We’re pleased to feature this guest blog from the Rural Texas Arts & Culture Network, an organization working to strengthen arts, culture, and preservation efforts in rural communities across Texas.

Clockwise from top right: Texas Arts & Music Festival courtesy of Chis Graham Photography (Brenham), a school fieldtrip at Old Jail Arts Center (Albany), Global Festival and Frozen Jr. Musical from The Wallace Theater (Levelland).

In 2021, the Still Water Foundation asked MINDPOP a simple question: What do you know about the arts and cultural organizations serving rural Texas communities? 

The research MINDPOP conducted revealed a clear picture. Students in rural communities had 70% less access to arts learning than their peers in suburban communities – yet rural students actively engaged in the arts showed higher standardized test scores and were more likely to attend higher education.

Limited arts access in schools likely reflects a broader lack of arts opportunities across rural communities as a whole. And just as the arts benefit students, a robust arts ecosystem in rural communities stands to benefit everyone.

To better understand the rural arts and culture landscape, MINDPOP gathered IRS tax returns from every nonprofit arts and culture organization in the state. Focusing on rural organizations, the research examined factors like: location, size, revenue and expenses, age, and programming. That data was paired with a series of in-depth conversations with rural arts and cultural leaders. Those conversations revealed three things these leaders want most:

THF is pleased to announce its summer 2026 grant recipients, supporting ten projects that preserve Texas history through education, technology, archaeology, historic structures, and community engagement. From protecting a WWII naval landmark in Galveston and documenting ancient rock art in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands to preserving African American history, restoring historic buildings, and inspiring the next generation of preservationists, these projects demonstrate the remarkable breadth of preservation work happening across our state.

THF's Summer 2026 grantees are:

Together, these projects reflect THF's commitment to supporting preservation efforts of all kinds and helping communities across Texas protect, understand, and share the places and stories that make our state unique.

Since 1954, the Texas Historical Foundation has funded historic preservation and education projects throughout the state, empowering communities to save their own pieces of the Lonestar past. For information on THF grants, please visit our website. 

The Taylor Museum of Waco received funding for conservation updates to its collections, part of a long-term museum master plan. Work included the conservation of three documents central to the Museum's collection: the Indian Treaty Memorandum, the 1851 Jacob De Cordova/Creuzbaur Map of Texas, and 1869 City of Waco map.

We’re excited to introduce our new Texas Historical Foundation membership levels!

We’ve refreshed our membership options to make it easier for more Texans to support our work preserving, celebrating, and sharing the places, stories, and traditions that make Texas history worth protecting.

Whether you’re a longtime THF member, a history-loving individual or family, a museum or nonprofit, or a business that believes Texas history matters, we’ve created new ways to be part of the Foundation.

Our new business membership levels also offer opportunities for added visibility, including recognition on the THF website and in our monthly newsletter.

Already a THF member?

You’ll notice these changes the next time you log in to renew your membership. There’s nothing you need to do right now. When your current membership comes up for renewal, you’ll simply select from the new membership levels.

We’re grateful for your continued support and for being part of the THF community. Together, we’re helping to preserve and share the history of Texas for generations to come.