African American Cultural and Heritage Facility

08/26/2026

Greeting CommUNITY!

Today, join the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility and Heavenly Beings, a local cohort of over 15 Black artists and performers to celebrate Black artistry. This event is free and open to the public for all ages. The last event was huge, and we would love to see everyone again.

Heavenly Beings is a multi-disciplinary art and performance exhibition hosted at the Historic Dedrick Hamilton House, on view from June 20, 2026, to August 29, 2026. The exhibition invites artists to evoke what their Blackness means to them through sculpture, painting, photography, film, and poetry, among other media. The closing reception will feature live performances from some of Austin's most prolific poets and DJs, refreshments, and a live Q&A with the exhibiting artists.

Drinks by

This event is FREE and open to the public

Register for attendance at the link in bio.

Dates: August 29th, 2026

Time: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: African American Cultural Heritage Facility (912 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702)

Instagram Page:

Parking: Parking is available: (shown on map below)
Along surrounding streets
In the free grass lot located to the left of the AACHF (facing the building)
In the parking garage located behind the building

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heavenly-beings-closing-reception-tickets-1997049112655?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

08/25/2026

Today and tomorrow! Join us for an impactful community event as the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility partners with the American Red Cross to offer free CPR and First Aid training! This initiative is designed to empower our community with essential life-saving skills, fostering a culture of safety and preparedness.

Dates: Tuesday, August 25th

Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Location: African American Cultural and Heritage Facility,
912 East 11th Street, 78702

This training is open to everyone in the community—whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or simply someone interested in learning how to help others, this event is for you. Participants will receive hands-on instruction and guidance from certified Red Cross trainers, covering vital techniques that can make a difference in emergencies.

What we hope our community to achieve:

Learning Critical Skills: Gaining knowledge in CPR, choking relief, and First Aid techniques.

Community Engagement: Connecting with neighbors and strengthening our community bond.

Empowerment: Equipping yourself with the confidence to act in emergencies.

Bring your family and friends and take this opportunity to learn how to save lives. Together, we can build a safer, more prepared community. Don’t miss out on this chance to make a difference!

Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment

08/03/2026

Greetings CommUNITY!

Please join us this Saturday as the AACHF teams up with Heal Alliance for "The Exhale"

The Exhale was created for the women who are always holding it all together. The ones carrying responsibilities, making decisions, solving problems, and pouring into everyone else.

For a few hours, you don’t have to perform. You don’t have to produce. You don’t have to prove anything.

Just breathe.

This is an intimate gathering curated for BIPOC women founders and leaders to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and remember that rest isn’t a reward. It’s a practice.

We’ll connect in community, create space for stillness, and make room for the kind of exhale that so many of us have been waiting to take.

If you’ve been craving a moment to simply be, this space was created with you in mind. In collaboration with , the Central Texas Health & Wellbeing Network and the African American Cultural & Heritage Facility, we are holding space for you on August 8th from 11am - 2pm.

Space is intentionally limited to keep this free experience intimate. Register at: https://luma.com/d9nzd342

08/01/2026

LIVE RIGHT NOW!!! AACHF and eMaGi's Annual Fades, Spades and Shades Festival is in effect!

The B-Side Experience: A Cultural Men’s Day Kickback & Ode to Hip-Hop.

The B-Side Experience is a free, public cultural event in Austin built for Black and Brown men and their families, using barbering, games, conversation, music, and local commerce as familiar entry points into a wider effort around mentorship, entrepreneurship, wellness, accountability, and community cohesion.

Please come and enjoy the live barber showcase, intergenerational tournament play, four structured wellness Cyphers, and a vendor marketplace while directing resources toward youth licensure pathways, domestic-violence prevention, mentorship enrollment, and neighborhood-scale economic circulation.

Visit Austin, Texas : https://www.austintexas.org/event/the-b-side-experience/396079/

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-b-side-experience-a-cultural-mens-day-kickback-ode-to-hip-hop-tickets-1988580999300

07/30/2026

See you soon!

🚨 Applications close August 3 at 5:00 PM!

Need help with your application? Join Art in Public Places staff this Thursday, July 30, at the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility for a free application workshop.

💻 Bring your laptop to start or continue your application, get your questions answered, and receive hands-on support from program staff.

This workshop is open to emerging, mid-career, and established public artists applying for opportunities available to Austin-area and Texas-based artists.

Can't attend in person? A virtual participation option is available with registration.

📍 912 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
📅 Thursday, July 30 | 6:00–8:00 PM

✅ Free and open to the public. Registration is recommended: https://bit.ly/4gVbvXH

🔗 Learn more, register, and explore all current opportunities and support options at austintexas.gov/aipp.

07/27/2026

Huge opportunity from our friends at Art In Public Places (AIPP). AACHF will be hosting a workshop on Thursday, July 30th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm!

The City of Austin's Art in Public Places program is now accepting applications for four public art opportunities totaling over $900,000!

Hosted by Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME) Art in Public Places (AIPP)program

Join AIPP staff to learn the basics of current public art open calls, and bring your laptop with you to begin or continue work on your application.

