20200410-03di: Support for Creative Space Project — original pdf

Recommendation

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20200410-03di: Support for Creative Space Project WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission (the "Commission") is authorized by Austin City Code§ 2-1-101 to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for the City's African American community; and WHEREAS, the Commission is specifically authorized to recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic, and vocational pursuits, including (1) health care; (2) housing, including affordable housing, home ownership, and homelessness; (3) entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; (4) employment; and (5) cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and music venues; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has invested significant resources in developing and executing initiatives that help accelerate the growth of the Creative Arts industry infrastructure; and WHEREAS, collectively, Austin’s Creative Arts ecosystem generates productive, social, cultural and economic benefit; and WHEREAS, in addition to its economic development role, the City of Austin, through its Cultural Arts Division Office (CAD), regularly assists creative persons/venues with required permits and works jointly with both small and large creative individuals/festivals on issues concerning the development of Austin Creative/Creators. The building of a Creative Space and program in the central-eastern crescent of Austin would provide the City of Austin with an opportunity to honor the wishes of the collective Austin community, as demonstrated through collected surveys and recorded open community forums which have indicated their desire to see the use of the $12M bond in this area. This addition would also further meet the City of Austin’s need to provide affordable and easily accessible resources to those creative populations who have been traditionally and systemically underserved and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s CAD Office has recently begun establishing funding criteria for the development of creative spaces and is developing funding criteria for use of the $12M bond approved in 2018; and  WHEREAS, the City of Austin has passed various resolutions directed at supporting Austin’s Creative Arts industry, in particular, City Council Resolution No 20180809-061 and Austin Music Commission Resolution (20200106-3, a) and the Cultural Arts Commission Resolution (20191209-6, a. iii, A). Each resolution created to address a variety of priorities, goals, and objectives within the City Council’s Strategic Directions 2023, particularly, Cultural and Lifelong Learning with strategic indicators of (A) Quality, accessibility, and diversity of civic and cultural venues, events, programs, and resources; (B) Vibrancy and sustainability of industry ecosystem; (C) Appreciation, respect, and welcoming of all people and cultures; and WHEREAS, the creation of an Austin Creative Space Project furthers the following metrics as outlined in the Strategic Direction 2023: CLL.B.5 - Number of community members who attended performances/events arranged through arts and music contracts; CLL.C1 - Percentage of residents who report feeling welcome in Austin; CCL.C.4 - Number of attendees at City-supported multicultural activities; CLL.C.5 - Percentage of participants in City-supported events or programs who say that; CLL.C.6 - Percentage of residents who attended a City-supported cultural event who reported they have a deeper appreciation of a culture different from their own; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THE CITY COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO CREATE AN AUSTIN CREATIVE SPACE PARTNERSHIP WITH AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT (AISD) AND IDENTIFY OPTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION THAT CONSIDERS THE POTENTIAL (AND CONTINUED) USE OF AISD FACILITIES AND RESOURCES IN THE CREATION OF A CREATIVE SPACE, PARTICULARLY, THE REPURPOSING OF SIMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INTO A CREATIVE CAMPUS. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, COMMUNITY-BASED FUNDING, BOND RESOURCES, AND POTENTIAL MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE RELATIVE PRIVATE SECTOR, CULTURE ARTS FOUNDATIONS, AND OR GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS FUNDING RELATED INITIATIVES; AND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL REQUIRE THE CITY MANAGER TO RETURN TO THE CITY COUNCIL IN 45 DAYS WITH A PLAN OF ACTION TO IMPLEMENT THE AUSTIN CREATIVE SPACE PROGRAM; AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION FURTHER RECOMMENDS, THAT THE CITY MANAGER SUPPORTS COLLABORATION AMONG THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AISD, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION, THE MUSIC COMMISSION AND THE ARTS COMMISSION, TO INTEGRATE THEIR INPUT AND CONSIDERATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AUSTIN CREATIVE SPACE PROJECT. THE PURPOSE OF THE AUSTIN CREATIVE SPACE PROJECT  IS TO BRIDGE THE GAPS THAT EXIST BETWEEN PERSONS WHO CREATE AND THE SPACE NEEDED TO BE CREATIVE, INCOME, LIVING, AND OTHER NECESSITIES. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CREATIVE SPACE SHOULD INCORPORATE ELEMENTS OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE ALLOCATION AND DEDICATION OF SPACE FOR AUSTIN’S BLACK CREATIVE AND OTHER UNDERSERVED CREATIVE COMMUNITIES OF AUSTIN. I affirm this recommendation was approved by the African American Resource Advisory Commission. ____________________________ Daryl Horton, AARAC Chair MAY 4, 2020 _______________ Date