Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

REGULAR MEETING of the ARTS COMMISSION July 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001. 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 The ARTS COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 21, July 2025 at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001. 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Commissioner Houston called the ARTS COMMISSION Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Gina Houston, Acia Gray, Heidi Schmalbach, Muna Hussaini, Celina Zisman, Faiza Kracheni, Sharron B Anderson, Nagavalli Medicharla Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Keyheira Keys Board Members Absent: Felipe Garza CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Gina Houston - Chair, Acia Gray - Vice Chair, Keyheira Keys, Felipe Garza, Heidi Schmalbach, Muna Hussaini, Celina Zisman, Faiza Kracheni, Sharron B Anderson, Nagavalli Medicharla MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Laura Esparza from A3 spoke on their concern including DEI language into the proposed Cultural Funding Grants • Caroline Reck from Glass Half Full Theatre spoke on the proposed changes to the Thrive Guidelines. They voiced their disagreement with the prioritization of the highest level of funding for orgs that operate creative spaces. They felt there should be a reframing to prioritize organizations that provide space to community • Giselda Silva from Glass Half Full Theater spoke on the proposed changes to the Thrive Guidelines and asked that The City reconsider the 50% budget award limit. This lower threshold would cause them to reduce programming. They also feel that the Bonus points section should also be removed from the guidelines • Bonnie Cullum from The Vortex spoke on their concerns for venues and would like CSAP to be open to creative spaces every year. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on June 16, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of June 16, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Zisman’s motion, Commissioner Gray’s second on an 9-0 vote with Commissioner Garza absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on the film “Manifest” by Cecilia Garza-Trevino, Producer-Director The presentation was given by Cecilia Garza-Trevino 3. Presentation on the City Audit regarding Cultural Contract code violations by Luís Ordaz Gutiérrez of Proyecto Teatro No Update Given 4. Discussion of City Audit regarding Cultural Contract code violations No Update Given 5. Discussion of ACME Draft guidelines as available at time of meeting The motion to move Item 5 to after Item 6 on Commissioner Houston's motion, Commissioner Gray second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioners Garza, and Medicharla absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 6. Staff briefing regarding an update on ACME funding guidelines by Angela Means, Director and Morgan Messick, Assistant Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME). An update was given by Angela Means, Director, Candice Cooper, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, and Morgan Messick, Assistant Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME). 7. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Hotel Occupancy Tax by Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager An update was given by Matthew Schmidt, Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager 8. Staff briefing regarding update on the Cultural Arts Funding Programs by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor An update was given by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor 9. Staff briefing regarding an update on Art in Public Places by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager An update was given by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 10. Appoint new representative to the Downtown Commission No action taken . WORKING GROUP UPDATES 11. Update from joint Arts/Music Commission Working Group on Urban Core Issues with Commissioners Gray, and Schmalbach (chair). An update was given by Commissioner Gray 12. Update from the Community Feedback on most recent release of the Cultural Funding Programs Working Group with Commissioner’s Schmalbach, Houston, Keys, and Anderson (Chair) An update was given by Commissioner Anderson FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Presentation on the City Audit regarding Cultural Contract code violations by Luís Ordaz Gutiérrez of Proyecto Teatro Invite a Fiscal Sponsor professional from outside of Austin to present • • Appoint new representative to the Downtown Commission • Discussion on Arts Commission Roles including Bylaws • • • • • • Appoint new AIPP liaison Presentation on the 2020 Bond Measure Presentation from Rally Austin Presentation on STRs and the projected Hotel Tax Collection Invitation to someone from the Convention Center on the HOT tax impacts ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Houston adjourned the meeting at 9:19 P.M. without objection. The minutes were approved at the August 18, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Gray’s motion, Commissioner Zismann’s second on an 6-0 vote with Commissioner Garza abstaining and Commissioners Keys, Hussaini, and Medicharla absent.