3 or more artists including media arts

• Collaborations between groups of 3 or more artists working within media arts

• Internet or screen-based group artwork made by 3 or more Greater Austin Area artists

Examples of what we will not support:

• Solo show or individual artwork 

• Artwork or shows without media arts

Evaluation Criteria

The selection of an artist, or artist team, shall be based on their qualifications and ability to meet the requirements as determined and approved by the Austin UNESCO City of Media Arts Steering Committee. The Committee will review and consider the following evaluation criteria:

Reviewers should consider the following in each category: 

Curiosity and Creativity

• Is there evidence of an ongoing creative tech or arts practice?

• Does the applicant appear to have a genuine interest in media arts?

• Do the applicant’s interests seem applicable to the goals, vibe, and resources of AustinUNESCO Media Arts?

• Do the work samples seem thoughtful or challenging in some way?

• Does the applicant’s body of work and vision seem especially timely, relevant, or unique?

Diverse Perspectives

• Does the artist belong to a segment of Central Texas’s diverse population that has historically been underrepresented in Media Arts. This includes BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabled individuals. 

• Does the applicant or their community face any financial, geographic, or educational barriers to enter into media arts that would be supported by this opportunity? 

• Is the applicant speaking from their own perspective? If they are speaking from someone else’s, do they demonstrate authentic connection, mutual generosity, and engagement with that community?

Opportunity Benefit

• Would the applicant receive an impactful benefit from this that they would not normally have?

• Are they at a career stage where they would get meaningful benefit from participating? 

• Are they seeking new skills, community, ways of working, etc?

• Do they have sufficient grounding in a career or practice to build off of?

• Is the applicant ready to utilize all of the resources of the opportunity? (stipend, mentorship, peers)

• Would having this applicant as a recipient bring a positive benefit to the program as a whole?

Community

• Does an organization's past work define and involve specific constituencies or community groups (defined by geography or characteristics) in the development of the project?

• Has the organization  worked in community, either within the arts, within other fields and/or across communities?

• Does the organization describe how the community informs and engages with the project?

• Does the organization demonstrate authentic connections and relationships with the community and any project partners?

• Does the organization demonstrate a strong sense of mutual generosity and engagement in a community?

2025 community

support Grant