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 May 18, 2026, 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 Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME), at jesus.varela@austintexas.gov or at 512-974-2444. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Gina Houston - Chair, Muna Hussaini - Vice Chair, Keyheira Keys, Monica Maldonado, Felipe Garza, Heidi Schmalbach, Kirtana Banskota, Bailey Pownall, 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 April 20, 2026 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on actions taken at the May 4th Art in Public Places Panel by Commissioner Schmalbach 3. Explore a Special Called joint meeting with the Music Commission STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing on Creative Reset Part 2 with Candice Cooper, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, ACME. 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 ACME Funding Programs by Laura Odegaard, Acting Division Manager, ACME. 8. Staff briefing regarding an update on Art in Public Places by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager. 9. Staff briefing regarding an update on ACME Museums and Cultural Facilities by Marjorie Flanagan, Division Manager or Michelle Rojas, Acting Division Manager. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 10. Discussion and possible action to approve possible collaboration with Coalition for Austin’s Arts & Spanish-Language Theatre for the expansion of the Latino Artist Access Program. 11. Establish a working group with the Arts Commission, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) Advisory Board, …
Arts Commission Briefing: The Creative Reset Phase 2 Austin Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment | May 18, 2026 ACME Facilities The Creative Reset Phase 2 ACME Facilities African American Cultural & Heritage Facility + Dedrick Hamilton House Asian American Resource Center Connelly-Yerwood “Pink” House Beverly S Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater Dougherty Arts Center Elisabet Ney Museum Emma S Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural & Genealogy Center Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex Montopolis Negro School O. Henry Museum Old Bakery & Emporium Susanna Dickinson Museum UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum 3 The Creative Reset Phase 2 Launched in October 2025 The Creative Reset Phase 2 Community-Centered Approach Reviewed Historical Data (2020-2025) Incorporated facility data received as part of Phase 1 Conducted Community Feedback Survey, Focus Groups, Open Houses, 1:1 and Jeffersonian Style Dinner. Research & Benchmarking Created Staff Vision Plans Performed Internal Assessments Streamline, Efficiency & Consistency Conducted Benchmarking 5 What We Heard: Top 8 Priorities Key Priorities for Austin’s Arts, Cultural & Museum Facilities Protect & Strengthen Community Assets Reduce Access Barriers Align Staffing Capacity with Demand Invest in Facilities Focus on Proven Programming Priorities Strengthen Communication & Community Engagement Balance Affordability & Sustainability Advance Systemwide Coordination 6 Virtual Focus Group Tuesday, May 19 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: https://zoom.us/j/98797374446 Wednesday, May 20 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: https://zoom.us/j/99201223652 Wednesday, May 20 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: https://zoom.us/j/93156310967 Take the survey: https://www.austintexas.gov/arts-culture/creative-reset Email us: acme@austintexas.gov 7 The Creative Reset Phase 2 Timeline October 2025 Kick-Off October- December 2025 • Conducted Outreach & Engagement • Collected Community Feedback January 2026 • Performed Internal Assessments • Analyzed Feedback February-March 2026 • Finalized Preliminary Data • Share with AACME Staff and City Leadership April-June 2026 July 2026 • Publish data • Gather Feedback at Boards, Commissions & Community Groups • Incorporate Feedback • Finalize Executive Report August 2026 • Publish Final Report 8 Next Steps The Creative Reset Phase 2 Next Steps Publish updated data on Public Input Host additional community engagement opportunities Analyze findings and develop recommendations Final report published in August 2026 Modified Timelines: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex Montopolis Negro School …
