Arts Connect Houston
Arts Connect Houston is a Houston, Texas public charity that brings together the Greater Houston community to expand students’ access to high-quality arts education. Its work includes gathering data, advocating for arts in education, building the capacity of educators and nonprofit partners, and directing resources toward arts-education opportunities.
Arts Connect Houston at a glance
In short: Arts Connect Houston gave $380K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), mostly in Texas. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $380,101
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- Average grant
- $17,277
- Median grant
- $9,837
- Total assets
- $1,254,176
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (5 of 22, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Arts Connect Houston
- How to Apply
-
Arts & Culture Partners apply on behalf of a school in Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, or Houston ISD. The website provides separate application routes for the three districts and says applications are assessed based on school needs and priorities, organizational capabilities, and program elements.
- Review Cycle
- October 15, 2026, for the 2026–27 Arts Action Fund, according to the fund’s website.
- Deadline
- October 15, 2026, for the 2026–27 Arts Action Fund, according to the fund’s website.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1824 Spring St 201, Houston, TX 77077
Phone: (816) 800-0969
Website: https://artsconnecthouston.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Arts Connect Houston funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Diversity in the ARTS & Entertainment ($118K). Together the top 10 received $286K.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 95 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Arts Connect Houston’s mission centers on Greater Houston and begins with Houston ISD. Its 2026–27 Arts Action Fund covers schools in Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, and Houston ISD. All grant dollars itemized for filing year 2025 went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Arts Connect Houston open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 22 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $9K repeat.
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $154K (2023) to $380K (2025). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $380K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity in the ARTS & Entertainment Houston, TX | Arts program support | $118,370 |
| Fashion Museum of Texas Houston, TX | Arts program support | $44,500 |
| Houston Healthy Hip Hop Houston, TX | Arts program support | $23,500 |
| Orange Show Foundation Houston, TX | Arts program support | $16,000 |
| Prelude Music Foundation Houston, TX | Arts program support | $16,000 |
| Gordon Education Initiatives for Performing Arts Houston, TX | Arts program support | $15,250 |
| Fotofest Houston, TX | Arts program support | $14,325 |
| University of Houston Houston, TX | Arts program support | $13,515 |
| Musiqa Houston, TX | Arts program support | $13,460 |
| Ensemble Theater Houston, TX | Arts program support | $11,538 |
Ready to take the next step with Arts Connect Houston?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 grant total represents 22 grants; the 2023 total represents 9 grants, and the 2022 total represents 25 grants.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,254,176 | $1,331,158 | $1,376,837 | $380,101 | 22 | $33,046 |
| 2023 | $1,919,991 | $651,756 | $529,241 | $153,690 | 9 | $152 |
| 2022 | $1,374,054 | $922,629 | $1,027,480 | $356,871 | 25 | — |
| 2021 | $1,281,765 | $189,158 | $782,814 | $224,402 | 22 | — |
| 2020 | $2,102,932 | $2,146,185 | $509,905 | $200,495 | 17 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Arts Connect Houston’s mission is to unite the Greater Houston community to ensure every student has access to high-quality arts education in creative writing, dance, music, theater, and the visual arts, beginning with Houston ISD. The organization says it works through actionable data collection, advocacy, capacity building, and unlocking new investments.
Its grants primarily support arts programming in the Houston area, with the organization’s filing stating that it makes grants mainly to other 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Examples of grantees’ work include Prelude Music Foundation, which says it dispatches teachers to local public elementary schools to teach music; Gordon Education Initiatives for the Performing Arts, which describes its mission as empowering youth voices through the arts; and Open Dance Project, which says it presents dance-theater experiences and provides education and community programming. These are descriptions of the grantees, not Arts Connect Houston.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Arts Connect Houston reported 22 grants totaling $380,101. Grant amounts ranged from $5,220 to $118,370, with a median of $9,837. The largest grants included $118,370 to Diversity in the ARTS & Entertainment, $44,500 to Fashion Museum of Texas, and $23,500 to Houston Healthy Hip Hop. Each was listed for arts program support. Other recipients included Orange Show Foundation ($16,000), Prelude Music Foundation ($16,000), Gordon Education Initiatives for Performing Arts ($15,250), Fotofest ($14,325), Musiqa ($13,460), and Ensemble Theater ($11,538).
