Austin Emerging Arts Leaders

06/03/2026

Back by popular demand! 🎉

One of our most requested workshops from last year is returning: How to Write About Yourself: Tips to Write About Yourself and Your Art.

Whether you're updating your website, applying for grants, preparing for exhibitions, or just struggling to put your creative practice into words, this hands-on workshop will help you craft a stronger artist bio and statement.

Led by EAL board member and Almost Real Things founder Natalie Earhart, attendees will participate in guided writing exercises, receive feedback, and leave with a solid start on materials they can use right away.

📅 June 16, 2026
⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Dougherty Arts Center
🎟️ Free and open to the public

Registration encouraged. Link in bio.

Thank you to the Dougherty Arts Center for hosting us!

This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant from the City of Austin Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment Department.

05/01/2026

We’re excited to announce our team of experts ✶

Real Talk: The Business of Being an Artist
Speaker Roundtables
May 14

We’re bringing together a group of local experts for small group conversations around the realities of building a creative practice.

You’ll rotate between tables and talk directly with experts about contracts, funding, marketing, financials, and building a path that works for you. Ask your questions and get the answers no one teaches you about being an artist.

Marguerite Zamora | Legal + Contracts
Associate attorney working with creatives, helping break down IP, contracts, and how to protect your work.

Bryana Iglesias | Public Art + Funding
Public art project manager sharing how funding, contracts, and city opportunities actually work in practice.

Zuzu | Building Your Art Business + Earning from Your Work
Muralist and creative entrepreneur sharing how to build a sustainable path aligned with your vision and values.

Zach Zulch | Marketing Your Work
Co founder of Almost Real Things, focused on building visibility, audience, and creative ecosystems.

Vincent Tomasino | Financials + Taxes
Enrolled Agent helping artists navigate taxes and build stronger financial foundations.

More speaker spotlights coming this week.

Free to attend
RSVP in bio

Building a creative practice is one thing. Building a sustainable career is another.

03/12/2026

✨ Highlighting an artist from the 2026 EAL Mentorship Program!

Kalle Duncan is an Austin-based curator, muralist, and multidisciplinary artist originally from San Antonio. A recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, her work explores themes of grief, spirituality, and matriarchy through both studio practice and large-scale murals.

Kalle has exhibited across Texas and painted multiple murals throughout Austin as both an independent artist and member of Chroma Collective.

We’re excited to support Kalle’s continued creative work through this year’s mentorship program!

03/11/2026

✨ Introducing one of our 2026 EAL Mentorship Program artists!

Demian Chavez Galvan is a theatremaker whose work uplifts the cultures, history, and voices of the U.S.–Mexico border.

They are the Artistic Director of Teatro Sin Fronteras, a multilingual theatre company based in the Borderlands.
As a playwright, director, dramaturg, and educator, Demian creates work that bridges languages and communities through storytelling and performance.

We’re thrilled to welcome Demian to the 2026 cohort and look forward to supporting their work in Austin’s creative community!

03/10/2026

Snapshot Social is back!

We are hosting Snapshot Social again on April 2 from 6–8:30 PM at Almost Real Things Gallery at Canopy.

An evening for artists, administrators, and creatives to connect, expand their network, and refresh their professional toolkit.

✨ Artist Speed-Friending (6:30–8:30 PM)
📸 Free professional headshots to update your portfolio, website, or LinkedIn
🎨 A room full of Austin’s creative community

Headshots are limited to 30 spots and must be selected when you RSVP. RSVPing alone does not guarantee a headshot.

🔗 RSVP through the link in our bio to reserve your headshot spot

📍 Almost Real Things Gallery at Canopy
916 Springdale Rd Bldg 2
🗓 April 2
⏰ 6:00–8:30 PM

01/24/2026

A warm welcome to Lindsay, joining the Austin EAL Board!

Lindsay brings two decades of experience as an artist and arts administrator dedicated to visual art production, dissemination, and education. She is a Project Manager for the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places Program, where she commissions artists across all media to create site-specific public art that reflects the history and values of Austin’s communities.

Having managed more than 20 public art projects with budgets totaling over $6 million, Lindsay’s work bridges artists, institutions, and communities nationwide. Her deep expertise and thoughtful approach to public art make her an invaluable addition to the Austin EAL Board.

Head to the link in bio to explore the website and subscribe to our newsletter for future happy hours, workshops, and opportunities to meet the team.

01/23/2026

Say hello to Katie Moore, joining the Austin EAL Board!

Katie brings a rare blend of artistic vision and operational expertise to her work. An award-winning theatre director, live event producer, and arts administrator, her career is rooted in creative leadership and community-centered storytelling. She has directed original and devised productions and led improvisational theatre ensembles, including her work with Hideout Theatre, while also practicing applied improvisation in educational and organizational settings.

Currently serving as Administrative and Finance Coordinator at Leadership Austin, Katie is deeply committed to the arts as a catalyst for connection, learning, and civic engagement. We’re thrilled to welcome her perspective and care to the Austin EAL Board.

Learn more via the link in bio and subscribe to our newsletter to catch an upcoming happy hour or workshop and meet the team in person.

01/22/2026

Welcome Clayton England to the Austin EAL!

Clayton brings more than a decade of experience working at the intersection of live music, venues, and community-focused initiatives in Austin. An operations leader and cultural advocate, he currently serves as District 2 Music Commissioner for the City of Austin, collaborating with artists, venues, nonprofits, and city staff to support policies that strengthen Austin’s music ecosystem.

He approaches live music as an art form deserving of the same care, advocacy, and infrastructure as any other creative discipline. With a background spanning venue management, event production, sponsorship development, and sustainable systems-building, Clayton’s leadership and deep commitment to keeping Austin loud make him a powerful addition to the Austin EAL Board.

Learn more through the link in bio and subscribe to our newsletter to find our next happy hour or workshop, come meet the team and make connections!

01/12/2026

One week left to apply for the 2026 Austin EAL Mentorship Program!

Looking back at our 2025 cohort, their 1:1 mentorship experience, their growth, and their showcase projects as a preview of what this program can unlock.

If you want mentorship, community, and real momentum behind your creative career, apply now via the link in bio 🔗

Deadline: Monday, January 19 at 11:59 PM CT.

12/10/2025

Austin Emerging Arts Leaders Mentorship Program 2026
Applications are officially open.

If you're an emerging artist or arts administrator looking for mentorship, community, and support for your creative goals, this program is for you!

Who can apply
• Artists or arts administrators
• 21+
• Within the first seven years of your arts career
• Based in Austin or actively involved in the Austin arts community
This application is open to all, and we strongly encourage applicants from historically underrepresented communities.

What you'll get
• Seven month mentorship
• At least seven mentor meetings
• Goal setting and project or practice focus
• Up to a $1,500 stipend
• Community gatherings and a final showcase

Need support
Dec 16 Info Session on Google Meet
Jan 13 Drop In Office Hours
RSVP for the info session in our bio.

Deadline to apply: January 19

Share this post with someone who’d be perfect for the program, or apply yourself — link in bio!