Hotel Occupancy Tax Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | May 18, 2026 Hotel Occupancy Tax – April 2026 H/MOT Penalties & Interest Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax Total Revenue Approved Budget $511,252 $166,777,013 $167,288,265 Transfer to Cultural Arts Fund $15,968,425 April $59,170 $37,613,046 $37,672,216 $3,598,544 Year-to-date $619,760 $118,296,373 $118,916,133 $11,357,339 • Total HOT Collections April 2026 = $37,672,216 • 71% of FY26 Approved Budget of $167,288,265 • Cultural Arts Fund April 2026 = $3,598,544 2 HOT Short-term Rentals (STR) $10.6 million collected so far in 2026 3 Hotel Occupancy Collections – Significant Contributing Events • SXSW • Rodeo Austin • MotoGP Grand Prix • Foodieland Food Festival AUS Passenger Totals: 1,972,346 (March 2026) 4 HOT Cultural Arts Fund – FY26 Progress Approved Budget $15,968,425 CAF Actuals $11,357,337 5 HOT Cultural Arts Fund – Quarterly Comparison $15.65 M $15.57 M $15.34 M $12.9 M 6 HOT Cultural Arts Fund – COVID Comparison 7 Questions? 8
Cultural Arts Funding Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | May 18, 2026 Agenda 1. Contracts & Payments 2. Grant Funded Activities 2 Contracts & Payments Contracts & Payments (as of 5/13/26) FY24 Elevate FY25 Nexus 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 229 229 (100%) 229 (100%) 229 (100%) 226 (99%) 205 (90%) 102 102 (100%) 102 (100%) 102 (100%) 54 (53%) n/a 35 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 33 (94%) 27 (77%) See year 1 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 9 (26%) N/A N/A Total Dist. to date Total Allocation $9,137,500 (99%) $9,265,000 $486,000 (95 %) $510,000 $3,610,000 (94%) $886,500 (23%) $3,850,000 $3,850,000 4 FY24 Final Report Status (as of 5/13/26) 24 of 229 Elevate Final Reports Incomplete (10%) • Deadline: January 31, 2026 • 8 not submitted • 1 extension • 11 need revisions • 1 returning unused funds • 2 leadership changes in Submittable • 1 deceased 5 Grant Funded Activities Cultural Funding Grantee Activities (VisitAustin) The Gourds May 19-20 Austin Theatre Alliance (District 9) – Paramount Theatre The REALLY BIG (and really small) Drink Show May 20-23 Sage Studio & Gallery (District 9) – Sage Studio & Gallery I Scream Social May 22 Host Publications (District 7) – Alienated Majesty Books 8 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities (VisitAustin) Timeless Comfort, Modern Witness May 22 Conspirare (District 1) – Bates Recital Hall Austin Bat Cave's Puppet Storytime and Book Faire May 23 Austin Bat Cave (District 4) – Festival Beach Food Forest Sunday Sessions May 24 Sunday Sessions ATX (MSA) – Waterloo Park Moody Ampitheatre 9 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities (VisitAustin) SACRED BALANCE: The Dance of Shiva and Shakti May 31 Austin Dance India (District 10) – Austin Hindu Temple Community Hall Inversion presents String Theory featuring Invoke May 22 Inversion Ensemble Inc (District 10) – dadaLab 15th Celebrando Salsa & Heritage Festival June 7 Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance (District 3) – Puerto Rican Cultural Center 10 Questions? 11
Art in Public Places Staff Briefings Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Arts Commission | May 18, 2026 AIPP Exhibition Open Calls austintexas.gov/AIPP People’s Gallery at City Hall 301 W. 2nd St. Austin, TX 78701 Exhibition will run October 2026 – May 2028 Changing Exhibits at AUS airport 3600 Presidential Blvd, Austin, TX 78719 12 galleries Exhibition will run January 2027 – December 2027 No submission fees. Applications close May 31 June 14, 2026 acme@austintexas.gov AIPP Coordinators – Jieun Beth Kim & Brittany Heinchon 2 AIPP-AUS Tunnel Community engagement by artist Saya Woolfalk Panel Discussion Saturday, May 30, 2026 11:00am – 12:30pm Women And Their Work 1311 E. Cesar Chavez St Austin TX 78702 Workshop series Asian American Resource Center bit.ly/AARCEventbrite AIPP Coordinator – Alex Irrera 3 Parque Zaragoza Bathhouse (left panel) Brown Birds & (right panel) Grackle by artist Samson Barboza Bathhouse ribbon cutting and Artwork celebration Wednesday, June 10, 2026 10:00am 2611 Webberville Rd. Austin, TX 78702 AIPP Coordinator – Ryan Runcie 4 AIPP Resolution No. 20250306-029 5 AIPP Resolution No. 20250306-029 Next Steps & Timeline • Align Ordinance and Guidelines (May-June) o Include feedback from City partners and AIPP Panel o CMO, LAW, and Budget review • Ordinance Approvals o Economic Opportunities Committee o Art in Public Places Panel o Arts Commission o City Council Meeting o AIPP Guidelines Approvals July 31 August 3 August 17 August 27 September 6
