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 November 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001. 301 West 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 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: Gina Houston - Chair, Acia Gray - Vice Chair, Keyheira Keys, Monica Maldonado, Felipe Garza, Heidi Schmalbach, Muna Hussaini, Celina Zisman, Faiza Kracheni, Sharron B Anderson, 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 October 20, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on actions taken at the November 3rd Art in Public Places Panel by Commissioner Schmalbach 3. Update on actions taken at the October 15th Downtown Commission meeting by Commissioner Houston 4. Update on the TEMPO 2025-26 Artist Selection by Mandi Thomas, Chief Operating Officer, The Trail Conservancy and Rebecca Rende, Art in Public Places Coordinator Senior. STAFF BRIEFINGS 5. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Hotel Occupancy Tax by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. 6. Staff briefing regarding update on the Cultural Arts Funding Programs by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. 7. Staff briefing regarding an update on the AACME Funding Programs by Laura Odegaard, Acting Division Manager, AACME. 8. Staff briefing regarding an update on Art in Public Places by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 9. Approve the Final Design for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Atrium Infill / Terminal Expansion Phase II B Art in Public Places Project – Matthew Mazzotta and Josef Kristofoletti 10. Approve Art Call for the Northeast Service Center Garage Façade Art in Public Places Project. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 11. Update from joint Arts/Music Commission Working Group on Urban Core Issues with Commissioners Schmalbach, and …
TEMPO on the TRAIL “Conversation Stones” by Diego Miro-Rivera The Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, enhance, and connect the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail for the benefit of all. ARTS + CULTURE PLAN ● Enrich the community experience through art that complements the natural surroundings and preserves the Tril’s distinctive character. ● Commission work that surprises, challenges, and delights Trail users, artists, participants, and viewers; work that pushes the boundaries of creativity and understanding of place. ● Embrace the connection of the Trail to the world around it – community, city, watershed, ecosystem, and art. ● Connect artists to the Trail and its resources while connecting the Trail to communities and tourists/visitors. Permanent Artwork Performative Art Temporary Exhibitions Creative Activations TEMPO ON THE TRAIL 2025-2026 May 2025: AIPP Panel Project Briefing June 2025: City Council – Contract Approval July 2025: AIPP Panel Briefing (Artist Call) 113 32 Call for Artists: August 11 – September 8 Open House: August 19 (virtual) | August 21 (in-person) Artist Selection: October 20 TEMPO ON THE TRAIL 2025-2026 QUALIFCATIONS: • Austin-area resident (Williamson, Travis, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Burnet, or Blanco Counties) • Emerging artist – not currently under contract with the City of Austin • No more than 1 previous TEMPO exhibition 113 32 EVALUATION CRITERIA: • Creativity and Artist Merit • Contextual Relevance • Community Impact “Meet Me In The Park” Johnny Walker “Sun Poem” Ani Bradberry TEMPO ON THE TRAIL 2025-2026 113 32 9 3 Applicants Finalists Reviewed by Panel 113 32 Artists Selected Alternates NEXT STEPS: Oct. 22, 2025: Artist Notification Nov. 17, 2025: Final Designs Due Dec. 2025: Technical Advisory Group Review / Final Design Approvals Jan. 2026: Fabrication Feb. 2026: Installation “Really Small Museum: The Eco” Juliet Whitsett TEMPO ON THE TRAIL 2025-2026 Jasna Boudard - Sculpture at Seaholm Park (new location) Megan Echols | enFOLD Collective - Sculpture at Pfluger Circle (new location) Jamal Hussain - New Media at Odom Pavilion (new location) Victoria Marquez - Mural under Lamar Bridge Vy Ngo - Sculpture at Auditorium Shores Priscilla Lustig & Steef Crombach - Sculpture at Lakeshore Seth Prestwood - Mural under Drake Bridge J.C. King - Sculpture at Holly Shores Overlook Thomas Lemanski - Sculpture at Holly Fishing Pier (new location) Priscilla Lustig & Steef Crombach - Sculpture at Lakeshore Jasna Boudard Sculpture Seaholm Intake Facility Megan Echols (enFOLD Collective) Pfluger Circle Jamal Hussain Odom Pavilion Juan …
