Special Meeting of the Arts Commission June 24, 2020 –1-2:30pm Arts Commission to be held June 24, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance, the day before the scheduled meeting, Tuesday, June 23 by Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 24 Arts Commission Meeting, residents must: Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7854 or Annemarie.Mckaskle@AustinTexas.gov no later than noon, Tuesday, June 23. Residents must include the following information in the email request o Resident speaker name o agenda item number(s) the resident wishes to address o whether the resident is for/against/neutral the item(s) o telephone number or email address of the resident speaker Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. Resident speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Resident speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to LIAISON EMAIL by Noon the day before (Tuesday, June 23) the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If the meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live ARTS COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 – 1-2:30pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Jaime Castillo – Chair, Michelle Polgar – Vice Chair, Brett Barnes, Lulu Flores, Bears Rebecca Fonte, Felipe Garza, kYmberly Keeton, Amy Mok, Rick Van Dyke, Celina Zisman AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The speakers signed up prior to noon on Tuesday, June 23 will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding only items posted on the agenda. a. Approve the minutes for the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on June 17, 2020 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. FY21 Cultural Funding update, Meghan Wells, Cultural Arts Division Manager 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and Action Items i. Discussion of FY 21 Cultural Funding Matrix 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City …
Special Meeting of the Arts Commission June 24, 2020 –1-2:30pm Arts Commission to be held June 24, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance, the day before the scheduled meeting, Tuesday, June 23 by Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 24 Arts Commission Meeting, residents must: Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7854 or Annemarie.Mckaskle@AustinTexas.gov no later than noon, Tuesday, June 23. Residents must include the following information in the email request o Resident speaker name o agenda item number(s) the resident wishes to address o whether the resident is for/against/neutral the item(s) o telephone number or email address of the resident speaker Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. Resident speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Resident speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to LIAISON EMAIL by Noon the day before (Tuesday, June 23) the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If the meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live ARTS COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 – 1-2:30pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Jaime Castillo – Chair, Michelle Polgar – Vice Chair, Brett Barnes, Lulu Flores, Bears Rebecca Fonte, Felipe Garza, kYmberly Keeton, Amy Mok, Rick Van Dyke, Celina Zisman AGENDA ADDENDUM 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and Possible Action on Advocacy Letter to Council The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Anne-Marie McKaskle-Davis at the Cultural Arts Division, at 512-974-7854, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For …
Slide 1 PROPOSED FY 21 FUNDING MATRIX JUNE 24, 2020 For discussion only. A special called meeting on June 24, 1‐2:30pm has been scheduled for anyone wishing to share their thoughts. Community members may sign up to speak no later than Noon, June 23 by emailing annemarie.mckaskle@austintexas.gov. Action is scheduled to take place at the June 26 Special Called Meeting at 1pm. 6 meetings from May 14 through last Friday, June 12. We looked at over 100 scenarios as information kept changing and trying to think of as many possibilities from as many angles as possible. I ask that you hold your comments until the end. Slide 2 Welcome Funding Matrix Guiding Principles FY 20 vs FY 21 Other Scenarios Proposed Funding Matrix C I T Y O F A U S T I N C U L T U R A L A R T S The Funding Matrix Working Group was chaired by Commissioner Flores, and comprised of Commissioners Garza, Polgar, and Zisman, and of Tammie Rubin from the Art In Public Places Panel. Slide 3 10 applications less than last year: 7 less in Core 3 less in CHFP Applications Received 370 Core 22 CHFP $13,052,347 Total Requested C I T Y O F A U S T I N C U L T U R A L A R T S Slide 4 These totals are the TOTAL HOT allocation, not just the amount awarded through Core and Cultural Heritage Festivals. Slide 5 • • • • • • WG Considerations Equity Lens FY 20 – 29% ALAANA received 25% of HOT funds COVID > impact on ALAANA communities over all Available Funds Total available down 45% Initial estimate lowered $400K between May and June To use or not use 10% Reserve Which programs to reduce/eliminate Impact on FY 22 available funds Impact on Large Orgs Vs Smaller Orgs Number of potential jobs lost Access other resources Equity lens • • FY 20 ‐ 29% ALAANA Contractors; received 25% of HOT Fund Impact of COVID‐19 has had a greater impact on ALAANA community Available funds Funding programs we can and cannot add or eliminate Reduction in available funds estimate To maintain 10% reserve or use it all Potential relief funds available Slide 6 Commitment to Equity "Acknowledge that the while this is a moment of deep distress, Black and Indigenous people and people of color (BIPOC) …
ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Date: Subject: 6-17-2020 Arts Commission Recommendation on Austin Non-profit Arts Organizations’ request for $5M in additional funding specifically for non-profit arts organizations of all sizes to retain jobs and sustain operations and remain open during this pandemic and economic crisis. Seconded By: Commissioner Bears Rebecca Fonte Motion By: Commissioner Lulu Flores Recommendation Request that City Council approve an emergency appropriation of $5 Million additional funds for Austin non-profit arts organizations for job retention and sustaining operations during the pandemic. Description of Recommendation to Council The Arts Commission, in support of the Arts community, recommends that Austin City Council designate $5 Million in emergency funding to Austin non-profit Arts organizations for their use in retaining jobs and to assist them in sustaining their operations in this time of economic crisis during the COVID 19 pandemic. The attached letter, supported by more than 250 arts organizations and their staff, cites the dire need non-profit arts organizations have for this funding. Acknowledging the support the creative sector has already received from the City of Austin, this funding would be in addition to the $5M CARES Act funding for the Creative Sector already approved by Council on 5/28/20 which is specific to individual artists, musicians and creatives. Without this dedicated funding, Austin risks dramatic losses to one of its most valuable assets, the broad and diverse creative arts sector. Rationale: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an unforeseen and unparalleled economic crisis in our community, our state, our country, and the world. Its tolls have been not only on human life, but also on the economic life of our businesses and organizations. Austin arts organizations, already reeling from displacement due to the rapid growth and development of our city, are now faced with unprecedented financial challenges brought on by the necessary but drastic responses at stemming the spread of the pandemic, including closures, stay at home orders and social distancing. Arts organizations of all sizes have lost their traditional revenue streams and are bearing huge losses and are struggling to survive. Historically underserved (ALAANA/BIPOC) and other marginalized organizations and communities (LGBTQ and Disability) are especially hard hit. In addition, the pandemic has dealt a blow to an important source of funding for the Arts. The HOT Funds, which are a dedicated source of funding for the Arts, has seen a 45% reduction and non-profit arts organizations funded through the COA Cultural Arts …
We respectfully request that the Arts Commission endorse the letter below, and recommend that City Council immediately designate $5 million in funding specifically for non-profit arts organizations to retain jobs and sustain operations during this pandemic and economic crisis. June 12, 2020 Dear Arts Commissioners, Thank you, The Undersigned Organizations Dear Mayor and Council Members, Thank you for your diligent and tireless work to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and for your leadership in the economic recovery of our city: from the assistance from the Austin Creative Space Disaster Relief Program and the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund, to the crucial actions being taken to address police brutality and the systemic racism facing Black and other non-white Austinites. We write today to also bring to your attention to Austin’s non-profit cultural arts organizations and our thousands of employees. Our organizations are impacted by the local state of disaster due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are in desperate need of economic relief. Our organizations already operate with limited budgets and many with salaries below the median income level. We request that the Austin City Council immediately designate $5 million in funding specifically for non-profit arts organizations to retain jobs and sustain operations during this pandemic and economic crisis. These funds will accomplish two major goals: Protect and Promote Austin’s Economic Recovery 11,700 middle to low income jobs, $1.1 billion in economic activity, and $7.8 million in direct municipal tax revenues are generated by non-profit arts and cultural organizations. At least 177 cultural non-profit organizations neither have a physical venue, nor are a part of the Music sector, and are therefore not addressed by other COVID recovery grants. These organizations employ thousands of artists and administrators, and cannot survive without assistance. 1.78% of Austin’s economy is fueled by the creative sector, second in the United States only to the Bay Area. The World Bank and UNESCO have reported that investing in cultural recovery speeds both health and economic recovery outcomes. Protect Austin’s Endangered Cultural Landscape Austin is able to draw and retain both businesses and residents due to our unique cultural identity. But massive cuts in funding, rampant gentrification/increased costs of living, • • • • • • • and now – the overwhelming effects of the COVID19 pandemic threaten to destroy that identity. By bringing together people across economic and social divides, arts are essential to the health …
ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200624-5.a Date: Subject: 6-24-2020 Arts Commission Recommendation on Austin Non-profit Arts Organizations’ request for $5M in additional funding specifically for non-profit arts organizations of all sizes to retain jobs and sustain operations and remain open during this pandemic and economic crisis. Seconded By: Commissioner Bears Rebecca Fonte Motion By: Commissioner Lulu Flores Recommendation Request that City Council approve an emergency appropriation of $5 Million additional funds for Austin non-profit arts organizations for job retention and sustaining operations during the pandemic to be allocated to, and distributed by, the COA Cultural Arts Division under the guiding principal of working toward equity. Description of Recommendation to Council The Arts Commission, in support of the Arts community, recommends that Austin City Council designate $5 Million in emergency funding to Austin non-profit Arts organizations for their use in retaining jobs, and to assist them in sustaining their operations in this time of economic crisis during the COVID 19 pandemic. Acknowledging the support the creative sector has already received from the City of Austin, this funding would be in addition to the $5M CARES Act funding for the Creative Sector already approved by Council on 5/28/20 which is specific to individual artists, musicians and creatives. Without this dedicated funding, Austin risks dramatic losses to one of its most valuable assets, the broad and diverse creative arts sector. The $5 Million in emergency funds would be allocated to COA Cultural Arts Division for process and distribution. The guidelines would incorporate an equity-driven process as outlined by the City of Austin Equity Office ensuring that historically underserved (ALAANA/BIPOC) and marginalized (LGBTQIA/Disability) non-profit arts organizations are equitably served. Guidelines for eligibility and distribution would be developed by the Cultural Arts Division staff with the advice of the Arts Commission. Rationale: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an unforeseen and unparalleled economic crisis in our community, our state, our country, and the world. Its tolls have been not only on human life, but also on the economic life of our businesses and organizations. Austin arts organizations, already reeling from displacement due to the rapid growth and development of our city, are now faced with unprecedented financial challenges brought on by the necessary but drastic responses at stemming the spread of the pandemic, including closures, stay at home orders and social distancing. Arts organizations of all sizes have lost their traditional revenue streams and are bearing huge losses …
ARTS COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 – 1-2:30pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Jaime Castillo – Chair, Michelle Polgar – Vice Chair, Brett Barnes, Lulu Flores, Bears Rebecca Fonte, Felipe Garza, kYmberly Keeton, Amy Mok, Rick Van Dyke, Celina Zisman MINUTES seconded: Barnes CALL TO ORDER 1:02pm 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The speakers signed up prior to noon on Tuesday, June 23 will each be allowed a three minute Allotment to address their concerns regarding only items posted on the agenda. Motion to set the speaker time to 2.5 minutes Motioned: Flores For: 7-0 Commissioner Keeton absent Commissioners Garza and Mok not on the dais Commissioners Garza and Mok arrived on the dais Chris Cowden – Center for Women & Their Work - Consider women as an underserved population when considering funding as part of the members of the LGBT and Disability communities Ethan Azarian – Will funds awarded in FY 21 be a percentage of what was awarded in FY 20? Sylvia Orozco – Mexic-Arte Museum - Look at the current funding source, seek out alternative sources. Appreciates the use of an equity lens, but need to look at the history as a whole. Alma Saucedo – Austin International Drag Foundation - pleased to see that racial equity has been a focus in the funding matrix 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve the minutes for the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on June 17, 2020 Motion to approve minutes for the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on June 17, 2020 Motioned: Polgar Passes on Consent Seconded: Mok 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. FY 21 Cultural Funding update, Meghan Wells, Cultural Arts Division Manager 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and Action Items i. Discussion and possible on the FY 21 Cultural Funding Matrix no action taken Seconded: Mok 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and Possible Action on Advocacy Letter to Council Motion to add additional language to direct the potential allocation of the recommended funds to the draft recommendation Motioned: Flores Vote: 7-0-2 For: Mok, Flores, Zisman, Barnes, Castillo, Polgar, Garza Against: none Abstain: Van Dyke, Fonte Commissioner Keeton absent 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT: 2:32pm The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 …