Draft: Art Commission Letter to City Council [Date] Mayor Kirk Watson and Members of the Austin City Council City of Austin Austin, Texas Dear Mayor Watson and Council Members, On behalf of the City of Austin’s Arts Commission, we respectfully submit this letter in support of a recommended FY2027 budget increase of $515,000 for the Latino Artist Access Program (LAAP) at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB- MACC). LAAP has played an important role in expanding access to ESB-MACC facilities for Latino and Spanish-language performing artists. The program supports artists through space access, technical assistance, professional development opportunities, and connections to broader City cultural resources. As demand for performance-based programming continues to grow, the Arts Commission recognizes the opportunity to strengthen LAAP’s capacity to deliver more consistent, sustainable, and equitable outcomes for participating artists. • The recommended funding increase would support: • Additional dedicated technical capacity to support rehearsals and performances without overextending existing sta(cid:431) • Essential lighting and sound infrastructure upgrades to the Auditorium and Black Box spaces • Centralized marketing and audience development support for LAAP programming • A modest expansion of the LAAP program budget to serve additional artists and groups These investments would allow ESB-MACC to build on existing strengths and further align LAAP with an incubator-style model that supports artist development, production readiness, and long-term sustainability—particularly for Spanish-language performing arts. As the City’s designated body for arts and cultural policy and funding recommendations, the Arts Commission views this investment as a strategic opportunity to advance cultural equity, strengthen Austin’s creative ecosystem, and support the continued growth of Latino performing arts in our community. This recommendation is also aligned with broader e(cid:431)orts to ensure that City-supported cultural programs are adequately resourced to meet community demand. We respectfully recommend that City Council consider this funding as part of the FY2027 budget process. Thank you for your continued support of arts, culture, and the diverse communities served by ESB-MACC. Sincerely, Chair City of Austin’s Arts Commission On behalf of the City of Austin Arts Commission
LAAP FY2027 Budget Request — Summary of Proposed Investments Purpose This one-page summary provides additional detail on the proposed $515,000 FY2027 budget increase for the Latino Artist Access Program (LAAP), based on cost ranges and role classifications provided by City sta(cid:431). The proposed investments build on existing MACC operations to strengthen consistency, capacity, and sustainability for performance- based programming. 1. Dedicated Technical Support (Ongoing) — $87,000 To adequately support rehearsals, performances, and participant needs without overextending existing sta(cid:431), this proposal assumes the addition of one dedicated full- time position. • Proposed role: IT Support Specialist (City job classification) • Function: o Support rehearsals and live performances o Coordinate lighting and sound setup o Troubleshoot technical issues o Orient artists to MACC systems and spaces • Annual cost: ~$87,000 (ongoing) This investment supports production readiness while reducing strain on current MACC sta(cid:431). 2. Lighting and Sound Infrastructure Upgrades (One-Time) — ~$300,000 Performance-based programs consistently encounter baseline lighting limitations in the Auditorium. • As part of the originally proposed MACC Phase 2 project, full upgrades to the Auditorium and Black Box lighting and sound systems were estimated in 2022 at approximately $300,000. • Scope includes: o Transition to fully integrated, state-of-the-art LED lighting o o Reduced maintenance and long-term operational burden Improved programmability and reliability This investment addresses recurring production constraints and supports scalable, professional-quality programming. 3. Centralized Marketing & Audience Development Support (Ongoing) — $78,000 This proposal includes dedicated capacity for more intentional, centralized promotion and audience development for LAAP programming. • Proposed role: Culture and Arts Education Specialist 1 of 2 • Function: o Coordinate promotion across MACC platforms o Support audience development strategies o Provide marketing templates and guidance to artists o Prioritize Spanish-language outreach • Annual cost: ~$78,000 (ongoing) This role would complement existing marketing sta(cid:431) and reduce reliance on artists to self- promote without institutional support. 4. LAAP Program Budget Expansion (Ongoing) — $50,000 • Current annual LAAP program budget: ~$90,000 • Current capacity: Approximately 11–15 artists/groups per year, depending on discipline Typical cohort mix supported by the current budget: • 2–3 theater groups • 3 dance artists/groups • 3 musicians • 3 multidisciplinary artists • Proposed increase: $50,000 • Resulting capacity: Approximately 20 artists/groups per year This modest expansion allows LAAP to serve more artists while aligning program scale with the proposed sta(cid:431)ing and infrastructure investments. Total Proposed FY2027 Budget Increase • Ongoing investments: o Technical …
