South Main Arts Festival
The South Main Arts Festival is a juried and curated artistic event in celebration of the Month of the Arts in Georgetown, TX.
More information coming soon!
10a.m.-6:30p.m. | October 19, 2024 | Near Grace Heritage Center | 817 S Main St
The call for artist entries for booth exhibitors for the 3rd annual South Main Arts Festival on October 19, 2024 is NOW OPEN! See all guidelines and submit your application here! https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=12341
Celebrate Georgetown’s third annual South Main Arts Festival dedicated to the fine arts and located in the new South Main Arts District – a project that received Cultural District grant funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts. Shop the juried artist booths for a variety of artistic media while viewing public art projects by passionate artists and volunteers from the community! Enjoy food trucks, live music, dancers, and theatrical performances throughout the day, as well as kids arts activities. Please visit this festival website regularly for the latest program and festival schedule updates!
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Details for the 2023 festival can be found below. Be prepared to experience expanded programming during the 2024 festival.
Celebrate Georgetown’s 2nd Annual South Main Arts Festival dedicated to the fine arts and located in the new South Main Arts District – a project that received Cultural District grant funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts. Shop the juried artist booths for a variety of artistic media while participating in a community mural painting project! Enjoy food trucks, live music and ribbon dancers throughout the day, kids arts activities and pottery making by Cordovan Art School…and an outdoor theatrical performance, too. Visit the Georgetown Art Center to view the current Art Hop exhibit and participate in a spooky Haunted Art House pop-up visual art exhibit at Grace Chapel. The evening’s live music headliner is Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster Artist, Guy Forsyth, so be sure to join us for his performance at 5pm!
The City of Georgetown’s Water Conservation Team is also looking to bring awareness to sustainable watering resources with the vibrant addition of art to rain barrels. The first second annual Painted Rain Barrel Project will coincide with the Georgetown Arts and Culture Program’s Autumn Art Stroll, South Main Arts Festival, and the Water Conservation Team’s “Imagine a Day Without Water” events in October 2023.
The barrels will be displayed around City facilities and local businesses downtown, before and during the South Main Arts Festival. All painted barrels will be available to purchase via a silent auction that will run through the course of the Autumn Art Stroll and South Main Arts Festival.
Featured food vendors include Yoyo Bubble Teas, Gypsy Ice, and Jimmy Vega’s Smokehouse! Be sure to also check out the surrounding Arts District restaurants for beverages and other offerings: Sweet Lemon Kitchen, Kork Wine Bar, Lamppost Coffe, Thundercloud Subs, and District Six.
LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE
Community mural painting and ribbon dancers performing throughout the day of the festival!
Art Center Splash Pad Musicians
10 a.m. – Chirag Gokani
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Sister Golden Hair Trio
1 – 3 p.m. – Alexia Dalton Trio
3 p.m. – GISD student musicians
4 p.m. – GISD Student musicians
SOMA Park Musicians
10 a.m. – Eric Hanke
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Mega’Tune
1:15 p.m. – SU Theatre student preview of the Spitfire Grill musical at Southwestern
2 – 4 p.m. – Lost & Nameless
5-6:30 p.m. – LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE BY HEADLINER AND TCA TOURING ROSTER ARTIST GUY FORSYTH BAND!
Pictured: Headlining musician Guy Forsyth
ARTIST VENDOR DIRECTORY…
Georgetown Art Strolls
The Arts and Culture Program hosts two semi-annual Art Strolls in the fall and the spring where participants can engage in interactive arts experiences at arts and culture facilities and arts based businesses across the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District that include artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping opportunities.
Start your Stroll at any of the (3) check-in locations to pick up your Stroll badge. Then continue your Stroll across the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District to visit and shop at the participating arts and culture venues and view Georgetown’s popular collection of public art murals and sculptures. Enjoy complementary food and beverages exclusively for Art Stroll patrons with an Art Stroll badge, as well as discounted Art Stroll cocktails by Sweet Lemon and cold brew shots by Little Lemon at the Library!
Printed maps will be available at Art Stroll badge check-in locations and each venue. Or click here for the online map: Art Stroll Map
Participating Venues & Programming – Stroll badge pick up at designated locations on the map
African American Shotgun House Museum STROLL BADGE LOCATION – (801 West St) – Tour the Shotgun House Museum and view the featured exhibit, The Negro School of Fine Arts. Enjoy live music by Mega’Tune at the Preserving History mural by Norma Clark and Devon Clarkson, as well as ice cream from Scoops.
Georgetown Public Library & Little Lemon at the Library – (402 W 8th St) Enjoy live music in the library lobby by Sister Golden Hair, as well as live music by Swing Shift and sweet treats by Little Lemon in the Poppy Plaza for patrons with an Art Stroll badge. View current exhibits: “A passion for Glass” by Cindy Savary in the Little Lemon Cafe Gallery and “Kindred Threads: Emergence” in the gallery upstairs. And be sure to add your leaves to the Poet Tree in the Library Lobby!
