Arts Commission Regular Meeting of the Arts Commission - This meeting will be held with some members attending in person and others attending remotely.
REGULAR MEETING of the ARTS COMMISSION February 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM Austin Energy, Mueller Assembly Rm 1111a (115). 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 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 Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than Noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Jesús Varela at jesus.varela@austintexas.gov or at 512-974-2444. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Celina Zisman - Chair, Heidi Schmalbach - Vice Chair, Keyheira Keys, Monica Maldonado, Felipe Garza, Gina Houston, Acia Gray, Faiza Kracheni, Amy Mok, Nagavalli Medicharla AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on January 27, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on DEI words that will no longer allowed to be used by the Trump administration by Chair Zisman 3. Report of the Art in Public Places Liaison concerning actions taking during the February 3rd meeting of the Art in Public Places Panel by Commissioner Maldonado 4. Update on actions taken at the January 15th Downtown Commission meeting by Commissioner Mok STAFF BRIEFINGS 5. Staff briefing regarding the establishment of the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment by Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager 6. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Hotel Occupancy Tax by Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager 7. Staff briefing on the Cultural Arts Funding Programs by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Action to Approve Request for Qualification for the Asian American Resource Center Art in Public Places Project 9. Action to Approve Final Design for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Terminal Expansion Phase (TEP) II “A” Art in Public Places Project 10. Discussion and possible action on recommendation for the evolution of the Cultural Arts Grants in 2025 and beyond, after presentation by Commissioner Medicharla, on behalf of the CAD Grants Working Group 11. Discussion and possible action on …
Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Update Arts Commission Meeting February 24, 2025 Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment Established February 24, 2025, ACME focuses on sustaining and growing Austin’s creative sector Implements recommendation of CreateAustin Cultural Master Plan • Principal Recommendation #3: Create a City Department of Arts and Culture Inaugural Director: Angela Means Impacted Departments/Divisions: • Aviation: Music & Events; Austin Public Library: Heritage Centers; Economic Development: Cultural Arts, AIPP; Parks & Recreation: Cultural Centers, Office of Special Events, Heritage Tourism; Development Services: Austin Center for Events, Entertainment Services • Streamlines staff coordination, provides a more cohesive and accessible experience for stakeholders and amplifies the reach and effectiveness of joint initiatives • • • • Goals: C I T Y O F A U S T I N Questions? C I T Y O F A U S T I N
Hotel Occupancy Tax Update Arts Commission Meeting February 24, 2025 Hotel Occupancy Tax – January 2025 • Total HOT Collections January 2025 = $29,682,604 • 36% of FY25 Approved Budget of $169,901,585 • Cultural Arts Fund January 2025 = $2,834,604 C I TY O F A U S T I N HOT Cultural Arts Fund - FY25 C I TY O F A U S T I N Approved Budget for FY25: $16,217,879 FY25 HOT Cultural Arts Fund to date: $5,892,855 HOT Collections (FY22 – FY25) C I TY O F A U S T I N Questions? C I TY O F A U S T I N
Cultural Arts Funding Update February 24, 2025 Agenda 1. Contracts & Payments 2. FY 25 Cultural Funding Updates 3. Grant Funded Activities C I T Y O F A U S T I N Contracts & Payments FY23 Elevate FY23 Nexus (Fall/Winter) FY24 Nexus (Spring/ Summer) FY23-24 Thrive (Year 1) FY23-24 Thrive (Year 2) Contracts & Payments (As of 2/21/25) Total Contracts Signed & Processed Contracts Test payments issued & verified Payment 1 Issued Payment 2 Issued Payment 3 Issued 199 199 (100%) 199 (100%) 199 (100%) 196 (98%) 155 (78%) 51 51 (100%) 51 (100%) 51 (100%) 49 (96%) n/a 51 51 (100%) 51 (100%) 51 (100%) 51 (100%) n/a 36 36 (100%) 36 (100%) 36 (100%) 36 (100%) n/a See year 1 N/A N/A 35 (97%) 35 (100%) n/a Total Dist. to date Total Allocation $6,005,942 (96%) $6,250,000 $254,000 (99%) $255,000 $255,000 (100%) $255,000 $3,901,500 (100%) $3,901,500 (100%) $3,901,500 $3,901,500 *Each grant has a different reporting deadline. Final Payments are issued upon successful close out of Final Report. C I