Texas Commission on the Arts

Marketing kit and materials

The State of the Arts license plate is a specialty license plate designed to look like the Texas state flag. Your purchase of this license plate helps the Texas Commission on the Arts promote and support the arts and culture of Texas. It will also look great on your car or truck.

Proceeds from the State of the Arts license plate fund arts and cultural programming throughout Texas including arts education, performing art, visual art, literary art, film and multi media, and folk art.

The State of the Arts license plate costs $30 more than your normal registration fee, or $70 for a personalized version. For more information, read our license plate FAQ (frequently asked questions) or call the Texas Commission the Arts at 1-800-252-9415.

To order your work of art, use the PDF application form. Just print the form, fill it out and mail it with the appropriate fee to the Texas Department of Transportation. Order yours today!

About the Texas Commission on the Arts

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) was organized in 1965 by the Texas Legislature to develop a receptive climate for the arts in Texas. TCA provides funding and other supportive measures, such as arts education and cultural tourism programs, for a variety of arts-related activities, including visual and literary arts, film and multi-media, music, dance, theater and folk art.

TCA does not fund art for art's sake. We fund art for Texas communities. Our grants go towards projects and programs that educate our children, attract tourists, boost our economy and enhance community life. We fund programs that help keep at-risk youth out of prisons. We fund programs that allow people with disabilities to participate equally with other members of their community. We fund professional development opportunities for Texas educators. We fund high-quality content on the Internet for our children. TCA's business is to provide the infrastructure necessary for the arts and cultural industries to thrive in Texas.

Become a Partner for the Plate

With help from our constituents and businesses participating in Partners for the Plate, the Texas Commission on the Arts has generated nearly $4 million from sales of State of the Arts license plates over the last ten years. This revenue is used to fund grants to Texas arts organizations and other non-profit organizations using the arts for the betterment of their communities.  In depressed economic times, this revenue proved vital in helping TCA continue to support the arts in Texas.

Today, revenue from the State of the Arts license plate is more important than ever before. Recent budget reductions mean the Texas Commission on the Arts is dependent upon the Partners for the Plate program to help fund arts programming throughout the state. Success for the plate equates to success for art organizations. The dollars generated through the Partners for the Plate program directly benefit arts organizations of all types in every area of the state.

Becoming a Partner for the Plate is a simple and cost-free process. TCA provides promotional materials at no cost including:

  • Full color State of the Arts license plate application forms - these may be displayed at your business or inserted into your programs, direct mailings, etc.
  • Full color Point-of-Purchase stands - these allow you to display application forms on your desk or counter top
  • State of the Arts license plate print advertising - these ads may be placed in your publications, newsletters, programs, etc.
  • All of the materials are available to Partners for the Plate free of charge. For more information on becoming a Partner for the Plate please contact TCA at 512-463-5535 or via e-mail at front.desk@arts.state.tx.us.