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 July 20, 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 June 15, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on actions taken at the July 6th Art in Public Places Panel by Commissioner Schmalbach. 3. Update on actions taken at the July 15th Downtown Commission meeting by Commissioner Houston. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing on Fiscal Sponsorships and ACME Staff Conflict of Interest policy by Morgan Messick, ACME Assistant Director, and Laura Odegaard, ACME Acting Division Manager. 5. Staff briefing on ACME Strategic plan by Candice Cooper, ACME Interim Chief Administrative Officer, and Marjorie Flanagan, ACME Division Manager, Cultural Education & Programs. 6. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Hotel Occupancy Tax by Jesús Pantel, ACME Cultural Funding Supervisor. 7. Staff briefing regarding update on the Cultural Arts Funding Programs by Jesús Pantel, ACME Cultural Funding Supervisor. 8. Staff briefing regarding an update on the ACME Funding Programs by Laura Odegaard, ACME Acting Division Manager. 9. Staff briefing regarding an update on Art in Public Places by Jaime Castillo, ACME Art in Public Places Manager. 10. Staff briefing regarding an update on ACME Museums and Cultural Facilities by Guiniviere Webb, Culture & Arts Program Manager, Dougherty Arts Center and Zilker Hillside Theater. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS …
Fiscal Sponsorship & Conflict of Interest Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | July 20, 2026 Purpose of Today’s Briefing Fiscal Sponsorship in ACME Grant Funding Review staff, Law, and Auditor findings Conflict of Interest rules Appropriate Reporting Processes 2 Fiscal Sponsorship ACME Guidelines ▪ Fiscal Sponsor: A Fiscal Sponsor is a nonprofit organization with a 501(c) tax-exempt status that applies for financial support on behalf of another organization or individual, allowing the sponsored project to benefit from the sponsor’s tax-exempt status. A Fiscal Sponsor manages financial transactions and reporting responsibilities for the Sponsored Project. Please note that all Fiscal Sponsors must be headquartered in Austin and are responsible for ensuring that all funding is used for tax-exempt, charitable purposes as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. (page 40 of ACME Funding Guidelines) ▪ Sponsored Project: The individual or group that is under the umbrella of a Fiscal Sponsor, which is a 501(c) organization. (page 43 of ACME Funding Guidelines) ▪ Applicants may apply with a Fiscal Sponsor for the Elevate and Nexus funding programs. 4 Create Austin Resources ▪ A Fiscal Sponsor is a 501(c) organization that provides support to projects that lack nonprofit status. ▪ The Fiscal Sponsor handles financial transactions and supports reporting duties on behalf of the Sponsored Project. ▪ A single Fiscal Sponsor may sponsor multiple Sponsored Projects during each grant cycle. 5 Create Austin Resources Cont. *This resource collection provides non-exhaustive information on fiscal sponsorship practice. It is not a requirement to follow but references some forms of fiscal sponsorship and best practices to consider. 6 Sponsorship Agreement (required for application) 7 Fiscal Sponsorship Eligibility Review ▪ Sponsored Project starts and completes application as “lead applicant” ▪ Award type/ request amount is what the Sponsored Project is eligible for (i.e. $15,000) not what the Fiscal Sponsor might be eligible for (i.e. $50,000) ▪ Fiscal Sponsor becomes “owner” of the Sponsored Project account if SP is awarded ▪ Fiscal Sponsorship Requirements include: ▪ 501(c) status located in Austin or ETJ ▪ Salaried Executive Director ▪ In existence for ▪ At least 1 year with $50,000 operating budget, OR ▪ At least 5 years and have at least a $35,000 operating budget 8 Application Eligibility Review ▪ How does the Eligibility Review happen? ▪ Eligibility Review Form in Submittable ▪ Filled out for every application ▪ The Form includes verifying ▪ Application answers ▪ Uploads ▪ IRS …
ACME Strategic Plan Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment July 2026 The Creative Reset > ACME Strategic Plan VISION Where Culture, Creativity, and Community Thrive 3 Mission We serve Austin by investing in creative people, cultural spaces, programs, and partnerships that expand access, strengthen community, and celebrate our city’s diverse cultural identity. 4 Framework for success Strategic Outcomes • Cultivate Access & Belonging • Invest in Cultural Spaces • Advance Creative Careers • Celebrate Vibrant Cultural Experiences • Curate Strategic Partnerships 6 Investment Priorities • Cultural and Community Assets • Direct Funding • Artist and Organizational Support • Community Access and Experience Delivery • Creative Ecosystem Leadership 7 Citywide goals and targets • Percent of participants who indicated the program / activity / visit enhanced their connection to art culture music entertainment or history • Percent of participants engaging with ACME programs and services for the first time • Number of public art collection pieces repaired and/or restored • Number of visits to educational and cultural facilities • Number of contracts with arts professionals and arts organizations • Percent of recipients who report satisfaction with AACME programs and services 8 Thank you! ACME
Cultural Arts Funding Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | July 20, 2026 Agenda 1. Contracts & Payments 2. Grant Funded Activities 2 Contracts & Payments Contracts & Payments (as of 7/17/26) 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%) 227 (99%) 216 (94%) 102 102 (100%) 102 (100%) 102 (100%) 81 (79%) n/a 35 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 34 (97%) 29 (83%) See year 1 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 28 (77%) N/A N/A Total Dist. to date Total Allocation $9,181,250 (99%) $9,265,000 $499,500 (97 %) $510,000 $3,712,500 (96%) $2,803,500 (73%) $3,850,000 $3,850,000 4 FY24 Final Report Status (as of 7/17/26) 14 of 229 Elevate Final Reports Incomplete (6%) • Deadline: January 31, 2026 • 6 not submitted • 5 need revisions • 2 returning unused funds • 1 deceased 5 FY25 Final Report Status (as of 7/17/26) 20 of 101 Nexus Final Reports Incomplete (20%) • Deadline: May 31, 2026 • 15 not submitted • 1 submitted not reviewed • 4 need revisions 6 Grant Funded Activities Cultural Funding Grantee Activities (VisitAustin) Poetry Club with the East Austin Writing Project Monthly, June 1 – January 1 East Austin Writing Project (District 3) – Houndstooth Coffee Really Small Museum presents Yevghenia Davidoff June 3 – July 31 Really Small Museum (District 1) – Austin Nature & Science Center AZL Brazilian Zouk Series Wednesday July 15 – August 5 Austin Brazilian Zouk & Lambada Cultural Heritage Project (District 9) – Charles Johnson House 8th Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera July 17-25 One Ounce Opera (District 4) – dadaLab 8 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities (VisitAustin) I Scream Social July 24 Host Publications (District 7) – Alienated Majesty Books Mujer Manifesto Zine Volume 6 July 28 The Gallery ATX (ETJ) – Moontower Cider Co Speak No More: Lovecraft July 31 – August 23 La Fenice (District 2) – The Tavern 9 Questions? 10
Art in Public Places Staff Briefings Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Arts Commission | July 20, 2026 Public Art Open Calls austintexas.gov/AIPP • Asian American Resource Center • Shared Streets • NESC Suspended 3D Artwork (TX) • Public Artist Pre-qualified List (TX) Apply at PublicArtist.org before August 3, 2026 Virtual Open Office Hours (VOOH) Every Tuesday 10am-12pm Info Sessions www.eventbrite.com/o/austin-arts-culture-music-and- entertainment-108376071991 AIPP Coordinators – Lindsay Hutchens & Rebecca Rende 2 AIPP Resolution No. 20250306-029 Next Steps & Timeline • Align Ordinance and Guidelines (May-August) 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 Economic Opportunities Committee o Arts Commission o City Council Meeting • AIPP Guidelines Approvals July 31 September 14 September 18 September 21 September 24 October 3 AIPP Process 1. SCOPING 2. SELECTING 3. DESIGNING 4. IMPLEMENTING 5. ARCHIVING a. Project Set Up a. Artist Selection a. Artist Research (30%) a. Construction Drawing a. Close Out b. Art Call b. Approval: Artist b. Concept (60%) b. Artwork Fabrication b. Maintenance Repair/Restoration c. Approval: Art Call c. Artist Contract c. Final (90%) c. Artwork Installation c. Deaccession/Relocation 