Item 08 - ACME Final Guidelines Presentation_Arts Commission_8.18.25.pdf — original pdf
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Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment 2025 - 2026 Grant Funding Guidelines & Process Presented by Morgan Messick Assistant Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME) Art Commission Meeting | August 18, 2025 Some Major Improvements, Based on Feedback Guidelines Applicants competing against similar applicants (applicant type AND budget size) Ensuring avenues for all creative types: Two paths for individual artists; two paths for arts groups; two paths for state-level non-profits; two paths for 501 (c) 3 Fiscal Sponsorship available, but not required Single guideline document, with standardized definitions, formatting, and department processes/policies Cutting the originally proposed operation percentage caps from funding programs More funding levels are available for individual artists User Experience Improved Panel process Universal Appeals process for ACME programs Established policies on double dipping/conflict of interest, in response to Audit concerns Stacked application launch, with a single intake form Panels & Scoring Elevate/Thrive Panelist recruitment underway/training soon Assignments will be discipline specific (exhibition, performance, Arts Education/Arts Service/Arts and Music Therapy) Independent review by panelists with deadline to submit initial scores Panel day will be streamed, and private link available on YouTube after For score calculation > Olympic scoring is done by ACME staff/The Long Center Nexus Reviewer recruitment underway; training is soon; application assignments Independent review by Reviewer with deadline to submit scores/comments Score calculation Award Decisions Elevate/Thrive Award determination based on score Tentative awardee list provided to ACME leadership; internal review Award announcements made *Appeals process available Nexus award determination based on score Tentative awardee list provided to ACME leadership; internal review Tentative award announcements made *Appeals process available Measuring Program Impacts Category What the City Measures Metrics Reach & Engagement Community reach and public participation Attendance counts, demographic data Promotion Visibility and marketing efforts Event flyers, social media screenshots, VisitAustin.org listings, marketing plan analytics Impact Access Expression Resiliency Economic and cultural benefits for the creative workforce Number of jobs supported, amount of funding distributed Accessibility and inclusion for audiences and participants Diverse locations, ADA features, free/low-cost tickets/creative space, multilingual options Support for authentic artistic and cultural expression Artist reflections, new work created, creative risks taken Organizational growth, adaptability, or long- term community benefit beyond City funding New partnerships, diversified revenue, business training and professional development Cultural Funding Applicant Eligibility Thrive Elevate Nexus 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Arts Organization by time of Application submission (Federal designation only) At least five years operating in the City of Austin or its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (see definition) Annual operating budget of $60,000 or higher Nonprofit Arts Organization that are either: Federally designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; or Registered as a nonprofit corporation with the Texas Secretary of State and operating as a nonprofit with a clear public mission. Arts Groups Individual Artists Two years minimum operating in the City of Austin/ETJ Individual Artist / Arts Group with: At least one year experience/operation (see definition) Thrive Grant Applications open every two years; 24-month grant agreement term Applicant Maximum Total Award Annual Award Cap Nonprofit Arts Organization with Creative Space Non-Profit Arts Organization without Creative / Cultural Space Up to $250,000 total over 2 years Up to $125,000 per year Up to $170,000 total over 2 years Up to $85,000 per year Grant Awards are for a two-year term and capped at up to 100% of the organization’s annual budget. Scoring Criteria Thrive Grant Category Criteria Available Points Creative Work Ability to Deliver Mission or artistic vision is culturally significant and community-rooted Activities reflect the people, places, histories and cultures of Austin Creative work reflects clear intent, authentic perspective, and meaningful cultural expression Organization has clear plans and goals for long-term sustainability Leadership or team demonstrates understanding of and connection to the communities served Budget, staffing, and support systems are suited to the project’s scope and goals Up to 30 Up to 40 Public Connection Programs are welcoming and accessible to a wide public Organization contributes to Austin’s identity as a creative city Up to 30 Elevate Grant Applications open on a year; 12-month grant agreement term Applicant Award Amount 501(c)(3) Arts Nonprofit operating budget greater than $300,000 Award up to $80,000 operating budget of $100,001 to $299,999 Award up to $60,000 operating budget of $50,001 to $100,000 Award up to $50,000 operating budget under $50,000 Award up to $30,000 State of Texas Nonprofits/Arts Group operating budget of $50,001 to $299,999 Award up to $40,000 operating budget under $50,000 Award up to $30,000 Individual Artist Minimum two-year production history in Austin Award up to $30,000 Grant Awards are for a one-year term and capped at up to 100% of the applicant’s most recently completed annual budget. Scoring Criteria Elevate Grant Category Criteria Available Points Creative Work Ability to Deliver Public Connection Mission or artistic vision is culturally significant and community-rooted Activities reflect the people, places, histories and cultures of Austin Creative work reflects clear intent, authentic perspective, and meaningful cultural expression Up to 50 Leadership or team demonstrates understanding of and connection to the communities served Budget and staffing are suited to the project’s scope and goals Up to 30 Programs are welcoming and accessible to a wide public Activities foster community belonging and cultural connection across Austin’s populations Up to 20 Nexus Grant Applications open twice a year; 12-month grant agreement term Applicant Award Amount Individual Artists/Arts Groups (Min 1 year Experience) $5,000 OR $10,000 Grant Awards are for a one-year term and the highest scoring applications will receive the $10,000 award, and the next highest scoring applications will receive the $5,000 award. Scoring Criteria Nexus Grant Category Criteria Available Points Creative Work Idea reflects the people, places, histories and cultures of Austin Work demonstrates clear intent, authenticity, and meaningful perspective Up to 30 Ability to Deliver Artist or group brings relevant experience, relationships, or cultural knowledge to support the work Up to 30 Public Connection Project is made for a specific audience or community in mind The project is accessible and invites people to experience it Up to 30 Bonus Points No previous fiscal year Nexus Funding Up to 10 Next steps August 18: Seeking recommendation/support from Arts Commission September 8: Seeking recommendation/support from Music Commission September 19: Seeking support from Economic Opportunity Committee September 25: Planned “Request for Council Action” at City Council Meeting Application Process with Submittable Intake form Eligibility form Applications Application Timeline Late August: Submittable Profile Intake Form Opens September 29: Eligibility Forms Open October 21: Application Opens December 1: Application Deadline Planned Launch Calendar 2025 2026 MarchMarch March Nexus Nexus Oct 21, 2025 Elevate Austin Live Music Fund CSAP Heritage Preservation Grant 2027 March Nexus July September Elevate Austin LMF CSAP Historic Preservation Grant Nexus July July September September Elevate Elevate Thrive Thrive Austin LMF Austin LMF Historic Preservation Grant Historic Preservation Grant Nexus Nexus WE HOPE TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT