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 December 15, 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 November 17, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on actions taken at the December 1st Art in Public Places Panel by Commissioner Schmalbach 3. Update on actions taken at the November 19th Downtown Commission meeting by Commissioner Houston 4. Discussion and possible recommendations to Spanish language contracts for Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) grants 5. Discussion on creating technical workshops at Cultural Centers STAFF BRIEFINGS 6. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Hotel Occupancy Tax by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. 7. Staff briefing regarding update on the Cultural Arts Funding Programs by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. 8. Staff briefing regarding an update on the AACME Funding Programs by Laura Odegaard, Acting Division Manager, AACME. 9. Staff briefing regarding an update on Art in Public Places by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 10. Approve a recommendation to support of Rally Austin 2026 Bond Proposal. 11. Approve a recommendation to City Council for recommended updates to the Art in Public Places Ordinance, Guidelines and Policies per City Council Resolution No. 20250306-029. Presentation by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment 12. Action to reconvene the selection panel to recommend …
Recommended Updates to AIPP Policies Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | 12/15/2025 How’d we get here? Fall 2024 Interest from AIPP Panel to review Guidelines January 13, 2025 AIPP Panel approves Airport Phase I Artist Selections January 14, 2025 Panel Retreat Establish Guidelines Working Group January 30, 2025 City Council approved Convention Center Deaccessions February 2025 Austin Airport Artist Selections RCA pulled from Council agenda February 4, 2025 Past Matters starts Collection Survey February 24, 2025 February 24, 2025 Office of Arts, Culture, Music Office of Arts, Culture, & Entertainment created Music & Entertainment created March 6, 2025 City Council Resolution to assess the AIPP Ordinance & Guidelines April 7, 2025 AIPP Panel approves Airport Phase II Artist Selection March 2025 ACME leadership, City Manager, & City Council explore options to save artworks at Convention Center April 22, 2025 Artworks removed from Convention Center May 21, 2025 ACME Creative Reset launches June 5, 2025 City Council item to approve Airport Phase I and Phase II Artist Selections 2 Resolution No. 20250306-029 Phase 1 (March – May) Resolution + Program Assessment • Historical Data Benchmarking • Reviewed current polices, • contracts, programs Redlined current policies Reviewed program needs • • Targeted focus groups AIPP Panel Guidelines WG Themes Local artist participation Lack of understand of % for Art program Recommendations Update policies for clarity + inclusion Update communications + marketing for transparency + education Explore resources for artists • • • • • T N E M S S E S S A T N E M E G A G N E + S E M E H T S N O I T A D N E M M O C E R Phase 2 (June – August) Council Status Update Resolution • • Establish Cross-departmental WG + action plan for implementation Review draft Ordinance, Guidelines, and policies recommendations • Needs assessment plan + feasibility study UT Landmarks benchmarking ACME Leadership Updates Targeted focus groups Stakeholder internal + external Themes Lack of understand of % for Art program Artist support Recommendations Transparency of process Process flow chart Resources for artists • • • • • • • • Phase 3 (Sept-Dec) Policies Adoption Cross-departmental working group finalizes recommendations LAW Review • CMO + Director Updates • • Ordinance Adoption (Council) • Guidelines and policy updates (Panel + Commission) • • • • • Programmatic Updates …
ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Date: December 15, 2025 Subject: Recommendation that Legal be instructed to translate Cultural Contracts into the language used on the Application for Funding. Motioned By: Commissioner Houston Seconded By: Commissioner Recommendation Council instruct City Legal Department to issue Cultural Contracts in the language most familiar to the contractor; the language used in the Application for funding. Rationale Austin Artist must be able to fully and completely understand their rights and their obligations to the City under any contract they sign. Recent efforts by third parties to translate the Cultural Funding Contracts into Spanish have resulted in errors, such as the use of the word ‘financiamento’ when there is no financing component to any of the contracts. The City has the capability to translate contracts to ensure complete and thorough understanding. It is disingenuous to offer the Application in another language and then expect the Applicant to understand a contract that is not translated into that same language. Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: 1 of
