ARTS COMMISSION MEETING September 20, 2021 AT 6:00PM Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Arts Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Michelle Polgar – Chair, Celina Zisman – Vice Chair, Brett Barnes, Jaime Castillo, Lulu Flores, Acia Gray, kYmberly Keeton, Amy Mok, Heidi Schmalbach, Rick Van Dyke CALL TO ORDER AGENDA CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve the minutes for the regular Arts Commission meetings on: i. August 16, 2021 2. CHAIR’S REPORT a. Updates, Agreements and Special Announcements b. Art in Public Places liaison report c. AEDC/Cultural Trust Advisory Committee Report – Carl Settles d. Downtown Commission Report – Commissioner Keeton 3. STAFF BRIEFINGS Department a. Hotel Occupancy Tax Update – Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Economic Development b. Cultural Funding Update – Meghan Wells, Cultural Arts Division Manager 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and Possible Action on Working Group Updates i. Emergency Funding and Proactive Strategies for Future Funding Working Group with Commissioners Barnes, Flores, Schmalbach, Van Dyke, and Zisman (chair) ii. Equity Resource Working Group with Commissioners Polgar, Castillo, and iii. Quarterly Arts Community Commission Meet-ups Working Group with Commissioners Barnes, Castillo, and Garza iv. Art Neighborhoods Working Group with Commissioners Mok, Zisman, and Keeton (chair) Van Dyke (chair) v. Joint Working Group for Joint Cultural Committee with Commissioners Vice Chair Polgar, Chair Castillo (chair) and working group members from the Quality of Life Commissions vi. Joint Art & Music Land Development Working Group with Commissioners Vice Chair Polgar (chair), Chair Castillo and working group members from the Music Commission b. Discussion and possible action on Arts Commission Goals, Section 1: Equity 5. NEW BUSINESS a. AIPP Discussion and Action Items i. Reform the Public Private Partnership (P3) working group to consider how the AIPP Ordinance is applied to a new process of acquiring City facilities through public/private partnerships b. Misc. Discussion and Possible Action Items i. Cultural Funding Review Process A. Community engagement, program revision plans and time frame B. Consideration for pausing and formation of a community task force (Commissioners Gray, Schmalbach) 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The …
ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20210920-4.a.i Date: Subject: September 21, 2021 Arts Commission Recommendations regarding FY 21 allocation of American Rescue Plan Funds (ARPA) for relief programs for the arts community Recommendations The Commission recommends the allocation $5,403,600 in ARPA funds as follows: 1. Current cultural contractors in Core and Cultural Heritage Festivals who received less than $10K in relief funding (through at least four sources -- Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, ARPA-funded Arts and Culture Nonprofit Relief, Creative Space Assistance Program, and CARES Act-funded Nonprofit Relief for arts orgs), will receive 100% of their FY21 contract amount. Total: $1,861,125 2. Current cultural contractors in Core and Cultural Heritage Festivals who received less than $1M but more than $10K in relief funding (through at least four sources -- Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, ARPA-funded Arts and Culture Nonprofit Relief, Creative Space Assistance Program, and CARES Act-funded Nonprofit Relief for arts orgs), will receive 85% of their FY21 contract amount. Total: 3,439,348 3. This leaves a remainder of just under $200K, to be used as needed for adjustments or other emergency funding programs that can serve other small organizations or individuals not covered in this funding proposal recommendation. These other possible uses of these funds are still under discussion by the Working Group and CAD /EDD staff. Description of Recommendation to Council This recommendation is a follow up to the previous recommendation made on August 19, 2021 by the Arts Commission to use ARPA Arts Funds for emergency relief grants to provide immediate relief to artists/organizations. The Commission took the following actions at its September 20, 2021 Commission meeting: Motion to allocate $5,403,600 in ARPA funds as recommended by the Emergency Funding and Proactive Strategies for Future Funding Working Group to provide relief funds for the arts community. Motioned: Flores Seconded: Gray 10-0 For Michelle Polgar – Chair Celina Zisman – Vice Chair Brett Barnes, Jaime Castillo Lulu Flores 2 of 2 Acia Gray kYmberly Keeton Amy Mok Heidi Schmalbach Rick Van Dyke Against – None Abstain – None Rationale: Over the course of three meetings (held on 9/10/21, 9/13/21, and 9/15/21), invaluable contributions from staff, and deep consideration of the feedback received from the community, the Working Group came to the decision to award the ARPA funds in the method described above. The working group operated and made its recommendation based on the following factors and priorities: Urgency Need o Funds to …