Armadillo Water Tank Final Design Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | May 4th, 2026 Armadillo Water Tank Project Phase Final design Artist(s) Name Bill Tavis Art Commission $225k Funding Type Sponsor Funded Sponsor Dept Austin Water Council District 2 Map – where project is located within Austin 910 Armadillo Road, Austin, TX 78745 Project Overview The City of Austin purchased the parkland that is now Armadillo Park in 1986 and through the support and advocacy of the surrounding neighborhood and community, the park was completed in 2014. Armadillo Park provides a natural outlet for recreation and community building. Near the park is a storage tank owned by Austin Water, the City’s water and wastewater utility, that is no longer in service and provides an opportunity to display public art that reflects Austin's identity and the history and importance of the Armadillo neighborhood. In 2023, Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20230816-015 directing Austin Water to explore the feasibility of placing a mural on the Armadillo Park water storage tank. Austin Water has evaluated its water storage tank and agrees that it provides an opportunity to display public art for the community and its customers. 3 Project Goals A work of art of redeeming quality that advances public understanding of visual art and enhances the aesthetic quality of public places in relation to Armadillo Park and its community Conceptualizes a strong overall artwork design approach for all ages that integrates with the site and reflects the corresponding feelings around the surrounding natural environment Celebrates the historical fabric of South Austin, including the legacy of the Armadillo World Headquarters and the vibrant spirit of music, art, and creativity that defined the area and helped shape Austin's cultural identity Is permanent with an expected life span of at least 20 years Is easily maintained and vandal resistant in an exterior environment 4 Armadillo Water Tank – Scope of Work Scope of Work: • Engage with community to understand the context and vision of the mural • Carefully plan and design the mural to incorporate community engagement • Paint and seal the mural on the water tank Eligibility: Experience creating 2-dimensional permanent artwork in materials suitable for exterior environments Austin-based visual artists who reside in the seven counties bounding the Austin metro area (Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet, and …
Airport Blvd Corridor NWSE project Final Design Artist Liza Fishbone Item #6 Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | 4.30.2025 Airport Blvd Corridor NWSE – C5 section Project Phase Designing (Final) Artist(s) Name Liza Fishbone Art Commission 200,000 (C5 Section = $120,000) Funding Type CIP project Sponsor Dept TPW Council District 3 Project locations (address) 2 Project Overview Project Overview: • Located at Shady Lane and Bolm Road within newly created triangular greenspace • Artwork integrates large-scale sculptural form with public seating elements inspired by monk parakeet nesting behavior Project Goals: • • Support Corridor Construction Program mobility and pedestrian improvements • Create a landmark gateway element along Airport Boulevard • Provide functional seating and gathering space requested through community engagement • Deliver a work of redeeming quality that enhances public space and corridor identity 3 AIPP C5: Artwork at the intersection of Airport Blvd, Shady Ln, & Bolm, Rd. Creator | Sneaky Planet Studios World Building • Fantasy Murals • Immersive Art • Imaginary Friends www.lizafishbone.com @lizafishbone Responses to survey question C5: SE INSPIRATION Interesting places to sit Concept: Oversized Monk Parakeet Sculpture & Seating Inspired by the desire for a place to sit, pause and commune, these will be designed to be both artistic and functional. Monk parakeets are one of the only parakeets to build communal nests with “apartments.” Other animals (birds, squirrels) will occasionally take up residence alongside the parakeets, cohabitating in harmony. Mockups C5: SE Locations Monk Parakeet Sculpture placed in sunken green for people to commune (blue