This workshop is designed for emerging, mid-career, and established public artists, for opportunities eligible to Austin-area and Texas residents.

Get hands on support in-person or virtually!

Free and open to the public. Registration is recommended.
Teams link for virtual participation is available upon registration.

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/austin-art-in-public-places-public-art-open-calls-workshop-hybrid-tickets-1994834316139?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/27/2026

Happy Monday CommUNITY!!!

The AACHF is teaming up with the House of eMaGi this Saturday August 1st, 2026, 12 PM - 7 PM for our Annual Fades, Spades and Shades Festival!

The B-Side Experience: A Cultural Men’s Day Kickback & Ode to Hip-Hop.

The B-Side Experience is a free, public cultural event in Austin built for Black and Brown men and their families, using barbering, games, conversation, music, and local commerce as familiar entry points into a wider effort around mentorship, entrepreneurship, wellness, accountability, and community cohesion. Produced by The House of eMaGi, founded in 2003 by Cleva Kah and recognized as a FY24 City of Austin Elevate Grant awardee, and fiscally sponsored by 100 Black Men of Austin, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity, the event combines a live barber showcase, intergenerational tournament play, four structured wellness Cyphers, and a vendor marketplace while directing resources toward youth licensure pathways, domestic-violence prevention, mentorship enrollment, and neighborhood-scale economic circulation.

Visit Austin, Texas : https://www.austintexas.org/event/the-b-side-experience/396079/

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-b-side-experience-a-cultural-mens-day-kickback-ode-to-hip-hop-tickets-1988580999300

07/17/2026

🎉 Announcing the FY26 ACME Funding Awardees!
ACME has announced the FY26 Cultural Funding Awardees — a landmark year for Austin’s creative community. This year, 731 artists, musicians, cultural organizations, creative businesses, live music venues, heritage partners, and cultural spaces will receive support through ACME’s four major programs. Together, these investments total more than $24 million — strengthening creativity in every corner of our city. 🎨🎶🏛️

FY26 Highlights:
🏢 Creative Space Assistance Program (CSAP): 22 awards • $1.32M
🏛️ Heritage Preservation Grant: 22 awards • $3M
🎵 Austin Live Music Fund: 399 awards • $7.14M
✨ Elevate: 288 awards • $12.84M

📈 This year’s application cycle was the largest in Austin’s history — with 1,607 applicants requesting more than $67M, reflecting the strength and need of Austin’s creative community.

👉 View the FY26 Awardees: https://www.austintexas.gov/arts-culture/funding-programs -Cycle

📷 Photo courtesy of Latinitas. Photographer: Gabriela Kane

07/11/2026

Happy Saturday CommUNITY!

Please join us today!

FREE Program available for everyone and anyone to enjoy!

🌍🐅🐘🐯African Safari Program hosted by: Elizabeth Kahura
Elizabeth Kahura, originally from Kenya, regards Africa as "Mystical, Mesmerizing, and Magical." Through her African Safari Program, she has engaged more than 50,000 individuals in the past twenty years. Elizabeth is recognized for her expertise as a storyteller, performer, and educator. She utilizes folklore, music, languages, and the arts to connect with her audiences. She regularly presents at schools, libraries, museums, Cultural Heritage facilities and festivals, exhibiting African artifacts.

Elizabeth's programs explore various cultural attributes. "A Day in Africa" examines geography and traditions; "A Jungle Walk" illustrates the coexistence between humans and wildlife; "Folktales from Africa" includes interactive narratives, poetry, and chants; "African Art" presents exhibitions of attire, jewelry, and artifacts, while "Sound of Africa" focuses on drumming, rhythm, and dance. Elizabeth also conducts workshops on storytelling, Kwanzaa, and Kiswahili. Her captivating 45-minute curriculum-based programs align with social studies, languages, and fine arts.

Her programs are adjustable for all ages. Concepts like the power to dream, character development, self-empowerment and community development come to life during the performances Elizabeth's guiding principle is " Good Choices! Good Things!"

https://www.austintexas.gov/aachf/events/elizabeth-kahuras-african-safari-programs

📅 June 13 – August 18
📍 African American Cultural & Heritage Facility
⏰ Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays | 12:00PM – 2:00PM
July 11th, 25th August 4th, 11th

07/08/2026

Greetings CommUNITY!

African American Cultural and Heritage Facility Information Guide
The African American Cultural and Heritage Facilities Information Guide serves as a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in exploring the rich history and vibrant culture of Austin’s African American community. This guide serves as a one-stop shop, offering detailed information on significant sites, historical landmarks, and cultural institutions within the city’s African American Historical and Cultural Heritage District. This guide highlights museums, community centers, historic neighborhoods, businesses, and houses.

The African American Cultural and Heritage Facility (AACHF) mission is to guide visitors in understanding the contributions of African Americans to Austin’s development and to encourage engagement with local cultural events and programs that celebrate this heritage. Through this initiative, the guide aims to preserve the legacy of African American history while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation among residents and tourists alike.

For more information, please visit our website and feel free to stop by!

https://www.austintexas.gov/aachf