Cultural Organizations Program (COP)

The CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM is the support program through which the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture contracts for cultural services with established Dallas-based non-profit arts and culture organizations for a variety of cultural programs that include concerts, plays, exhibitions, performances, workshops and other cultural programming for the benefit of Dallas residents and visitors. These cultural service contracts are awarded annually using a review panel approach to evaluate applications. Program eligibility and review criteria are published annually.

The COP application for the 2026-27 fiscal year, funding organizations from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, is currently OPEN for applications. Applications will close on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

WHAT’S NEW?

Based on applicant feedback in engagement sessions in December 2025, we are excited to share the following changes to the FY 2026 – 27 application, passed unanimously by the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission and Dallas City Council:

Transition to a three-year funding cycle: FY 2026-27 will be the second year of a three-year COP funding cycle.
- Returning applicants (organizations funded through COP in the FY 2025-26 year), may complete a significantly shorter “Year 2” application. Additionally, returning applicants do not need to turn in a video or participate in a panel Q&A session.
- New applicants are still welcome to apply to enter the program. However, all new applicants (organizations not funded through COP in the 2025-26 year) must complete a “Full Application,” which includes questions about the organization’s history and other details. Additionally, each new applicant must record a video and attend a mandatory Q&A session with their review panel.
New Access and Impact Survey: Both Year 2 applications and Full Applications include a short, 10-question survey about audience access and impact, built into the application.
Additional Materials Considered in Administrative Section: To receive full points, both Year 2 and Full Applications request a strategic plan, employee handbook, and board handbook.

Please reach out to OACFundingPrograms@dallas.gov with any questions. We hope that these changes help make the COP application process as streamlined as possible!

WHAT’S THE SAME?

Applicant organizations must have an annual operating budget of greater than $100,000 in revenues from the most recent fiscal year.
Applicants must be Dallas based, with at least half of the year’s programming located within the Dallas city limits. (To review Dallas city limits, please see: Dallas City Info).
Applicants must have at least one employee.
Applicants must have received 501c3 designation at least three years prior to the application deadline and have at least three years of operational history.
- For this year, the latest date that organizations could receive 501c3 designation is April 10, 2023.
Applicants must submit complete applications by the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026 to be considered. This includes all videos, financial documents, and required forms.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Online Application Period: March 3 – April 10, 2026
Latest day for new applicant to email OAC of intent to apply: March 24, 2026 (organizations that were not funded in the FY 2025-26 year only)
Virtual Panel Review Period: April 13 – May 13, 2026
Web-meeting Panel Question and Answer Session – NEW APPLICANTS ONLY: May 14, 2026
COP Application Review to Arts and Culture Advisory Commission: June – September 2026
COP Funding Recommendations approved by City Council; initiation of COP Contracts: November 2026
COP Orientations: November 2026

HOW TO APPLY

APPLY HERE: FY 2026-27 COP

Download – FY 2026-27 COP Guidelines – All Applicants Combined
Download – FY-2027-COP-Projection-Matrix_Fillable
Download – COP Information Session Slides 2026-27

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Session 1: Monday, March 9 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
VIRTUAL | Join Teams Meeting Here

Session 2: Wednesday, March 11 | 4:00 PM – 5:00PM
VIRTUAL | Join Teams Meeting Here

Session 3: Tuesday, March 17 | 12:00 PM – 1:00PM
VIRTUAL | Join Teams Meeting Here

Session 4: Wednesday, March 25 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM* (Note: This will be an in-person application workshop, rather than a traditional information session. There will be an abbreviated presentation for the first thirty minutes, but the additional 90 minutes will be time for personal work on the application, brainstorming with others, and opportunity to ask staff questions in person — we will even read sections and provide on the spot feedback. Bring your laptop!)
In-Person | J. Erik Jonsson Central Library | 1515 Young St, Dallas, TX 75201 | Stone Room, 7th floor

Session 5: Monday, March 30 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
VIRTUAL | Join on Zoom Here

VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS

Friday, March 27 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Join on Teams Here

Wednesday, April 1 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Join on Teams Here

Monday, April 6 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Join on Teams Here

Wednesday, April 8 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Join on Teams Here

FY 2025 – 26

FY 2025-26 COP Web Portal