dashed oval indicates location) Shady Ln Bolm Rd Locations Shady LnBolm Rd C5: SE MOCKUPS "Monk Parakeets SE" (name tbd) is a singular oversized monk parakeet sculpture placed in the pocket park where Shady, Bolm and Airport intersect. The sculptures will incorporate seating elements, allowing visitors to rest under the shade of the parakeets’ wings. Shadows cast by the wings will shift throughout the day, creating a dynamic interplay of light and space Mockups FABRICATION, INSTALLATION: ART SEEN ALLIANCE www.artseenalliance.com | info@artseenalliance.com Lead Fabricator: Van Zinsmeyer | van@artseenalliance.com| (512) 718-5088 3D Modeler/Designer: Ian McKinney | ian@artseenalliance.com CHAIRS: CONCRETTI www.concretti.com | info@concrettidesigns.com | (702) 444-7711 PAINTING & FINISHING: (artist) LIZA FISHBONE | SNEAKY PLANET STUDIOS ENGINEERING: R.L.W.A. Engineers Renate' Woods | rwoods@rlwaengineers.com MATERIALS AND FABRICATION NEXT PAGE MATERIAL OUTLINE The body of the parakeet sculpture will be primarily welded from hot rolled steel. The posts …
To: Austin Arts Commission From: Art in Public Places (AIPP) Panel Ordinance Working Group Re: Recommendation Regarding Proposed Updates to the Art in Public Places Ordinance The AIPP Panel recommends that the Arts Commission reaffirm its unanimous April vote and decline to advance the proposed updates to the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Ordinance at this time. Our review of the proposed changes has occurred alongside ongoing requests for clarification regarding how the 2% for art requirement has been historically calculated across City capital projects. Those requests remain unresolved. While supplemental materials were shared on May 8, 2026, they were limited in scope and did not provide the level of clarity or completeness necessary to evaluate either past compliance or the impact of the proposed revisions. Based on the information provided to date, the panel has identified significant discrepancies and cannot verify consistent adherence to the 2002 ordinance. Advancing amendments under these conditions risks formalizing practices that may be inconsistent with the ordinance’s original intent. Below is the panel’s rationale for recommending against adoption at this time: 1. Incomplete and Unreconciled Financial Documentation City staff acknowledged that historical calculation materials do not fully reconcile and that discrepancies have been flagged but not resolved. The panel has not received comprehensive, project-level data demonstrating how AIPP allocations have been calculated over time. Materials provided to date include only a limited number of recent examples and do not include a clear, side-by-side comparison of: the calculation method as defined in the 2002 ordinance, • • how it has been applied in practice, and • how it would change under the proposed revisions. Without this information, the panel cannot assess compliance or the fiscal impact of the proposed changes. 2. Need for an Independent Audit The panel continues to request an independent audit of AIPP funding. Preliminary materials suggest a meaningful gap between expected and actual allocations. Establishing a verified baseline is essential before modifying the ordinance. Proceeding without this step risks codifying discrepancies rather than correcting them. 3. Early Integration of Public Art Is Required and Undermined by Current Practice The 2002 ordinance requires that AIPP be incorporated as early as possible in project planning. Best practices in capital development similarly recognize public art as most effective when integrated at the outset. Delayed or inconsistent inclusion diminishes the quality, relevance, and public value of the work, and undermines the ordinance’s stated intent. 4. …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Arts Commission Recommendation Number: 20260518-14: Recommendation to Decline Proposed Updates to the Art in Public Places Ordinance Date of Approval: May 18, 2026 Recommendation Given the unresolved discrepancies in funding calculations, the absence of complete and verifiable financial data, and the risk that the proposed changes would weaken the program’s funding structure, the Arts Commission recommends that the City Council decline to support the proposed ordinance amendments at this time. We further recommend that the City: • Complete a transparent, independent audit of historical AIPP calculations • Provide full documentation demonstrating compliance with the existing ordinance • Reaffirm AIPP as a required and early-integrated component of capital project planning Only after these steps are completed should