Between 2015 and 2019, the City of San Antonio increased its investment in arts and culture by 13% from $7.7 million to $8.5 million. Though the 2022 amount has not returned to the level of investment made before the COVID-19 crisis, it is a significant rebound from the last two years and a 25% increase over 2021. The 2022 amount is a year-end estimate and will be updated after the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is completed in March 2023. In 2023, the Department of Arts and Culture shared updated numbers with SA2020. The 2015-2021 data now reflects audited dollars and is no longer an estimate.
The COVID-19 crisis forced significant cuts to arts and culture investment as the travel and tourism industry slowed and the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT Tax), which is used to primarily fund local arts agencies, took a hit. A City ordinance passed in 2011 requires that 1% of the budget for all capital projects be earmarked for art. A 2022 bond measure raised the amount for public art to 1.5%.
For information on artist grants, public arts, and open calls for artists, visit the City of San Antonio's Department of Arts and Culture online.
Increase City of San Antonio investment in arts by 50% ($12,647,915 by 2030)
| Year | Value | Margin of Error |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $7,566,048 | |
| 2016 | $7,500,511 | |
| 2017 | $7,997,166 | |
| 2018 | $7,699,860 | |
| 2019 | $8,528,016 | |
| 2020 | $6,934,175 | |
| 2021 | $5,735,564 | |
| 2022 | $8,006,806 |
Public Investments in Arts and Culture in San Antonio
City of San Antonio, Department of Arts & Culture
This measure is updated with the City of San Antonio's fiscal year: October 1-September 30. Investment dollars include agencies funded by the City of San of San Antonio and City-sponsored arts and culture events, such as: Centro de Artes and Plaza de Armas Galleries, Poet Laureate Program, and Distinction in Arts Awards.
