Requests for additional funds for cultural and arts needs in a bond proposal expected to be voted on in November are causing worry from community groups that sticker shock could put much-needed funding at risk. Some of those concerns bubbled up at Monday’s meeting of the Arts Commission, during discussion on possibly linking requests from […]
Arts Commission
The Arts Commission advises the Austin City Council in all arts-related matters, fosters the development of the arts, and promotes cooperation between the City and the public.
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Creative ‘hubs’ requests moving forward for $40M bond ask
The questions surrounding a movement to build multiple creative “hubs” – or possibly one single campus – for Austin’s arts and music communities are becoming somewhat clearer as proponents of those groups continue talks ahead of an August decision on the size and makeup of the city’s fall general obligation proposal. The city’s Arts and […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Music Commission’s ‘hub’ concept prompts request for $15M bond increase
The Austin Music Commission is asking City Council to add $15 million to November’s bond package to buy or build property that could be used as a music hub to support the city’s flagging music industry. At Monday’s meeting the commission voted 8-0 to approve a recommendation that points to the need for a facility […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Arts Commission seeks $25M bond increase to fund ‘adaptive’ creative space
The Arts Commission has asked City Council to add $25 million to this fall’s infrastructure bond package. The money would be used to provide more rehearsal and performance space for arts groups that are quickly running out of usable space as the city’s property values continue to rise. At its meeting on Monday, the commission […]
Posted inCity Hall
City pauses arts program amid protests, possible MACC opt-out
The city has paused a program intended to create much-needed venue space for local arts groups amid controversy and concern over how it would mesh with cultural groups that operate out of city cultural centers. Laura Esparza, manager of museums and cultural programs for the Parks and Recreation Department, informed the Arts Commission on Monday […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Land trust and incentives for arts appear headed for Council
The creation of a land trust – a potential first for the city – is one of the tools City Council will consider next month in an attempt to keep artists and musicians from getting priced out of Austin. Council Member Ann Kitchen is completing language for the resolution that would include four components to […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Kitchen to take up city efforts to preserve music, arts venues
Council Member Ann Kitchen has started work on a resolution that will direct city staff to examine ways for the city to step up and help prevent music venues, small community theaters and other creative spaces from being priced out of their long-standing locations. Kitchen said the effort is still in the very preliminary stages […]
Posted inAustin
Austin’s creative culture holds weight in economic incentives revision
In response to City Council direction in March, Austin’s Economic Development Department has spent the better part of the year meeting with specific groups in the community that have a stake in how the city approaches policies such as business recruitment, real estate planning and business incentives packages in the coming years. In an effort […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
After a successful first year, the Art Space Assistance Program will not continue
The Art Space Assistance Program that is aimed at assisting creative-focused nonprofits facing permanent displacement, those previously displaced, or those facing lease renewals at substantially higher rates did not receive funding from City Council for 2018. Council approved $200,000 of General Fund money for the new program in June. The program was intended for organizations […]
Posted inAustin
Imposing owls may soon nest near Butterfly Bridge
You may soon notice two pairs of orange, warm glowing orbs peeking over the new Butterfly Bridge downtown after it is complete, at least if the Arts Commission approves two gigantic owls to greet Austinites and tourists. The New American Public Art studio presented the two nocturnal art sculptures to the Art in Public Places […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Arts Commission encourages artist collaboration to save funding
The Arts Commission is encouraging collaboration among Austin artists not only for a sense of community but also to safeguard its cultural arts funding process. Commissioner Richard “Bears” Fonte said artists have double-dipped in the cultural arts fund by splitting into separate art groups working toward the same or similar projects and applying for grants, and […]
Posted inCity Hall
Arts groups line up for city venue assistance funds
It appears competition will be thick among local arts groups looking to get a piece of the $200,000 the city has made available to keep those groups from being priced out of the studios and other buildings they call home. The money, which was diverted from unspent funds in the city’s Music Venue Assistance Program, […]