Art incubator
25 exceptional Houston BIPOC artists share $500,000 leadership grant
Twenty-five Houston-area artists each received $20,000 grants from the BIPOC Arts Network & Fund (BANF) at the organization’s 2025 BANF Artist Awards. They will be part of an intensive, 18-month cohort that focuses on leadership and service, helping them not only develop their art but also give back to their communities.
The awards also spotlight Houston as a hub for cultural innovation and equity.
“These awards are more than a recognition — they are an investment in the future of Houston’s cultural landscape,” said Sixto Wagan, executive director of BANF. “The 2025 Artist Awards celebrate the exceptional talent and dedication of BIPOC artists who prioritize community thriving over individual accolades. Through their artistic excellence, community leadership, and commitment to learning and sharing, they embody the spirit of a thriving and connected arts ecosystem. This initiative is about fostering creativity that builds from a shared heritage and catalyzes a shared abundant future.”
The recipients are Sneha Bhavsar, Byron Canady, Marissa Castillo, Claudia Cepeda, Luana Meireles Da Silva, Rachel H. Dickson, Theresa R. Escobedo, Jorge Garza, Julia Barbosa Landois, Sonny Mehta, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, Ibraim Nascimento, Mo Nikole, Will North, Phillip Pyle, II, Reyes Ramirez, Ruby Rivera, Jamie Rivers, ShaWanna Renee Rivon, Sierra Sankofa, Mikaela Selley, Sofia Silueta, Anthony J. Suber,Stalina Emmanuelle Villarreal, and Yungchris.
They work across a variety of media including poetry and spoken word, theater, and visual arts. BANF hopes the grant monies will allow these creators the funding freedom to try new things, expand their range of works, and amplify the voices of BIPOC communities.
The 18-month cohort provides opportunities for mentoring and networking, with the hope that these artists will go on to mentor and inspire others. It also fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration among diverse artists, with the goal of creating works that reflect the depth and breadth of Houston’s cultural heritage.
The BIPOC Arts Network & Fund was established in 2021 and is multi-year initiative dedicated to building a revolutionary arts ecosystem that empowers BIPOC artists, organizations, and communities in the Greater Houston Area.