Commented [CB1]: Racial Equity Commented [CB2]: this is acceptable as just "equity" Commented [CB3]: Racial Equity lens Commented [CB4]: racial equity ARTS COMMISSION GOALS for 2021 With the Austin Strategic Direction 2023 in mind, the Arts Commission established and revised the Four Pillars and 4 Goals to support our commitment to lead with the lens of RACIAL EQUITY. In addition, these past 18 months we have experienced an unprecedented crisis – COVID 19 – which has required us to pivot in order to address the extraordinary challenges being faced by the Arts Community. FOUR PILLARS 1. Ensure and Encourage Equity –preserves the historic cultural heritage, and reflects the growing and diverse population of Austin; 2. Inspire Evolution – achieve advancement through innovation and resiliency; 3. Foster Collaboration – contribute to Austin arts eco‐system; 4. Cultivate Leadership – develop current and emerging leaders. In keeping with our Core Values expressed in our Four Pillars we set the following goals: Goal I: Continue to revise and recalibrate all areas and aspects of our work though an Equity lens and make it a priority as follows: a. Funding and Programming 1. Continue to evaluate and restructure the City Funding Process/Allocation/Programming designed with community input and collaboration and embracing fair and equitable balance throughout the arts community. 2. AIPP programs and relations – Continue to evaluate and ensure that equity policies in place are met in the selection and funding of artists/projects. 3. Rebalance support of the arts community with a focus on artistic quality and programing that reflect Austin’s unique demographics and cultural history. b. Community Relations and Engagement 1. Engage the Arts Community in equity work. 2. Acknowledge and support community groups’, arts organizations’, boards’ and individuals’ current equity practices and empower those who need to grow internal infrastructures and programing. 3. Collaborate with COA Liaison Groups and continue to support their equity policies and replicate as appropriate in our work. 4. Establish an Equity Working Group with Community Arts leaders of the BIPOC/LGBTQI/Disabilities Community/Women to embrace their collective wisdom to inform our work. c. Council Relations 1. Engage Council on the importance and vitality of community arts and culture and the need for additional funding sources. 2. Monitor, inform and advise Council on community issues of inclusion and diversity. d. Commission Self Evaluation and Improvement 1. Education/training on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for new and existing Commissioners. 2. Conduct annual retreat …
Cultural Arts Funding Update Meghan Wells, Cultural Arts Division Manager Economic Development Department September 20, 2021 C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 1 Clarification and updates since August 9: • Third Party administrator? • What about tourism? • Is racial representation the only factor for points? • Who defines “equity” and how it is operationalized? • Why are white‐led orgs being left out? • I don't understand Thrive vs. Elevate? • Where's the data you're using? C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 2 Clarification and updates since August 9: • Third Party administrator? Resounding no. Keep every possible dollar in artists’ pockets. • What about tourism? Still required by state law, nothing changed. • Is racial representation the only factor for points? No. It is a priority, but not exclusionary. • Who defines “equity” and how is it operationalized? We have a starter list, and more conversation needed WITH you. • Why are white‐led orgs being left out? We are now launching Elevate to • address concerns. I don't understand Thrive vs. Elevate? These program guidelines are in progress, and we need more conversation WITH you. • Where's the data you're using? We are adding historical funding info to the City's Open Data Portal. • A more robust webpage has been created at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/cultural‐funding C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 3 What are the next steps/things to remember? • We will continue to solicit, assess, and incorporate feedback. With ARPA likely being distributed before the end of 2021, we are looking at spring 2022 to launch HOT‐funded programs • We provided a briefing to Council on 8/24; will go to Audit & Finance Committee 9/22; likely again to full Council in near future • • • The City has made available $25M in relief funds to the creative/cultural community up to this point Arts Commission Working Group continues to explore alternative funding sources. • We are still in Stage 5. This continues to place constraints …