4 AIPP Process Partner Departments (Sponsor & Managing Departments) 1. SCOPING 2. SELECTING 3. DESIGNING 4. IMPLEMENTING 5. ARCHIVING a. Project Set Up a. Artist Selection a. Artist Research (30%) a. Construction Drawing a. Close Out b. Art Call b. Approval: Artist b. Concept (60%) b. Artwork Fabrication b. Maintenance Repair/Restoration c. Approval: Art Call c. Artist Contract c. Final (90%) c. Artwork Installation c. Deaccession/Relocation 5 AIPP Process Community (stakeholders, AIPP Panel, Arts Commission) 1. SCOPING 2. SELECTING 3. DESIGNING 4. IMPLEMENTING 5. ARCHIVING a. Project Set Up a. Artist Selection a. Artist Research (30%) a. Construction Drawing a. Close Out b. Art Call b. Approval: Artist b. Concept (60%) b. Artwork Fabrication b. Maintenance Repair/Restoration c. Approval: Art Call c. Artist Contract c. Final (90%) c. Artwork Installation c. Deaccession/Relocation 6 AIPP Process Artists 1. SCOPING 2. SELECTING 3. DESIGNING 4. IMPLEMENTING 5. ARCHIVING a. Project Set Up a. Artist Selection a. Artist Research (30%) a. Construction Drawing a. Close Out b. Art Call b. Approval: Artist b. Concept (60%) b. Artwork Fabrication b. Maintenance Repair/Restoration c. Approval: Art Call c. Artist Contract c. Final (90%) c. Artwork Installation c. Deaccession/Relocation 7
OUR MISSION The Mission of the Dougherty Arts Center is to provide support and opportunities for emerging though established artists and arts enthusiasts in a welcoming and safe place to experience the arts firsthand. OUR VISION The Dougherty Arts Center is Austin’s cultural living room where all people are invited to gather and create community through the arts. OUR IDENTITY We are Austin’s oldest community arts center, 100% of staff are artists – a site run by artists, for artists and arts enthusiasts. We celebrate Austin’s diverse arts community by hosting classes, events, workshops, exhibits, and performances, and provide paid experience for artists in a warm and nurturing environment in the heart of downtown Austin. BY THE NUMBERS OCTOBER 1, 2025 – JULY 1, 2026 7,490 SAW A PERFORMANCE 20,077 CAME TO EXIHIBITS AND GALLERY EVENTS 54,300+ PARTICIPATED 1,580 YOUNG ARTISTS SERVED 1,710 HOURS OF PROGRAMS 1,997 ENJOYED FREE SPECIAL EVENTS 500 CREATIVE SPACES SUPPORTED THE ARTS 5,746 ADULT STUDIO USES $1.5 MILLION GENERAL FUND $281,000 FY26 REVENUE 28,800 SQ FT 8.5 FULL TIME STAFF DOUGHERTY ARTS CENTER & BEVERLY SHEFFIELD HILLSIDE THEATER 1 2 3 4 Julia C. Butridge Gallery Theater and Events Adult and Youth Studio Classes Artist Professional Development PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES Art In Cahoots caregiver and child program Creativity Club Afterschool Summer Camp Works in Progress Teen Internship DAC to Go Senior and Recreation Center outreach Adaptive Ceramics satellite program Adult Studio painting, drawing, ceramics, darkroom, and textiles Gallery Exhibitions Artist Talks and Demos Artist Professional Development DAC Nights monthly public events Artist Access Program Theater Rentals and Performances Art-O-Rama annual signature event Volunteer Program Zilker Hillside Theater MARKETING Focus strategies to increase the participation and attendance to events and spaces IMPLEMENTATION Collaborate with stakeholders and outside organizations to attract new audiences Promote awareness of DAC offerings through social media and cross-marketing TARGET AUDIENCES Artists Tourists Community organizations Young professionals Students Families Seniors CREATIVITY BELONGS TO EVERYONE! 1-3 YEARS Stronger and happier arts community Reach more arts deserts Create more jobs Increase offerings for underserved artists More collaborations Bring more people together 3-5 YEARS Sustainable art practices A “third space” for artists Arts visibility within and beyond Austin Artist Lifecycle New Building