Proposed Motion for Resolution: Support of Rally Austin’s 2026 Bond Proposal Motion: I move that the Austin Music Commission recommend that the City Council support Rally Austin’s “Keep Austin Ours” 2026 Bond Proposal for $259 Million, recognizing the organization’s ability to leverage public, private, and philanthropic resources to preserve Austin’s cultural and creative identity while reducing the City’s long-term financial burden. Further, I move that the Commission recommend City Council receive a formal briefing from Rally Austin to consider how its multi-purpose local government corporation model can: • Implement programs that secure a(cid:431)ordable creative and cultural, residential and commercial spaces; • Expand the Austin Cultural Trust and related initiatives supporting music and arts venues; • Reduce risk and administrative burden to the City through independent, community- driven project delivery; and • Strengthen Austin’s long-term economic and cultural resilience by investing in local, iconic, legacy and irreplaceable assets. The Commission a(cid:431)irms that Rally Austin’s proposal aligns with the City’s goals for equitable, community-based development and represents a proactive opportunity to secure Austin’s creative and cultural future through the 2026 Bond Program. CITY OF AUSTIN MUSIC COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2025-_____: SUPPORTING RALLY AUSTIN’S “KEEP AUSTIN OURS” 2026 BOND PROPOSAL WHEREAS, Austin’s cultural, creative, and music sectors are foundational to the city’s identity and economy, contributing over $1.8 billion in annual economic activity and supporting thousands of local jobs; and WHEREAS, the loss of a(cid:431)ordable creative, cultural, and commercial spaces poses a critical threat to Austin’s local music venues, legacy businesses, and community-serving organizations; and WHEREAS, Rally Austin, the City’s first multi-purpose local government corporation, was created by Austin City Council in 2020 to facilitate equitable, community-driven development and deliver projects that generate public benefit while leveraging public, private, and philanthropic resources; and WHEREAS, the Keep Austin Ours 2026 Bond Proposal presented by Rally Austin outlines comprehensive strategies for securing cultural, residential and commercial a(cid:431)ordability, including property acquisition, improvement programs, and expansion of the Austin Cultural Trust; and lease stabilization, capital long-term WHEREAS, Rally Austin’s model reduces long-term fiscal risk and administrative burden to the City by independently managing complex real estate and development projects while advancing Council priorities for equity, sustainability, and cultural preservation; and WHEREAS, supporting community-based economic development through the 2026 Bond Program aligns with the Music Commission’s commitment to strengthening Austin’s music ecosystem and ensuring creative and cultural spaces remain accessible to all residents; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED …
KEEP AUSTIN OURS! 2026 City of Austin Bond Proposal THINK BIG & COLLABORATIVE Rally Austin is the first multi-purpose local government corporation, requested by the community and created by the Austin City Council in October 2020 ▪ Community driven, Equity focused ▪ Designed to be agile, mission-driven, collaborative and flexible ▪ Bring new financial tools and resources to the table and generate consistent revenues ▪ Professional approach to community investment and project delivery 2 MISSION Facilitating equitable development for economic growth while preserving Austin's unique culture. VISION A culturally resilient and economically integrated Austin where diverse communities thrive without risk of displacement. Leading investments in our community, as a community Rally will focus its efforts to unite and drive progress across three critical areas of development in Central Texas: ARTS, MUSIC & CULTURE COMPLETE COMMUNITIES CATALYTIC DEVELOPMENT 3 OUR COMMUNITY AT WORK Board of Directors Collaboration of community leaders and nominating bodies who represent local organizations and asset holders. WHO WE ARE 4 ACTIVE COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS Real estate projects valued at approximately $160M, securing an estimated 293,000 square feet of affordable space: ▪ 180,000 SF Affordable housing ▪ 86,000 SF Cultural spaces ▪ 14,000 SF Commercial spaces ▪ 13,000 SF Outdoor and shared spaces Collective economic impact projected between $320 to $400M, also providing community benefits: ▪ Job creation and tax revenues ▪ Property value increases ▪ Tourism and cultural preservation ▪ Soul and vitality OUR RALLY FOR COMPLETE COMMUNITIES OUR RALLY FOR ARTS, MUSIC & CULTURE OUR RALLY FOR CATALYTIC DEVELOPMENT Mixed-use development Seven real estate Rally moves large-scale, for Blocks 16 & 18 on development projects multi-million-dollar East 11th Street in the valued at $37.5M with an development and African American estimated $75M-$94M infrastructure projects Cultural Heritage District, return on investment. and serves as a flexible building thriving small This area of focus has bridge between public, businesses, cultural led to the successful private, and community anchors and affordable negotiation of a new 20- interests to unlock housing. With a current year lease for historic diverse funding sources project value estimated music venue The Hole in and deliver value and at $128M, and an the Wall and several benefits for all partners. estimated impact of other arts and culture $256-320M. venues. 5 RALLY AUSTIN PROPOSED 2026 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT BOND ▪ Overview of Process ▪ Problem Statement ▪ Proposed Solutions ▪ Rally’s Approach ▪ Invest in Our Identity: Keep …