substantive revisions to the ordinance be considered. Rationale 1. Incomplete and Unreconciled Financial Documentation City staff acknowledged that historical calculation materials do not fully reconcile and that discrepancies have been flagged but not resolved. The panel has not received comprehensive, project-level data demonstrating how AIPP allocations have been calculated over time. Materials provided to date include only a limited number of recent examples and do not include a clear, side-by-side comparison of: the calculation method as defined in the 2002 ordinance, • • how it has been applied in practice, and • how it would change under the proposed revisions. Without this information, the panel cannot assess compliance or the fiscal impact of the proposed changes. 2. Need for an Independent Audit The panel continues to request an independent audit of AIPP funding. Preliminary materials suggest a meaningful gap between expected and actual allocations. Establishing a verified baseline is essential before modifying the ordinance. Proceeding without this step risks codifying discrepancies rather than correcting them. 3. Early Integration of Public Art Is Required and Undermined by Current Practice The 2002 ordinance requires that AIPP be incorporated as early as possible in project planning. Best practices in capital development similarly recognize public art as most effective when integrated at the outset. Delayed or inconsistent inclusion diminishes the quality, relevance, and public value of the work, and undermines the ordinance’s stated intent. 1 of 2 4. Public Art Is a Core Capital Cost, Not a Discretionary Add-On Public art is not an optional enhancement layered onto a project after core costs are established. The 2002 ordinance defines AIPP as an integral component of capital project delivery. Like architecture, engineering, and environmental mitigation, it …
Funding Programs Update Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | May 18, 2026 Awardee Status (as of 5/18/26) Program Total Awardees Pre-Agreement Not Submitted Pre-Agreements Submitted- Need Revisions Pre- Agreements Approved (Contracting Phase w/ TLC) Payment Phase ALMF Elevate CSAP HPG TOTAL 396 277 22 22 717 4 10 2 0 16 5 58 1 12 76 96 80 19 10 205 291 128 0 0 420 2 Funding Disbursement Status (as of 5/18/26) Program Total Awardees Total Funds # of Awardees Paid % of Awardees Paid $ of funds disbursed % of funds disbursed ALMF Elevate CSAP HPG 396 277 22 22 $7,045,000 $12,616,773 $1,320,000 $3,000,274 292 128 0 0 74% $2,795,000.00 46% $2,735,615.50 0% 0% $0 $0 40% 22% 0% 0% TOTAL 717 $23,982,047 420 59% $5,530,615.15 23% 3 Survey Results ▪ 360-degree perspective ▪ Panelist Reviewer Experience (68 responses) ▪ Application Experience Survey (152 responses) ▪ Commissioner Perspectives Survey (6 responses) ▪ The goal was to understand: ▪ Was the application design accessible/ clear? ▪ Did support systems and communications meet community needs? ▪ Was scoring/ panel processes consistent and understandable? ▪ What improvements should be prioritized ahead of the July 7th launch? ▪ Overall: The content of the programs is strong, but the experience of navigating them needs clearer structure, better tools, and more intentional support. 4 Major Themes – Applicant Experience Streamline and Simplify the Three- Step Process Improve Email Communication (Clarity, Consistency, Tone) Improve Deadline Communication Reduce Documentation Burden and Repetitive Requirements Clarify Eligibility Rules Improve Instructions for Attachments, Budget Tables, and Technical Fields Expand Support Options and Increase Availability Address Language Access Gaps Improve Marketing and Awareness Make Application Questions More Relevant, Less Redundant Improve Tech Reliability Provide Transparency About Review Process Responses came from: 78 ALMF, 57 Elevate, 22 CSAP, 18 HPG Applicants 5 Major Themes – Commissioner Perspective Provide Clearer Eligibility Guidance Upfront Simplify or Better Explain the Three- Step Process Strengthen Reviewer Training Improve Deadline & Timeline Clarity Increase Marketing & Public Awareness Expand & Better Advertise Assistance Resources Improve Technical Reliability & Reduce Upload Difficulties Increase Transparency of Scoring Clarify the Role of the Third-Party Administrator Improve System Accessibility & Language Access Responses came from: 5 Music Commissioners, 1 Arts Commissioner 6 Major Themes – Panelists Better Training More Consistent, Clearer, Centralized Communication Improve Submittable User Experience Reduce/ Right-Size Workload Panel Day lacked purpose Adjust Structure of Applications Strengthen Bias …