Hotel Occupancy Tax Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | November 17, 2025 Hotel Occupancy Tax – October 2025 Approved Budget Amended Budget H/MOT Penalties & Interest $511,252 $511,252 Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax $166,777,013 $166,777,013 Total Revenue $167,288,265 $167,288,265 Transfer to Cultural Arts Fund $15,968,425 $15,968,425 October w/ Encumb $39,883 $27,915, 677 $27,955,560 $2,669,756 Year-to-date w/Encumb $39,883 $27,915,677 $27,955,560 $2,669,756 • Total HOT Collections October 2025 = $27,915,677 • 17% of FY26 Approved Budget of $167,288,265 • Cultural Arts Fund October 2025 = $2,669,756 2 Hotel Occupancy Collections – Significant Contributing Events • Zilker Relays – September 5 • Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival – September 7 • Fall Pecan Street Festival – September 13-14 • Austin Museum Day – September 21 • Fantastic Fest – September 18-25 • HAAM Benefit Day – September 23 AUS Passenger Totals: 1,729,398 (September 2025) 3 HOT Cultural Arts Fund – FY26 4 Questions? 5
Cultural Arts Funding Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | November 17, 2025 Agenda 1. Contracts & Payments 2. Grant Funded Activities 2 Contracts & Payments Contracts & Payments (as of 11/10/25) FY24 Elevate FY24 Nexus (Spring/ Summer) FY25-26 Thrive (Year 1) FY25-26 Thrive (Year 2) Total Contracts Signed & Processed Contracts Test payments issued & verified Payment 1 Issued Payment 2 Issued Payment 3 Issued 230 230 (100%) 230 (100%) 230 (100%) 222 (97%) 81 (35%) 51 51 (100%) 51 (100%) 51 (100%) 50 (98%) n/a Total Dist. to date Total Allocation $8,537,000 (92%) $9,265,000 $245,000 (96%) $255,000 35 34 (97%) 34 (97%) 34 (97%) 32 (91%) 1 (3%) $3,318,500 (86%) See year 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A (N/A) $3,850,000 $3,850,000 4 Grant Funded Activities FY 24-25 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities Community Mosaic Workshop November 20 The Mosaic Workshop (District 1) – The Mosaic Workshop Country Western Memories November 20 Small Wonders Entertainment (District 5) – South Austin Senior Activity Center Caesar + Antony + Cleopatra November 20 – 22 Walking Shadow Shakespeare Project (District 4) – Dadalab A Doctor’s Visit November 20 – 22 Broad Theatre (District 3) – Hyde Park Theatre 6 FY 24-25 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities Brazil Soundscapes #4 November 21 Cultura Brasil Austin (District 6) – Cultura Brasil Austin Campfire Stories and Free Book Fair November 22 Austin Bat Cave (District 4) – Pease Park Sepideh Live in Austin November 22 Austin Iranian Professionals Association (District 10) – Central Library Special Events Center 7 FY 24-25 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities The Austin Powwow November 22 Great Promise for American Indians (District 9) – Travis County Expo Center World by Rana November 22 Studio 22 Productions (District 7) – The Belmont Keepsakes: An Anthology Publication Celebration November 23 After Violence Project (District 9) – Alienated Majesty Books 8 Questions? 9
Funding Programs Update Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | November 17, 2025 Re-Alignment in AACME ▪ Still Evolving! Transparency is key. ▪ Community response ▪ Unified Funding Goals ▪ Improved User Experience ▪ Optimization by Programmatic focus ▪ Grants ▪ HOT-funded City-wide cultural contracts ▪ Special funds Division Manager: Funding Nexus Cultural Arts Grants Elevate Thrive Musician / Promoter Live Music Venue Capital Projects Heritage Events ARPA Arts for All Live Music Fund Grants Heritage Preservation Grants Creative Space Assistance Program Special Projects UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts Austin Sister Cities International 2 Funding Programs: Guidelines ▪ Clearer definitions ▪ Clearer criteria ▪ Simplified processes ▪ More accessible resources across all programs ▪ Learn More: austintexas.gov/acme/grants-funding English Guidelines Spanish Guidelines 3 Funding Programs: Application Timeline 1. Intake Form 3. Application Form Must be completed by Lead Applicant Applications close at 6:59 p.m. Thursday, December 11, 2025 May only be completed once per applicant entity No paper or emailed applications will be accepted FS complete intake form for their organization's application ONLY • Sponsored Projects must complete intake form independent of their FS Select all grant programs you wish to apply All Eligibility Forms due by 6:59 p.m. Thursday, December 4, 2025 Must complete an Eligibility Form for Each Program they wish to apply Allow for up to 4-business days to receive access to application 2. Eligibility Form 4 Funding Programs: Overview Austin Live Music Fund • $5,000 - $70,000 • Music Industry (musicians, independent promoters, venues) Creative Space Assistance Program • $60,000 • Commercial creative spaces Elevate • Up to $30,000 - $80,000 • Arts organizations, individual artists, creative businesses Heritage Preservation Grant • $50,000 - $250,000 • Preservation projects and activities AACME is providing grant funding for activities that enrich the public, broaden tourism, and contribute to the cultural fabric of Austin. 5 Austin Live Music Fund Program Description: Encourages, promotes, improves, and showcases Austin’s diverse music industry. Award Amounts Applicant Award Amount Professional Musician & Independent Promoter $20,000 with 24-month Grant Agreement term Professional Musician & Independent Promoter $5,000 with 12-month Grant Agreement term Live Music Venue with at least a $60,000 operating budget $60,000 with 12-month Grant Agreement term Evaluation and Review: ▪ Multiple-Choice responses autoscored ▪ Evidence reviewed by third-party administrators 6 Creative Space Assistance Program Program Description: Supports commercial creative spaces facing displacement or new leases at higher and unaffordable rates. Eligible Applicants ▪ …