T Y O F A U S T I N FY 25 Cultural Funding Updates Cultural Funding Program Update Staff have determined the need for an intentional timeline shift for Cultural Funding Programs (Elevate) Established Goals within Timeline Shift • Maintain Goals established during Cultural Funding Review Process (Pilot Year 3) • Address Legislative Impacts (State/Federal) • Meaningfully Engage Community and Commission • Limit Potential Funding Disruptions Goal Launch: Early Fall 2025 C I T Y O F A U S T I N Speak Up Austin 1. https://publicinput.com/x76220 2. Open through July 2025 C I T Y O F A U S T I N January Responses C I T Y O F A U S T I N FY 25 Nexus Timeline January 28, 2025 May 1, 2025 May 30, 2026 Nexus application opens Nexus activities begin Latest Nexus Final Report due date Nexus application closes Last day for Nexus activities March 6, 2025 April 30, 2026 C I T Y O F A U S T I N Grant Funded Activities FY23-24 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities Irene Antonia Diane Reece • January 18 – March 4 • Women & Their Work – Women & Their Work (Dist 4) 7th Annual Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera • February 21 – March 2 • One Ounce Opera – dadaLab (Dist 4) The Art of Taxes • February …
•Project: Asian American Resource Center •Artist: TBD •Phase: ACTION: Approve Request for Qualifications •Sponsoring Department: Parks & Recreation •Project Budget: $90,000 •Council District: District 1 •Project Manager: Lindsay Hutchens Arts Commission Meeting 02/24/2025 Asian American Resource Center 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754 Project Background The Asian American Resource Center Pavilion project centers around the development of a multipurpose pavilion that integrates with the existing great lawn. The pavilion is envisioned as a flexible, year-round venue designed to host a variety of small to medium-sized programs and events. Key planned features include a performance area, accessible amenities, and supporting infrastructure for diverse community activities. This project is designed to provide a high-quality, versatile space that meets the diverse needs of its users and emphasizes sustainability. 2D or 3D artwork Austin area artists Asian American Resource Center AIPP on-site Lotus, 2013, ceramic tile and granite Sunyong Chung and Philippe Klinefelter AIPP in the area Gus Garcia Recreation Center Building Community, 2023 painted mural Lindsey Millikin Tribute to Gus Garcia, 2008 steel and stone Lars Stanley Georgian Acres Park To Be Together, 2023, aluminum stainless steel, paint Kemba Opio St. John's Pocket Park St. John Community Pillar, 2021 concrete, steel, acrylic paint Damon Moseley St. Johns Community Center Community Core Sample Project, 2002, mixed media Threshold Project, 2002, marble Beverly Penn and Steve Wiman EMS Station 14 Sky Gates, 2013 aluminum, brass, copper, glass Peter Mangan OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS Public Art Opportunity Asian American Resource Center - City of Austin Art in Public Places project, District 1 City of Austin (Texas): Art in Public Places (AIPP) Call open – May 20, 2025 Deadline for Submissions – June 26, 2025, time TBD Submit all information via TBC Description The City of Austin Art in Public Places program (AIPP) of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department (EDD) seeks to commission one professional visual artist or artist-led team to design, fabricate and install two and/or three-dimensional exterior artwork at the Asian American Resource Center at 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754. Public Artwork Goals • A work of art of redeeming quality that advances public understanding of visual art and enhances • Conceptualizes a strong overall artwork design approach that integrates with the site the aesthetic quality of public places and surrounding natural environment • Speaks to and represents the Asian American experience in Austin, Texas, including o Diaspora, migration o Belonging, setting …