The Arts Action Fund supports arts-education partnerships between Arts & Culture Partners and schools. The website says the 2026–27 fund totals $94,000 for programming in Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, and Houston ISD. Arts & Culture Partners apply on behalf of a school, and applications are reviewed for factors including school needs and priorities, organizational capabilities, and program elements. The fund prioritizes underfunded campuses with reduced access to the arts. Arts Connect Houston says grant recipients must submit a final report with related documentation and receipts; the organization’s filing says reports are reviewed and approved by the Grant Director and/or Executive Director.
The 2025–26 cycle is past and closed. For that cycle, the program described Seed Grants of up to $3,500 and Learning, Innovation & Action grants of $5,000–$8,500, with an organization eligible for approval of up to $12,800 total.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael Pipkin as President, Suratha Elango as Vice President, Judy Nyquist as Secretary, and Brett Falkenhagen as Treasurer. Listed directors are William Todd Stein, Lauren Anderson, Caroline Goeser, Harrison Guy, Celeste Barretto Milligan, and Mike Rome.
The organization’s filing states that Mid-America Arts Alliance has the ability to appoint a simple majority of Arts Connect Houston’s board members.
Arts Connect Houston is led by Jack McBride, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jack McBride
Executive Director
Treasurer → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$92K (2025)
Michael Pipkin
President
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline Goeser
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Anderson
Director
Vice President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harrison Guy
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ivan Lundberg
Director of Finance
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Todd Stein
Director
CEO → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Celeste Barretto Milligan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Rome
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy Nyquist
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brett Falkenhagen
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suratha Elango
Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (34)
- Former: Deborah Lugo (2020–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Michael Rome (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Craig Massey (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Alim Adatia (2022) — Director
- Former: Andrew Davis (2022) — Director
- Former: Beryl Basham (2022) — Director
- Former: Brenda Peters-Chase (2022) — President
- Former: CC Conner (2022) — Director
- Former: Darryl Gaines (2022) — Director
- Former: Debbie McNulty (2022) — Director
- Former: Fabene Welch (2022) — Director
- Former: Garfield Johnson (2022) — Director
- Former: Jackie Maldonado (2022) — Director
- Former: Jackie Phillips (2022) — Director
- Former: Jerry Barnett (2022) — Director
- Former: Joe Brettell (2022) — Director
- Former: John M Abodeely (2022) — CEO
- Former: Juan Alanis (2022) — Director
- Former: June Deadrick (2022) — Director
- Former: Lester Marks (2022) — Director
- Former: Louise Upshaw-McClenny (2022) — Director
- Former: Marc Nguyen (2022) — Director
- Former: Michele Leal Farah (2022) — Director
- Former: Necole Irvin (2022) — Director
- Former: Paula Sutton (2022) — Director
- Former: Rosalinda Martinez (2022) — Director
- Former: Rosi Hernandez (2022) — Director
- Former: Sergio Selvera (2022) — Director
- Former: Shaheen Rahman (2022) — Director
- Former: Stacey P Keene (2022) — CFO
- Former: Susanne Burkeholder (2022) — Director
- Former: Todd Stein (2022) — Director
- Former: Victoria Lara (2022) — Director
- Former: Brenda Peters Chase (2020–2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $92K, to Jack McBride (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Arts Connect Houston
How much does Arts Connect Houston give each year?
Arts Connect Houston gave $380K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Arts Connect Houston's typical grant size?
Arts Connect Houston's median grant in 2025 was $9,837, and its average grant was $17,277, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arts Connect Houston that year got $15K on average.
Where does Arts Connect Houston give grants?
Arts Connect Houston gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (21 grants).
Does Arts Connect Houston give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Arts Connect Houston's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Arts program support" (22 grants).
Who are Arts Connect Houston's largest grantees?
Arts Connect Houston's largest 2025 grantees include Diversity in the ARTS & Entertainment ($118,370), Fashion Museum of Texas ($44,500) and Houston Healthy Hip Hop ($23,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Arts Connect Houston?
Arts Connect Houston reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What does Arts Connect Houston fund?
Arts Connect Houston’s mission is to unite the Greater Houston community to ensure every student has access to high-quality arts education in creative writing, dance, music, theater, and the visual arts, beginning with Houston ISD. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arts Connect Houston?
Arts & Culture Partners apply on behalf of a school in Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, or Houston ISD. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Arts Connect Houston's EIN?
Arts Connect Houston's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-1623399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 23, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arts Connect Houston's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arts Connect Houston funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arts-connect-houston-morg_cadae15ee94347d89912ce2e5fd9c5b1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_851623399_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arts Connect Houston funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arts-connect-houston-morg_cadae15ee94347d89912ce2e5fd9c5b1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Arts Connect Houston's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Arts Connect Houston down — hundreds of funders to go?