• Project: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Atrium Infill / Terminal Expansion Phase II – B • Artist(s): Josef Kristofoletti & Matthew Mazzotta • Phase: Final Design • Sponsoring Department: Austin Aviation • Project Budget: $1,000,000 • Council District: 2 • Project Manager: Alex Irrera ARTS COMMIS SION ME ETING AGE NDA ITEM DATE: NOVE MBE R 17, 2025 Aviation | Terminal Expansion Phase II - A, B, & C O R I G I N A L P R O J E C T S U M M A R Y - Terminal Expansion Project – 9 gate expansion of Barbara Jordan Terminal - 175,000 sq. feet, increasing number of gates to 34 - Grows airport capacity to 15 million passengers, increase of 36% - $570,000 total for Three Opportunities ($260,000 / $155,000 / $155,000) - Invitation-only Request for Qualifications to 2018-20 Pre-Qualified Local Artist Pool D E S I G N D E V E L O P M E N T T I M E L I N E o Fall 2022 – Artist Community Engagement & Concept Design Review o Spring 2023 – Final Design Review o Spring-Summer 2024 – Project Restart and Budget Increase Approval o Fall 2024 – Artist Community Engagement o Spring 2025 – Concept Design Review o Fall 2025 – Final Design Review o 2026 – Project Installation and Close-out THE NATURE OF SOUND An Artwork by Josef Kristofoletti and Matthew Mazzotta Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Final Design August 2025 "A birdsong can even, for a moment, make the whole world into a sky within us, because we feel that the bird does not distinguish between its heart and the world's" - Rainer Maria Rilke Artwork engineering/dimensions/views 10/16/25 10/16/25 ) y t i r a c l r o f d e g r a n e ( l i g n w a r d g n i r e e n g n e i ) y t i r a c l r o f d e g r a n e ( l i g n w a r d g n i r e e n g n e i m a e b - I , t r o p e r g n i r e e n g n e i Artwork narrative THE NATURE OF SOUND is an iconic new artwork designed specifically for the …
• Project: Northeast Service Center Garage Façade • Artist(s): TBD • Phase: Art Call (Invitational) • Sponsoring Department: Austin Resource Recovery & Austin Fleet Mobility Services • Project Budget: $1,800,000 • Council District: 1 • Project Manager: Rebecca Rende Arts Commission Meeting Agenda Item #10 Date:11/17/2025 NESC Project Overview Northeast Service Center: • Public Private Partnership (P3) • AFS: managing dept, Austin Public Facilities Corporation • New campus will consolidate services to one location • ARR: trash collection, recycling, composting, large brush collection and bulk items • AFMS: vehicle maintenance needs for City of Austin AIPP Participation: • First AIPP project within P3 delivery model • $3 million in Art Commissions • AIPP developed opportunities & budgets • Phased approach: Garage façade now, additional opportunities in 2026 NESC location: 8301 Johnny Morris Rd NESC Site & AIPP Opportunities North Campus: Austin Resource Recovery South Campus: Austin Fleet Mobility Services $1,800,000 Garage Façade Interior Hanging Artwork $ 300,000 $ 300,000 Cistern Murals x 2 Sculptures x 5 $ 600,000 Total AIPP Opportunities $3,000,000 NESC Garage Façade - Art Call Scope of Work: • Site-specific permanent artwork • Square feet: 7,500 • Kinetic artwork, if possible • Considerations • Users of the site • Public who visit the site • Pedestrian and vehicular traffic • Views from the interior of the garage • Day and night • Engage stakeholders and community Eligibility: • Texas-based established public artists • Ability to work with design teams, stakeholders and community Rendering: garage facing Jonny Morris Road NESC Garage Façade - Artist Selection Process November: Art Call • AIPP Panel & Arts Commission – Art Call approval • Identify selection panelists • Identify 5-7 invited public artists December: Artist Selection Panel • Identify 3 artists to invite to apply • Review applications • Artist interviews January: Artist Approval & Contracting • AIPP Panel & Arts Commission – Artist Selection Approval • City Council – Contract Approval • Artist Contracting NESC – Next Steps Garage Façade • AIPP Panel – Art Call approval • Arts Commission – Art Call approval • Identify selection panelists • Identify 5-7 invited public artists • Volunteer to sit on the Artist Selection Panel NESC Campus AIPP Projects • Coordination w/ sponsors and managing departments to develop art calls for additional AIPP opportunities Action needed to approve the Art Call