Funding Programs Update Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | December 15, 2025 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. 2 AACME Funding Programs: Extension NEW DEADLINE: December 19th at 6:59 p.m. WHY? ▪ New funding process for our community. ▪ Applicants who submitted their intake forms on time have adequate support and time to complete a brand-new process. ▪ Commitment to accessibility, equity, and meeting the community where they are. 3 REVISED Application Timeline 1. Intake Form Deadline: 6:59 p.m. Thursday, December 4, 2025 2. Eligibility Form Due by 6:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2025 (includes any edits!) 3. Application Due by 6:59 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2025 (includes any edits!) 4 REVISED Funding Program Timeline December 19, 2025 February 2026 April 2026 REVISED Application Deadline REVISED Panel Meetings Occur 6:59 PM REVISED Funding distribution begins (Activities are still for calendar year 2026) REVISED Austin Live Music Fund and Creative Space Assistance Program scored REVISED Panelists trained and assigned (Elevate and Heritage Preservation Grant) REVISED Funding Decisions announced Nexus Application Opens Thrive, Elevate, Austin Live Music Fund, and Heritage Preservation Grant application cycle begins January 2026 March 2026 July 2026 5 Funding Programs: Application Status • 2,364 Intake Forms Submitted (2,333 EN; 31 SP) Eligibility Forms Sent Eligibility Forms Submitted Applications Sent Applications Submitted Austin Live Music Fund Creative Space Assistance Elevate Heritage Preservation EN SP EN SP EN SP EN SP 1,377 1,057 16 297 10 5 125 0 1,399 1,002 25 247 2 14 116 0 951 4 59 0 818 9 65 0 577 1 33 0 395 2 30 0 ALL PROGRAMS TOTAL 3,373 2,319 1,906 1,038 6 Funding Programs: Application Comparison NOTE: NOT FINAL DUE TO EXTENSION ▪ 2,319 Eligibility Forms Submitted ▪ 1,062 for Austin Live Music Fund (17.5% Increase from 2024) ▪ 125 for Creative Space Assistance Program (17.8% decrease from 2023) ▪ 1,016 for Elevate (83% increase from 2024) ▪ 116 for Heritage Preservation Grant (427% increase from 2024) ▪ Roughly 81% of submitted …
Cultural Arts Funding Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | December 15, 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%) 224 (97%) 97 (42%) 51 51 (100%) 51 (100%) 51 (100%) 50 (98%) n/a Total Dist. to date Total Allocation $8,635,000 (93%) $9,265,000 $245,000 (96%) $255,000 35 35 (100%) 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 Allday Pizza x Getting in Bed with the Pizza Man December 15 Katie Folger (District 9) – Allday Pizza We Are The Chorus Holiday Sign-Along December 15 Armstrong Community Music School (District 8) – Violet Crown City Church The Weight of Rest December 16 Jessy Wilson (District 1) – 2032B S Lamar Blvd Veneno Film Screening December 16 Oro Dance Company (District 1) – Trinity Street Playhouse 6 FY 24-25 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities Parade December 4 – 20 Ground Floor Theatre (District 3) – Ground Floor Theatre The Summer Sauron Turned Pretty December 18 – 20 The Museum of Human Achievement (MoHA) (District 3) – MoHA Red Light Lit Austin December 19 Red Light Lit Austin (District 1) – RichesArt Gallery Allgo 40th Anniversary December 16 allgo (District 1) – Vibehaus ATX 7 FY 24-25 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS? December 4 – 20 Lauren Sanders (District 1) – Ground Floor Theatre Mobile Echo Artist Workshop Tuesdays and Thursdays through December 30 Urban Echo (District 1) – MoHA Bilingual Dinosaurs! January 24 augzoo (District 1) – Carver Museum Boyd Vance Theatre 8 Questions? 9
Hotel Occupancy Tax Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | December 15, 2025 Hotel Occupancy Tax – November 2025 Approved Budget November Year-to-date H/MOT Penalties & Interest Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax Total Revenue $511,252 $166,777,013 $167,288,265 Transfer to Cultural Arts Fund $15,968,425 $107,002 $6,452,814 $6,559,815 $627,810 $146,884 $34,368,491 $34,515,375 $3,297,566 • Total HOT Collections November 2025 = $6,559,815 • 21% of FY26 Approved Budget of $167,288,265 • Cultural Arts Fund November 2025 = $627,810 2 Hotel Occupancy Collections – Significant Contributing Events • Austin City Limits Music Festival (Oct 3-5, Oct 10-12) • Austin Oktoberfest (October 11) • Formula 1 Unites States Grant Prix at Circuit of the Americas (October 17-19) • Austin Film Festival (October 23 – 30) AUS Passenger Totals: 2,086,037 (October 2025) 3 HOT Cultural Arts Fund – FY26 Progress Approved Budget $15,968,425 CAF Actuals $3,297,566 4 HOT Cultural Arts Fund – Quarterly Comparison $15.65 M $15.57 M $15.34 M $12.9 M 5 Questions? 6