Spicewood Springs Corridor Final Design Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | 7.06.2026 Spicewood Springs Mobility project Project Phase Final Design Artist(s) Name Christine Rojek Art Commission 182,000 Funding Type CIP project Sponsor Dept Council District TPW 10 near 4501 Spicewood Springs Road 2 Spicewood Springs Mobility Project Overview Project Overview: Identified in the City of Austin’s 2016 Mobility Bond as a key project, the site currently is missing water quality facilities as well as safety features such as continuous sidewalks, curbs, buffer zones and there is no continuous center turn lane. Project Goals: • Expand the roadway to two lanes in each direction, adding a center median with left-turn bays • Create a shared-use path on both sides of the road for pedestrians and bicyclists, and stormwater quality and detention facilities. Construction Timeline: • Work began Dec. 2023 • Substantial Completion: EOY 2026 3 Spicewood Springs AIPP Project Overview Project Overview: • Create a site-specific artwork that enhances the community’s experience of the Spicewood Springs Road corridor. Project Goals: • Respect wildlife and integrate with the natural beauty of the corridor; • Be safe to people and animals, easily maintained, and vandal-resistant in an exterior environment. • Align with the character of the community and human history of the site. Timeline: • Fabrication: Summer - Fall 2026 • Installation: EOY 2026 TBD 4 Spicewood Springs Corridor – Scope of Work Scope of Work: • Engage with community to understand the important values and desires to reflect in the artwork. • Design a sculpture that honors the natural landscape and the local community. • Fabricate and Install the sculptures onsite in accordance with the ongoing site construction. Eligibility: • Corridor Pre-Qualified Artist Pool • Austin-based visual artists who reside in the seven counties bounding the Austin metro area (Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet, and Blanco counties) • At least 18 years of age Add Image ?? 5 Spicewood Springs Road AIPP Project Artist Christine Rojek “Taming of the Surge” –Norfolk, VA “Rubber Tipped Crane” – Town Center, Schaumburg, IL 6 Community Engagement SPICEWOOD SPRINGS BRANCH LIBRARY EVENT 10/20/24 • • VISITS TO NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANTS & SHOPS: INTRODUCED MYSELF, PASSED OUT FLYERS, TALKED ABOUT UPCOMING AIPP COMMISSION. • CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCALS: TOMLINSON’S PET STORE, SHIRLEY MCFAIL SCHOOL OF DANCE, GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL, ANOTHER BROKEN EGG, TROY MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT, EPOCH COFFEE. • DOS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: FEEDBACK FROM NEIGHBORHOOD …
Deaccession Process for “Crosswalk on the Lake” Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | July 20, 2026 AIPP Process 1. SCOPING 2. SELECTING 3. DESIGNING 4. IMPLEMENTING 5. ARCHIVING a. Project Set Up a. Artist Selection a. Artist Research (30%) a. Construction Drawing a. Close Out b. Art Call b. Approval: Artist b. Concept (60%) b. Artwork Fabrication b. Maintenance Repair/Restoration c. Approval: Art Call c. Artist Contract c. Final (90%) c. Artwork Installation c. Deaccession/Relocation 2 Deaccession Crosswalk on the Lake Artist: Mery Godigna Collet Location: 3710 Lake Austin Boulevard Austin, TX 78703 Accession Number: CH.2016.003 Accession Date: 7/21/2016 Crosswalk on the Lake, by Mery Godigna Collet and Luis R. Gutierrez, was installed in 2016 and accessed into the City of Austin’s public art collection. 3 Deaccession Process Summary & Next Steps Art in Public Places (AIPP) and Austin Transportation & Public Works (ATPW) artwork deaccession from Lake Austin Boulevard. June 2016 • Artwork presented as a part of the Urban Crosswalk Project, donated by a private citizen, for $6,000.00 to produce • Donation Approved by Arts Commission October 2025 • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDoT) issued directive for all cities in the state to remove any street- based artwork, painting, or signs not approved for transportation safety, in order for cities roadways to be in compliance with state grants. This included the AIPP managed artwork Crosswalk on the Lake. May 2026 • TxDoT denies City of Austin’s exemption request ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ June 2026 • AIPP presented plan to formally deaccess artwork • Arts Commission formed Deaccession Jury July 2026 • Deaccession Jury to review deaccession request • Arts Commission to review AIPP Panel deaccession recommendation August 2026 • City Council to review deaccession recommendation • Upon approval for deaccession the artwork will be removed by TPW crews 4