Williamson County Art Guild Gallery (708 S Rock St) – View the exhibit in the gallery while enjoying live music and refreshments, along with art demonstrations and a mini art vendor market outside the gallery.
Georgetown Palace Theatre’s “Palace Playhouse” Location – STROLL BADGE LOCATION (216 W 8th St) – They’ve got it all! Art, music, and drinks. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy an art exhibit featuring artists from the Williamson County Art Guild. There will also have a short performance featuring singers from Disaster! The Musical. You don’t want to miss the talent.
Williamson Museum – (716 S Austin Ave) – View the art exhibit, “Look Up”, inspired by the total solar eclipse happening in April, and vote for your favorite piece in the exhibit. Art Stroll Participants can also create some Mini Minute Art on canvas during the stop at the Museum!
Prima Dora – (114 W 8th St) – Visit this premier Georgetown art gallery to view and purchase artwork from a treasure trove of local and Central Texas artists showcased in the gallery while viewing a live artist demonstration.
Georgetown Art Center – (816 S Main St) – Enjoy live music in the splash pad outside the Art Center while viewing the April exhibit, Persimmon Tree. Kids can create their very own mini-canvas masterpiece in the art studio during the Art Stoll.
Grace Heritage Center STROLL BADGE LOCATION- (817 S Main St) – Visit Grace Chapel and engage in a presentation at 6pm by Preservation Georgetown about how Georgetown has grown – from George Washington Glasscock to the impact of changes in the ETJ laws. There will also be a choral performance during the evening.
South Main Arts District Green & Sweet Lemon Kitchen – (Behind Grace Chapel) – While shopping the artist booths in Grace Plaza, step over to the South Main Arts District Green to enjoy small bites and $4 Art Stroll cocktails by Sweet Lemon Kitchen featured exclusively for Art Stroll patrons. Also enjoy live music, a photo booth, face painting, and mocktail offerings. Swing Shift will finish out the evening with a performance in the SOMA District!
Artist Booths in Grace Plaza
Artists participating as booth exhibitors in Grace Plaza include acrylic paintings by Aaron Damon Porter; jewelry by Kathleen Lundy; acrylics, encaustics by Virginia Headley Maserang, acrylic paintings by Lynn Kessel; and photography by Markus Lindsey.
Georgetown Arts and Culture Board awards grants for 2023 Round II
Georgetown Arts and Culture Board awards grants for 2023 Round II
The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board approved $14,944 in grants in July to local arts and culture organizations to help with funding local arts and culture programming that includes orchestra performances, theatre performances, and a cultural festival in Georgetown.
The funding is for events in Georgetown taking place between Oct. 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
Grant recipients include:
| Project or event name | Grant amount |
| Central Texas Philharmonic, Inc for the Field of Honor – Patriotic Pops Concert | $5,000 |
| GTX Connect for Fiesta Georgetown 2023 | $3,750 |
| The Georgetown Palace Theatre, Inc for the 2023-24 Season Performances for All Ages | $3,000 |
| Williamson County Symphony Orchestra for 2 Free Orchestra Concerts in Georgetown |
$2,000 |
| Central Texas Musical Arts for the Bluebonnet Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Concert in Georgetown |
$1,194 |
The next grant cycle will accept proposals Dec. 1-31, 2023, for events and programs occurring April 1-Sept. 30, 2024.
The Georgetown Arts and Culture grants help the Arts and Culture Board fulfill bylaw requirements, which include recognizing and encouraging groups and organizations that enrich Georgetown life by bringing cultural and artistic values and artifacts to the City. Members of the Arts and Culture Board believe a vibrant arts community and cultural offerings are good for the quality of life for residents, will attract visitors, and will assist Georgetown in becoming a nationally recognized arts destination by 2030. The grant program helps develop and strengthen our local arts community by contributing funding to arts and culture programming that enhances our local community.
Call for 2024-2025 Annual Georgetown Sculpture Tour Entries
Starting June 1 2024, the City of Georgetown’s Arts and Culture Board will invite entries for the 2024-25 Annual Georgetown Sculpture Tour – a juried, year-long outdoor exhibition in Georgetown’s historic Downtown Cultural District. All sculptures selected for the 2024-2025 Sculpture Tour will receive a cash prize awarded by the City of Georgetown Arts & Culture Board, which includes (1) $2,000 First Prize, (1) $1,500 Second Prize, and up to (15) $1000 Honorable Mention awards. Judging will occur in October 2022, and checks will be mailed in November 2024. Prizes will be announced in October during an opening reception for the Georgetown Sculpture Tour! Please click here to view the full submission guidelines, project schedule, and other info: Call for Artist Entries_Georgetown Sculpture Tour Entries 2024-2025
The annual Georgetown Sculpture Tour is one of the first community public art projects of the Georgetown Arts and Culture Program. The Sculpture Tour began in 2009 by Georgetown sculptor Dar Richardson of the Texas Society of Sculptors working with Georgetown Public Library Director Eric Lashley, and it was conceived as an invitational exhibit. Many thanks are due to Dar for his years of invaluable service on the City Arts & Culture Board and with the Sculpture Tour. After years of leading the Sculpture Tour, Dar asked the City to take the Sculpture Tour selection process over. Beginning with the 2017 Sculpture Tour, City of Georgetown Arts & Culture Board members now review entries and make recommendations to City staff for each year’s selections.