• Project: Terminal Expansion Phase (TEP) II A • Artist(s): Beili Liu • Phase: Final Design Review • Sponsoring Department: Aviation • Project Budget: $200,000 • Council District: District 2 • Project Manager: Alex Irrera DATE:02/24 /2025 ARTS COMMIS SION ME ETING AGE NDA ITEM TEP II A Recent Project Timeline: ➢ August 2023 – Mid-Design Review at AIPP Panel ➢ September 2023 – Final Design Package submitted ➢ April 2024 – Site change ➢ May 2024 – Budget increase from $155K to $200K ➢ September 2024 – Staff update to AIPP Panel ➢ December 2024 – Revised Final Design Package submitted ➢ January 2025 – Permitting/Fire Review and AUS Review of Revised Final Design ➢ February 2025 – AIPP Panel & Arts Commission Review of Revised Final Design Original Site: Exit of the elevated International Corridor and above the main escalator and staircase within the FIS/CBP area TEP II A New Site: High ceiling triangle nook and clerestory volume by Gate 15 (approximate area shown) Convergence / Austin AUS Terminal Expansion Phase II AIPP Project Final Design Presentation Beili Liu Studio Lure/Rise Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco Thread, needle, dimensions variable Narrative The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in our nation, reflecting the impressive growth and increasing allure of our beloved city of Austin as an eclectic culture, arts, and technology destination. Serving both Austin residents and travelers around the world, the AUS Terminal Expansion Phase II accommodates an additional four million passengers and supports the AUS Airport’s mission to be the “Gateway to the World for All.” Convergence / Austin is a site-responsive public art installation that reflects and responds to the purpose, growth, and excellence of the Austin-Bergstrom Airport. Visual Impact The ascending, fluid rhythm of the artwork invokes the intricate and interconnected balance among diverse individuals and the powerful force that emerges when we come together to form an ever-evolving and energetic community. Convergence / Austin encourages travelers to take a moment to slow down—to observe and contemplate, to connect and share. Rendering Full View Artwork overlaid on the Fire suppression plan Artwork overlaid on the Fire suppression plan (zoomed in) Artwork overlaid on the Mezzanine Floorplan 44'7" floor tobottom of beam50'2" floorto ceiling45'5" floor tobottom of beam18'5" floor tobottom of panel21'3" floor to bottomof window frame33'-6"40'30'18'-7"18'-6"18'-9"10"12"412" Ceiling Suspension Structure • • • Footprint of artwork: 16’x 12‘, updated to fit …
RECOMMENDATION FOR EVOLVING THE CURRENT CULTURAL ARTS GRANTS PROGRAM FRAMEWORK Recommenda�on from the 2025 CAD Grants Working group PARTICIPANTS Arts Commissioners Community members RECOMMENDATION RE-DEFINE PROGRAMS Acia Gray, Gina Houston, Faiza Kracheni, Monica Maldanado, Nagavalli Medicharla (Chair, Working Group) Bonnie Cullum (Vortex), Candyce Rusk (Individual ar�st, crea�ve + business writer), John Riedi (Aus�n Crea�ve Alliance), Matrex Kilgore (Individual ar�st, Theatre/Arts educa�on, TCA background), Toni Bravo (DiverseSpace Dance Theatre), Anne Charlote Paterson (Individual ar�st, Dance, Music Commission), Celeste Quesada (Non-profit/film, Music Commission) ** Sections highlighted in yellow indicate that there was difference of approach/opinion on the item within the working group • THRIVE (biennial): Two Year Opera�onal Support to help arts nonprofits get to ins�tu�onal • ELEVATE (annual): Annual Project-based Support for arts nonprofits, art groups, and • Nexus (semi-annual): Semi-annual / short term Project-based Support for arts nonprofits, status o Emerging o Established / Legacy independent ar�sts. o Note: Removed “creative businesses” independent ar�sts, and art groups o Note: Removed “creative businesses” RE-DEFINE APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY Thrive: • Arts Nonprofits crea�ve history for the past 5 years • Org opera�onal budget min. $50K in the past year Elevate: • Organiza�on should be registered as an arts non-profit for min. 5 years and have demonstrated • Arts Non-profits • Independent Ar�sts o Organiza�on should be registered as a non-profit for min. 3 years and have demonstrated crea�ve history for the past 3 years o Demonstrated crea�ve history for the past 2 years o Require fiscal sponsorship Fiscal sponsorship fee limited to 10% of grant or less Sponsoring en��es should meet accepted standards for sponsoring qualifica�ons - separa�on of funds, financial processes mee�ng GAAP, do not share staff with sponsored projects, etc. • All applicants need 50% matching funds incl. IN KIND or possible staff explora�on of ques�ons that would highlight this community engagement • Arts Group o Demonstrated crea�ve history for the past 2 years o Require fiscal sponsorship Fiscal sponsorship fee limited to 10% of grant or less Sponsoring en��es should meet accepted standards for sponsoring qualifica�ons - separa�on of funds, financial processes mee�ng GAP, do not share staff with sponsored project, etc • All applicants need 50% matching funds incl. in kind or staff explora�on of ques�ons that would highlight community engagement Nexus: • Independent ar�sts • Arts groups • Arts Nonprofits • Demonstrated crea�ve history for the past 1 year • No fiscal sponsorship requirement …
