BY SHAHERYAR KHAN
Funding the arts in 2025 The city collects 15% of hotel occupancy taxes, with 7.5% allocated to arts and 7.5% to heritage.
The overview
Who it’s for
Beyond its financial impact, HOT funds enhance organizations’ ability to serve as a hub for visual arts, providing exhibits and classroom space for the community, Hammond said. The Two Rivers Plein Air competition, a weeklong event where artists paint outdoor scenes of New Braunfels, followed by an exhibit and sale of their work, exemplifies the economic and cultural benefits of HOT-funded initiatives by driving tourism while celebrating the city’s vibrant arts scene, Hammond said. Some of the funds allocated to the NBAL help support local artists, including Johnny Duncan, who has collaborated with the NBAL to spotlight contemporary art. “I approached the New Braunfels Art League two years ago and asked if I could host a 52 Texas Artists Contemporary Art Exhibition, and I showcased work that had never been shown in the gallery,” Duncan said.
In 2025, $368,906 was distributed to arts organizations and $368,906 to heritage groups, Schwarz said. Recipients include local theaters like the Brauntex Theatre, arts councils such as the Greater New Braunfels Arts Council, and muse- ums like the Sophienburg Museum and Archives, Schwarz said. Some projects, such as the historic facade repairs undertaken by the NBAL, qualify for fund- ing under both the arts and heritage categories. Other notable public art projects include murals in downtown New Braunfels that highlight the city’s German heritage and sculptures in commu- nity parks celebrating local culture and natural beauty, Schwarz said. One example in the city is the Historic Outdoor Art Museum’s mural of Ferdinand Lindheimer behind Naegelin’s Bakery.
Arts organization funding granted: $368,906
Total $737,812
Heritage organization funding granted: $368,906
Some of the New Braunfels organizations that received funding:
Heritage Heritage Society of New Braunfels Sophienburg Museum and Archives New Braunfels Conservation Society New Braunfels Arts League*
Arts Brauntex Theatre Christian Youth Theater Greater New Braunfels Arts Council New Braunfels Arts League*
*THE NEW BRAUNFELS ART LEAGUE RECEIVED ARTS AND HERITAGE FUNDING FOR HISTORIC FACADE RENOVATIONS AND ARTS INITIATIVES.
Hotel occupancy tax funds 2022-2025
Arts
Heritage
What’s next
$1M
expand support for arts and cultural initiatives. The plan ties directly to the city’s allocation of HOT funds, showcasing a cohesive strategy to bolster New Braunfels’ vibrant cultural landscape for both residents and visitors. The master plan, though in its early stages, underscores the city’s long-term commitment to strengthening its arts and heritage sectors, Schwarz said.
The city of New Braunfels issued a request for proposals for its Arts and Culture Master Plan on Jan. 16. The plan looks to enhance New Braunfels’ cultural identity and align with the city’s broader investment in the arts, Schwarz said. Funded through the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, the plan seeks to engage local stakeholders and identify opportunities to
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Learn more about school funding issues and how they affect your local schools. THE 89 TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS HERE
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
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