The Luminaria Working Artist Fund (WAF) is a professional development micro-grant for individual artists living and working in Bexar County. Up to $550 may be requested once per year for activities that support artistic growth.

The Working Artist Fund addresses the impact of COVID-19, the recent winter storm, and other on-going economic hardships on individual artists living and working in Bexar County. The fund will offer support toward a sustainable livelihood for area artists through generous year-round donations from individuals, foundations, government entities, corporations and partners that wish to support a vibrant arts community. 

Applications for Spring 2025 open March 3 and close March 23. Go to anyartist.org to apply.

The 2025 Working Artist Fund is supported by Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation.

Past sponsors and donors include Hopscotch, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, The Espee, City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts and Culture, The Brown Foundation, Texas Public Radio’s !Viva Telethon¡, Nelco Media, Guillermo Nicolas, Angelika Jansen, Phil & Linda Hardberger, Garrett T. Capps, and numerous individual art supporters. 

Click here to make a one-time donation.

To become a Working Artist Fund sponsor, email us at admin@luminariasa.org or call or text us at 210.721.1670.

Working Artist Fund Grantees

History of the Working Artist Fund

The Working Artist Fund has awarded $92,835 to 187 artists to date. It began as the Corona Arts Relief Program in March 2020 as a response to the significant impact COVID-19 had on San Antonio’s arts community, with many artists losing revenue and professional development opportunities because of distancing requirements and cancellations.  To keep San Antonio’s vibrant culture energized during these adverse times, Luminaria created and managed two successful calls for the Corona Arts Relief program, providing up to $600 of aid to 109 individual artists from all genres of the arts. Luminaria also generated public support for individual artists through an online telethon with community partners, targeted social media, and philanthropy requests.

The Luminaria Artist Foundation Grants Program awarded individual San Antonio artists with grants for new works in 2020 and 2021. It was supported by the City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture, Kay and Scott Armstrong in honor of Kathy Armstrong, Rick Liberto, The Lifshutz Foundation, Patricia Pratchett, Guillermo Nicolas in honor of his mother Irma Cortez Nicolas, and numerous individual donors.

In 2021, the City of San Antonio renewed their commitment to individual artists by offering grants to support a diverse portfolio of artists working across the City of San Antonio in the production of new, original, high-quality art. Visit getcreativesanantonio.com to apply.

Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for updates on our grant programs!

Luminaria is dedicated to the innovative interpretation of our city’s culture, history, and environment through creative placemaking and site-specific arts integration. We coordinate with anchor arts institutions, cultural and heritage organizations, and other community partners to give San Antonio residents and visitors access to a vibrant arts culture.

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Sacrificios at Mission County Park

In a heartfelt effort to honor the memory of the 53 migrants who tragically lost their lives on San Antonio’s south side on June 27, 2022, Bexar County Commissioner, Rebeca Clay-Flores, commissioned local arts nonprofit, Luminaria, to create a poignant mural at Mission County Park. The mural is called Sacrificios and pays tribute to the lives lost and raise awareness about the challenges migrants face.

About Sacrificios

The Luminaria Mural Team— Adrian De La Cruz, Andrea Rivas, and Mauro de la Tierra—have captured the essence of the migrants’ stories through their artistic vision. The mural features images of migrants crossing the Rio Bravo in hopes for a better future. Imagery also includes the river, monarch butterflies, and 53 stars representing the Mexican, Honduran, and Guatemalan migrants who perished in the country’s largest human smuggling incident. The mural aims to serve as a symbol of remembrance and a call to action, encouraging the community to reflect on the human cost of migration and the need for compassion and understanding.

Commissioner Clay-Flores believes public art can evoke emotions, promote empathy, and inspire positive change within communities. By commemorating the lives lost with a mural that encapsulates the migrants’ journeys and aspirations, she hopes to foster a sense of unity and compassion among residents.

“The tragic incident on June 27, 2022, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by migrants seeking a better life. Through the creation of this mural, we aim to honor their memory and shed light on the human stories behind the statistics,” stated Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores. “Art has the incredible ability to bring people together, fostering understanding and empathy. It is my hope that this mural will serve as a lasting tribute and a catalyst for positive change within our community.”

“It is our honor to have been commissioned to create this mural at the request of Commissioner Clay-Flores,” said Yadhira Lozano, executive director. “As a proud Southsider, it is a deeply personal subject matter for many of us in our community including the artists who designed the mural reflecting dignity and respect for the migrants. I am humbled to have been entrusted with this task to honor their lives through art.”

The mural is on permanent display at Mission County Park. The park is open year-round allowing residents and visitors to reflect on the migrant experience and the importance of fostering a welcoming and supportive community.

Photo credit Christian Möller

Luminaria Pop Up Art Gallery

Due to public demand to have more Luminaria events throughout the year, Luminaria launched the Luminaria Pop Up Art Gallery initiative at St. Paul Square in the summer of 2024. Over 20 local artists were featured and gallery visitors were able to purchase artwork.

May 2024: Maestros: A Showcase of Creative Men curated by Karen Evans and Bobby Bacon featuring Robert Wilkens, Jude Mac, Greg Drew, Anthony Gonzalez, Joe Luna, Vic De La Fuente, Avi Avalos, and Marcus Cerda.

June 2024: She Is / Ella Es curated by Andrea V Rivas featured Andrea V Rivas, Kat Cadena, Ashley Perez, Suzy Gonzalez, Lacey B. Mills, Manola & Maria Ramirez, Kim Bishop, Shelby Criswell, Isabel Ann Castro, Anel Flores, Sandra Gonzalez, Julya Jara, and Sara Vanderbeek

August 2024: XicaNext was organized during Chicanx Art Month featured Luminaria’s own art commissions including Ruth Leonela Buentello, Cruz Ortiz, Christian Möller, Adrian de la Cruz, Isabel Ann Castro, and Mauro de la Tierra.

The 2025 Pop Up Gallery exhibition schedule will launch in March.

Tricentennial and 2020 Placemaking

In 2020, Luminaria partnered with Centro San Antonio, the National Park Service, and Mission Heritage Partners on five mural PlaceMaking projects.

Mission San José Tricentennial Mural
Artist Sandra Gonzalez created the mural for the Roosevelt Avenue facing wall of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Visitor’s Center. The park’s mural commemorates the 300-year history of Mission San José.

Centro San Antonio Art Everywhere
The Centro San Antonio murals are part of Centro’s Art Everywhere initiative and will adorn the facades of four downtown buildings when they are all completed. San Antonio artists Suzy Gonzalez, Kat Cadena, Rudy Herrera, and Joe De La Cruz will each add their creative voices to our city’s urban core.

Creative ventures such as these are made possible in part by our partners at Centro San Antonio, the National Park Service, and Mission Heritage Partners.