20250324-010: Arts Commission FY26 Budget Recommendations — original pdf

Recommendation

ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250324-010 Date: 4/4/2025 Subject: Arts Commission FY26 Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Commissioner Gray Seconded By: Commissioner Houston RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. The Arts Commission requests that ACME staffing expenses and admin fees are to be sourced from the General Fund (or any other appropriate source) and NOT from limited Hotel Occupancy Taxes designated for Arts. (FY24-25 amount was approx. $548,000) / City of Austin General Fund 2. Fiscal support for Cultural Arts Service Organizations to be issued to better support applicants during the cultural funding program application process, in particular for translation service providers. $500,000 / City of Austin General Fund 3. The Arts Commission recommends the addition of the following two positions for each cultural facility: Asian American Resource Center, George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center, Mexican American Culture Center, and the Dougherty Arts Center. While we understand the marketing representatives may be housed within a central division or public information office, we recommend there’s 1 FTE with a dedicated portfolio of serving a given facility. a. 1. Marketing Representative A - Communicates via social and news outlets each facility’s programs, identifies sharing of related City-wide initiatives needing more input from cultural and arts communities tied to each facility. b. Community Engagement Specialist - Seeks community input into public planning processes, attends community events to share about programs, services, and updates on capital projects. 4. The Arts Commission recommends that City Council and the Mayor commit to complete the Dougherty Arts Center as designed by Studio 8, and include the Dougherty Arts Center in the 2026 Bond. 5. Fiscal support for the Creative Space Assistance Program – match FY24-25 funding lever. CSAP awards between $5,000 and $50,000 to commercial creative spaces facing displacement or new leases at higher and unaffordable rates. Grant funds may be used for revenue-generating space improvements, partial lease payments, and gap financing for creative space purchases. $1.5 Million/ City General Fund JUSTIFICATIONS REC. 1. Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT) are already limited in their scope and should be used primarily for direct support of arts organizations, artists, and cultural programming rather than administrative expenses. Ensures Long-Term Sustainability: Reliance on HOT for administrative costs creates funding instability, as these revenues fluctuate based on tourism trends. Shifting these costs to the General Fund ensures consistent support. Aligns with Best Practices: Other cities with thriving arts ecosystems, such as San Francisco and Seattle, allocate administrative costs separately to ensure the majority of HOT revenues directly benefit arts organizations and creative workers. REC. 2. Improves Equity and Accessibility – Many artists and cultural organizations, particularly those from underrepresented communities, face language and administrative barriers when applying for funding. Providing translation services ensures that all applicants, regardless of language proficiency, have an equal opportunity to access funding. Strengthens Grant Success Rates – Many small and emerging arts organizations lack administrative capacity to navigate complex grant applications. Admin support for grant applications helps ensure more organizations successfully receive funding, leading to a more diverse and inclusive arts ecosystem. Supports Artists’ Well-Being – Many artists lack access to affordable healthcare, impacting their ability to sustain creative work. Community support for health services—such as mental health resources and wellness programs—ensures a healthier, more resilient arts community. Aligns with City’s Cultural and Economic Goals – Investing in service organizations strengthens Austin’s creative economy by ensuring artists and cultural groups receive the support needed to thrive, contributing to the city’s cultural and economic vibrancy. REC. 3. The 4 culture centers of the Asian American Resource Center, George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center, Mexican American Culture Center, and the Dougherty Arts Center within the Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment (ACME) Office’s Museums & Cultural Programs Division all serve unique sectors of the culture and arts communities in the City of Austin. These centers were all constructed due to community pressure for spaces that value specific arts and cultural communities that were not being adequately served by other City services. Due to their beloved statuses and long histories of community engagement, each requires marketing representatives and community engagement staff to appropriately engage and respond to the needs of the communities they were created in response to community needs for. Staff at each facility have reported the need over the years each facility having an overwhelming workload related to community engagement and marketing that has been split by current full- time staff or done by temporary staff. This division has several ongoing capital development and action plans in progress that require significant planning for community input and progress updates. Previously, the Public Information team from the Parks and Recreation Department or consultants were heavily relied on to complete these community input processes at the expense of construction bond dollars. This recommendation proposes having a dedicated Marketing Representative and Community Engagement Specialist for each site to preserve the institutional knowledge needed to keep the public up to date on each facility’s long-term planning processes, and unmet needs as well as deepen community connections. Lastly, each facility often is a hub and outlet for gathering input or sharing other City news from their specific cultural communities. For example, the City’s engagement in various surveys, action plans, etc with Asian American communities is often low. Oftentimes, the Asian American Resource Center marketing staff and facility are asked to help expand outreach to Asian American communities due to their use by that community REC. 4. Preserves a Cultural Landmark – The DAC has been a vital arts hub since 1978, providing accessible programs for artists, youth, and underserved communities. Completing the Studio 8 design ensures its continued impact. 1. Supports Long-Term Sustainability – The current facility is outdated and in disrepair. A purpose-built, modernized center reduces future maintenance costs and meets growing community needs. 2. Drives Economic and Cultural Growth – A fully realized DAC enhances Austin’s creative economy by attracting visitors, supporting local artists, and generating business activity. 3. Maximizes Previous Investments – The City has already invested in design and planning. Completing the project as envisioned ensures efficient use of resources and community input. 4. Aligns with Equitable Cultural Investment – Bond funding has supported major arts projects like the Mexican American Cultural Center and Carver Museum. DAC deserves the same priority to sustain Austin’s arts infrastructure. Including the DAC in the 2026 Bond and committing to its completion secures its role as a key creative asset for future generations. REC. 5. Addresses Austin’s Rising Commercial Rents: Many creative spaces in Austin face displacement due to rising property costs. CSAP funding helps mitigate the financial burden, ensuring long-term sustainability for arts spaces. Supports Economic Development: Creative industries generate significant economic activity in Austin. Providing financial support for arts spaces prevents closures that would result in job losses and economic downturns in the creative sector. Preserves Austin’s Cultural Identity: The loss of creative spaces due to affordability issues threatens Austin’s reputation as a leading creative city. Supporting CSAP ensures the city maintains a thriving arts ecosystem. Each of these budget requests directly supports the sustainability, accessibility, and growth of Austin’s arts ecosystem while aligning with broader city priorities in equity, economic development, and cultural preservation. Vote: 9-0 For: Chair Celina Zisman, Acia Gray, Amy Mok, Faiza Kracheni, Gina Houston, Felipe Garza, Monica Maldonado, Nagavalli Medicharla Chair Celina Zisman, Vice Chair Heidi Schmalbach, Keyheira Keys, Monica Maldonado, Felipe Garza, Gina Houston, Acia Gray, Sharron B Anderson, Nagavalli Medicharla Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Faiza Kracheni Attest: Jesus Varela