Hotel Occupancy Tax Update Sylnovia Holt Rabb, Deputy Director Economic Development Department September 20, 2021 C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 1 C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 2 Hotel Occupancy Tax – Collection through August Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund Month Ended August 31, 2021 Tfr to Cultural Arts Fund Approved Budget 7,790,403 Amended Budget 7,790,403 August w/Encumb 196,104 Year‐to‐date w/Encumb 5,097,762 Year‐End Estimate 4,296,896 Year‐End Variance Fav(Unfav) 3,493,507 Year‐End % Variance Fav(Unfav) 44.8% C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 3 Cultural Arts Fund Budget Amendment $500,000 Budget Amendment target date November 2, 2021 Council Meeting C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 4 Questions? C I T Y O F A U S T I N E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 5
Discussion and possible action City of Austin P3 Policy regarding AIPP S UE L A M BE , A I P P P RO G R A M M A N AG E R A N D RE W M O O R E , P 3 P RO G R A M M A N A G E R A I P P PA N E L | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 Andrew Moore manages the City of Austin’s P3 Program. Find more info about the program here: http://austintexas.gov/department/public-private-partnerships-p3-program-office 1 P3 project delivery path for AIPP • Key considerations with P3 process • If the City does not own the land, the facility will not be confirmed for purchase until it is mostly delivered. • The City can’t have an AIPP artwork in a privately owned building Issue = unmet needs • City-owned buildings are not meeting Solution = needs met @ significant cost savings • Planning ahead – uses RFP to solicit needs. competitive bids • Previous process was purchasing existing buildings as need arises. • Shifts financial risk to selected Developer • Fixed Price and Delivery Date. I’d like to start by explaining what “Public-Private Partnerships” or the “P3 delivery process” means in the City of Austin. When a City need arises, say for staff office space for example, the City typically purchases existing office buildings. The City does not have experience constructing office buildings. Many of city-owned or city-leased office buildings are reaching the end of their usefulness or do not meet the functions for which they were intended. To meet current and future needs, and to reduce the reliance on leased space, the City has developed a public-private partnership approach, which is managed by the P3 Program Office in the City’s Financial Services Department: The P3 approach uses a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to solicit competitive bids from Developer teams, allowing the City to shift the financial risk to the selected Developer using a fixed price and delivery date. Should costs exceed the agreed upon price or delivery date, the Developer is held responsible. At the completion of the project, the City purchases the building. Typical savings is about 30% over the cost of constructing a building. This process significantly reduces the cost and delivery timeline for public projects while also meeting City policy objectives. …
Quarterly Arts Commission Meetups Purpose: For the Arts Commission to connect, listen, communicate, and meet with the arts community. Including but not limited to: explaining the relationship of Arts Commission, CAD staff, City Council, and the arts community; recapping of regular meetings; providing forum to share resources & opportunities; discussing challenges to our creative ecosystem. Structure: 3 Arts Commissioners co-host ● Adjacent districts (i.e., 1,2,3 or 2,5,8), or ● Diverse representation ● After 1st year of meetings invite Music and/or QOL to co-host Meet 2nd Saturday or 2nd Tuesday after change of season ● Saturday at 2pm (Oct 9, Jan 8, Apr 2, Jul 9), or ● Tuesday at 6pm (Sep 28, Jan 4, Mar 29, Jul 5) Meet 2 (virtual) to 4 hours (in person) ● Although equitable accessibility is a challenge, we recommend hosting virtually until Austin is back at Stage 3 ○ We may continue using Big Medium Zoom account ○ Commissioner with best internet connection to act as primary host ○ Short recaps can be added to newsletter ○ Encourage guests to share information with those not attending ● At Stage 3, we may host hybrid and/or in-person meetings Sample Agenda: 1. Co-Host Introductions (5 mins.) a. Name & District b. Time on Commission c. Why agreed to serve 2. Recap last Arts Commission meeting (5 mins.) 3. Guest Introductions (5-15 mins.) a. Voice, if less than 12 guests b. Chat, if more than 12 guests 4. Lightning Announcements (10 mins.) a. Pecha-Kucha style presentations 30 to 60 secs. b. Include brief listings in newsletter i. 5. Open discussion (20mins. - 1 hour) 6. Adjourn (5 mins.)