Sculpture Tour applications will be accepted June 1 – August 1, 2024 for the 2024-2025 tour. Each sculptor may submit up to three sculptures for consideration. Please provide two or three photographs of each piece, showing different angles. The artist submission form will go live on June 1, 2024 and close at the end of the day on August 1, 2024.
Sculpture Tour Entry Form
From the applications submitted by the deadline, the City of Georgetown Arts & Culture Board will select up to (15) 2024-25 Sculpture Tour pieces. All applicants will be notified of the board’s decisions in September.
“Babywearing Family” by Elizabeth Bonura; 1st place award winner in 2023-2024 Georgetown Sculpture Tour
Sculptures will be installed by appointment the first week in October and remain on display until October 2025. Delivery is the artist’s responsibility; sculptures will be installed by City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation staff working with the artist.
All sculptures selected for the 2024-2025 Sculpture Tour will receive a cash prize awarded by the City of Georgetown Arts & Culture Board. Judging will occur in October 2024, and checks will be mailed in November 2024. The Arts and Culture Program will receive a 25 percent commission on any sculpture sold during the exhibit period.
“Bending Sound” by Steve Southerland; 2nd place award winner in 2023-2024 City Sculpture Tour
Awards will include:
$2,000 First Prize (one will be awarded)
$1,500 Second Prize (one will be awarded)
$1,000 Honorable Mention (up to 13 will be awarded)
The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board maintains the Texas Commission on the Arts Cultural District designation and implements the Georgetown Arts and Culture Program. The Georgetown Arts and Culture Program enhances quality of life for residents and visitors of Georgetown by promoting community engagement, cultural participation, and cultural tourism through public art programming and arts and culture collaborations. The annual Georgetown Sculpture Tour program helps the Board fulfill the vision of becoming a nationally recognized arts destination by 2030.
If you have any questions about the application or the selection process, please call Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator, at 512-930-8471 or email amanda.still@georgetown.org.
“Still Making History” by Yasaman Mehrsa
“Flow” by Scott Shubin
Call for Artist Booth Exhibitors for 2023 South Main Arts Festival
Announcing the 2023 Georgetown Spring Art Stroll
Mark your calendars for the Georgetown Spring Art Stroll in downtown from 4-8 p.m. April 20. The Art Stroll is an opportunity for patrons to engage in interactive arts experiences including artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping at Grace Plaza and at arts and culture facilities and arts-based businesses throughout the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District. The evening will include an artist talk by the 175th anniversary mural artist and a dedication of the mural, as well as an artist reception for the new sculpture in the South Main Arts District.
For scheduled programming and detailed information, click here!
Start your Stroll at any of the (3) check-in locations to pick up your Stroll badge. Then continue your Stroll across the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District to visit and shop at the participating arts and culture venues and view Georgetown’s popular collection of public art murals and sculptures. Enjoy complementary food and beverages exclusively for Art Stroll patrons with an Art Stroll badge, as well as discounted Art Stroll cocktails by Sweet Lemon Kitchen and Little Lemon at the Library!
Be sure to pick up your Art Stroll badge at designated check-in locations to participate. Click here for the online map: Spring Art Stroll Map 2023
Georgetown Arts and Culture Board Awards Grants for 2023 Round I
The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board approved $7,000 in grants in January to local arts and culture organizations to help with funding local arts and culture programming that includes music performance and history exhibitions in Georgetown.
The funding is for events in Georgetown taking place between April 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2023.
Grant recipients include:
| Project or event name | Grant amount |
| Texas Bach Festival for the 2023 Texas Bach Festival | $5,000 |
| The Williamson Museum for the Oral History Project for 175 Years of Williamson County: Still Making History | $2,000 |
The next grant cycle will accept proposals June 1-30, 2023, for events and programs occurring Oct. 1, 2023-March 31, 2024.
The Georgetown Arts and Culture grants help the Arts and Culture Board fulfill bylaw requirements, which include recognizing and encouraging groups and organizations that enrich Georgetown life by bringing cultural and artistic values and artifacts to the City. Members of the Arts and Culture Board believe a vibrant arts community and cultural offerings are good for the quality of life for residents, will attract visitors, and will assist Georgetown in becoming a nationally recognized arts destination by 2030. The grant program helps develop and strengthen our local arts community by contributing funding to arts and culture programming that enhances our local community.
