The city has completed the payout of $3.5 million in grants to 368 recipients of the first round of the Live Music Fund. First established by City Council in 2019, the program uses a portion of Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue to provide grants of $5,000 and $10,000 to local musicians and event promoters to book live music performances across the city. With the Long Center for the Performing Arts handling some of the administrative and payment duties, the Economic Development Department used the pilot year of the program to gauge its impact throughout the year. Plans call for an increased budget for 2024, when live music venues will also be eligible to apply for awards. “Through the Live Music Fund Event Program, we stand by our commitment to Austin’s diverse artistic community, celebrating the rhythm of our city’s identity,” said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, director of the Economic Development Department. “These grants empower musicians, bands and promoters, helping further prove that Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World.”
Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written... More by Chad Swiatecki