Members of the Music Commission have set their sights on influencing how the city handles land use specific to affordability, in the hopes that more homes and commercial spaces can be created for local musicians and artists. The commission voted unanimously at Monday’s meeting to reorganize a recently formed working group focused on the proposed […]
Austin Music Commission
The Austin Music Commission guides city practices on music development issues, including the SxSW music festival.
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission wants to study pros and cons of expanded convention center
Before deciding its position on the proposed expansion of the Austin Convention Center, the Music Commission will form a working group to study details of the project that’s expected to cost up to $1.4 billion. Commissioners voted 7-1 at Monday’s meeting in support of forming the working group, with Commissioner Scott Strickland voting against the […]
Posted inAustin
City speeds up Live Music Fund for spring 2023 launch
The city has refined its process for rolling out awards for the $3 million Live Music Fund, with city staff preparing to begin dispersing funds to local musicians next spring. That change shaves roughly three months off the timeline for the initial launch of the program that was approved by City Council in 2019, using […]
Posted inCity Hall
Music Commission wants Council to ‘expedite’ Live Music Fund activation
The Music Commission plans to push City Council and staff to speed up the deployment of the Live Music Fund, which was approved by City Council in fall 2019 but is not scheduled to be distributed until next July. At last week’s special meeting, commission Chair Anne-Charlotte Patterson said local musicians have been waiting years […]
Posted inPlanning
Stream reveals details of six possible new Sixth Street music venues
Stream Realty Partners is eyeing the possibility of turning at least six of its properties on East Sixth Street into music venues, including a plan to convert the former Buffalo Billiards space into a daytime food hall with music in the evenings. The partial reveals came Friday at a special meeting of the Music Commission where Caitlyn […]
Posted inAustin
City staffing shortages to delay Live Music Fund deployment until mid-2023
Musicians, promoters and other creatives will have to wait another year to enter into a contract of $5,000-$10,000 from the city’s Live Music Fund. The delay is due to a staffing shortage in the city, including 20 positions in the Economic Development Department, with the management of the fund headed for a third-party contractor. During a […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission shows support for STR agreement but delays recommendation to Council
The Music Commission voiced support Monday for the city to enter into an agreement with short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, but opted to gather more information from staff and held off on making a recommendation to City Council over the matter. The presentation from Luis Briones, Airbnb’s Texas director of public policy and government […]
Posted inAustin
Commissioners want business, tech funds to support creative sector
The Austin business community, particularly the technology companies flocking to the area, will likely be asked this year to increase their support for a creative sector that is being squeezed by the rising cost of living across the city. Members of the Arts and Music commissions have formed a working group focused on increasing awareness […]
Posted inCity Hall
Musicians playing city events could see pay bump to $200 per hour
Musicians performing at events organized by the city could see a pay increase to $200 per hour, the first increase since 2016, when the rate was set at $150 per hour. The Music Commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend the city implement the pay increase. The vote followed a presentation earlier in the meeting detailing […]
Posted inCity Hall
City anticipates legal challenges to race-based grants, including Live Music Fund
The city may need to roll back or adjust race-based considerations in some of its grant programs over concerns that the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts may in the coming months rule against the use of such criteria. One of the city programs most under threat from that possibility is the long-planned and […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
COTA accessibility task force expected to begin work this month
The county executive leading the push to improve disability access at Circuit of the Americas said he expects the proposed task force around that issue to begin its work later this month. Bruce Elfant, Travis County tax assessor-collector and voter registrar, said staffers at the racetrack and concert venue are ready to cooperate and convene […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Rolling Stones concert problems lead to push for disability task force
The much-publicized parking and other logistical problems at last month’s Rolling Stones concert at Circuit of the Americas has pushed local officials to call for the creation of a task force focused on accessibility issues at area concert venues. Bruce Elfant,Travis County tax assessor-collector and voter registrar, spoke at Monday’s Music Commission meeting about the […]