LIVE MUSIC FUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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Consultation has concluded

Live Music Fund Community Engagement

LATEST UPDATES

The Economic Development Department is finalizing its process to procure a Third-Party Administrator to facilitate the Live Music Fund Event Program in fall 2022 to launch applications in early 2023.

And, the Cultural Funding Review: Arts, Heritage, Music Final Report is now available! Go to Cultural Funding Report (PDF, 1.8 MB), El camino hacia la equidad cultural (PDF, 2.2 MB).

BACKGROUND

The Music & Entertainment Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department has been working with the Music Commission to form the first program of the Live Music Fund, which is a permanent funding source for supporting Austin's music industry established by Mayor & City Council in September 2019.

Community feedback for how to launch the Live Music Fund was gathered through multiple Commission and working group meetings as part of the Cultural Funding Review: Arts, Heritage, Music. The Music Commission sent its resulting Recommendation 20201019-2bii to City Council, which states that a Preservation, Innovation, and Elevation & Collaboration fund be established to create greater equitable economic growth in the Austin music industry. This recommendation is the foundation of the resulting pilot program of the fund, the Live Music Fund Event Program.

The Live Music Fund, established by City Ordinance No. 20190919-149 on September 19, 2019, is the result of recommendations from 2017’s Visitor Task Force's Final Report. This is an ongoing fund sourced from State of Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues to support the Austin music industry and not a relief and recovery program in response to the pandemic.

Since the Live Music Fund is funded with HOT revenues, supported activities should encourage, promote, improve, and showcase Austin’s live music industry to sustainably develop infrastructure and experiences that attract tourism and develop Austin’s convention and hotel industries. Learn more about HOT funded cultural programs in Texas through the Texans for the Arts Hotel Occupancy Tax Toolkit.

City Staff coordinated community engagement efforts with the Music Commission’s Live Music Fund Working Group and Systemic Racism Working Group, which were comprised of Music Commissioners and representatives of Austin’s Music community who were nominated during the Commission’s December 2019 and July 2020 meetings respectively. City Staff and the working groups gathered and organized feedback on community priorities to form the below recommendations for the pilot program:

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact Michelle McLaren at 512-974-9053 or Relay Texas 7-1-1

LATEST UPDATES

The Economic Development Department is finalizing its process to procure a Third-Party Administrator to facilitate the Live Music Fund Event Program in fall 2022 to launch applications in early 2023.

And, the Cultural Funding Review: Arts, Heritage, Music Final Report is now available! Go to Cultural Funding Report (PDF, 1.8 MB), El camino hacia la equidad cultural (PDF, 2.2 MB).

BACKGROUND

The Music & Entertainment Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department has been working with the Music Commission to form the first program of the Live Music Fund, which is a permanent funding source for supporting Austin's music industry established by Mayor & City Council in September 2019.

Community feedback for how to launch the Live Music Fund was gathered through multiple Commission and working group meetings as part of the Cultural Funding Review: Arts, Heritage, Music. The Music Commission sent its resulting Recommendation 20201019-2bii to City Council, which states that a Preservation, Innovation, and Elevation & Collaboration fund be established to create greater equitable economic growth in the Austin music industry. This recommendation is the foundation of the resulting pilot program of the fund, the Live Music Fund Event Program.

The Live Music Fund, established by City Ordinance No. 20190919-149 on September 19, 2019, is the result of recommendations from 2017’s Visitor Task Force's Final Report. This is an ongoing fund sourced from State of Texas Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenues to support the Austin music industry and not a relief and recovery program in response to the pandemic.

Since the Live Music Fund is funded with HOT revenues, supported activities should encourage, promote, improve, and showcase Austin’s live music industry to sustainably develop infrastructure and experiences that attract tourism and develop Austin’s convention and hotel industries. Learn more about HOT funded cultural programs in Texas through the Texans for the Arts Hotel Occupancy Tax Toolkit.

City Staff coordinated community engagement efforts with the Music Commission’s Live Music Fund Working Group and Systemic Racism Working Group, which were comprised of Music Commissioners and representatives of Austin’s Music community who were nominated during the Commission’s December 2019 and July 2020 meetings respectively. City Staff and the working groups gathered and organized feedback on community priorities to form the below recommendations for the pilot program:

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact Michelle McLaren at 512-974-9053 or Relay Texas 7-1-1

Consultation has concluded

Have a question about the Live Music Fund Event Program? Send your questions to the Music & Entertainment Division and we will respond as soon as possible. Thank you!

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    How do we get involved with some sort of city funding for Cultural Arts? We are a local independent Hip Hoo Label & promotions company that have been supporting Austin Hip Hoo artists for over 6 years now. We sure could use some funding to operate on a much larger scale. Our mission statement is Community, Unity, & Opportunity. We build a community for conscious Hip Hop artists & fans, build unity through our events, & provide opportunity for local artists to showcase their skills in front of new music fans. We can do so much for the youth & upcoming artists, we just need funding to continue to grow & foster what we’ve developed & started.

    Mike Pereida asked 5 months ago

    Hello!

    Please go to the Live Music Fund Event Program webpage to learn more about Music & Entertainment Division funding program for small independent promoters and professional musicians. 

    To learn more about upcoming grant opportunities from the Cultural Arts Division, go to the Cultural Funding webpage. Upcoming Cultural Funding programs include:

    Thrive grant: Cultural Growth  

    • Open to 501c arts organizations in Austin 
    • Focused investment to sustain and grow arts organizations that are deeply rooted in and reflective of Austin’s diverse cultures 
    • Organizations must have a five-year operating history in Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)   
    • Grants for general operating support, project support, and institutional improvements 
    • Review the draft guidelines for the Thrive program (PDF) - Updated draft as of June 8
    • This program will open October 2022 

    Elevate grant: Supporting the Journey

    • Open to cultural organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses 
    • Grants for the creative and administrative expenses of cultural producers that amplify equity and prioritize inclusive programming 
    • Encourages applicants to continue and expand operationalized equity 
    • Review the draft guidelines for the Elevate program (PDF) - Updated draft as of June 8
    • This program will open in 2023 

    Nexus grant: Creative Collaboration 

    • Open to small organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses  
    • Nurture new and emerging applicants by funding creative public projects developed through community activation and/or collaboration 
    • Eligible applicants must have an operating budget under $150,000 
    • Review the draft guidelines for the Nexus program (PDF) - Updated draft as of June 8
    • This program will open in 2023 

    The Additional Program Details document has relevant guidelines information for all three programs. Updated draft as of June 8.

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    I am in the process of coming up with a culture appreciation festival for us, and I would like to be guided on the right path. I have to reach out when and where this can be allowed for a celebration in music

    Nancyfup asked 9 months ago

    Hello!

    If this is a music festival, the Live Music Fund Event Program isn't yet open and taking applications for financial support, but please join our newsletter to stay on top of the latest updates. 

    You may also visit the City of Austin Austin Center for Events website to learn more about organizing special events in Austin if your event is taking place in a public space not already permitted for such events. Thanks for reaching out!

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    I wish to know the deadline for filing an application for funding a live music festival in Austin, created by local musicians and Austin venue. Please help!

    Leti asked 11 months ago

    Hello!

    Thank you for your question. An application deadline for the Live Music Fund Event Program has not yet been established. 

    Staff must first report back to the Music Commission and Mayor & City Council on updated program guidelines based on the Music Commission Recommendation 20220207-3b, which was approved on February 7, 2022. 

    Please join our newsletter to receive the latest updates on the timeline. Thanks again for your question!

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    Hello! I'm a professional musician and artist here in Austin. I'm reading about this fund and I'm excited! Do artists gain access to this funding through a nomination process, or is there an application that can be accessed online? Thanks for your help! Best, Daniel Fears https://danielfears.com/

    Daniel Fears asked about 1 year ago

    Hi, Daniel-

    Thanks for reaching out! There will be a public application to apply for the program once it launches in 2022. Anyone can apply but must meet all eligibility criteria to be considered for an award. The eligibility criteria are still in draft form as the Working Group formed during the November 2021 Music Commission meeting continues their work. Please join our newsletter to receive the latest news. Thanks again for reaching out!

    Music & Entertainment Division Staff