Item 08 - Whats New_ACME Funding Programs.pdf — original pdf

Backup

AACME Funding Program Updates What’s New? The AACME team undertook a rigorous community engagement effort during the Spring-Summer 2025 with an aim to improve funding programs that impact the creative community in Austin, TX. Our community input via “The Creative Reset” showed us great opportunities to enhance, align, and maximize our program goals. See the highlights of what’s new below Unified Funding Goals & Improved User Experience • Familiar grant programs, with enhanced eligibility, transparency, and processes to build community trust • A new guideline format creates one set of funding program guidelines vs. individual guidelines with ACME priorities elevated, creating alignment across all funding programs • Application improvements include streamlined intake processes and enhanced supports • Funding priorities are clearly defined and include a focus on creative space preservation, arts nonprofits, and artist resiliency • Enhanced transparency and accessibility will be a focus as we move through our funding process Eligibility, Scoring, Evaluation & Grant Awards • Eligibility - groups like applicants together where possible, to create more alignment in the competitive categories (e.g. nonprofits with space compete as a category, nonprofits without space compete as a separate category, etc.) • Universal Appeals process adopted across AACME programs • Operating budget size determines grant award category, optimizing investments • Strengthened policies to prevent conflicts of interest and double dipping of grant funds, ensuring equitable distribution of funds to more individuals and organizations • Fiscal Sponsorship is an available avenue, remaining optional for select programs • Award amounts have changed across programs, reflecting community and commission feedback • Panel Process Improvements include the use of “Olympic style scoring” and an “applicant introduction” opportunity to share more about the organization, project, and goals (non-scored) The next round of ACME Funding Program applications open in Fall of 2025. AACME Funding Programs: Eligibility At-A-Glance FUND SOURCE Cultural Arts Fund (HOT) APPLICANT CATEGORY Thrive Elevate Nexus Live Music Fund (HOT) General & Incentive Funds Austin Live Music Fund Creative Space Assistance Program Historic Preservation Fund (HOT) Capital Projects (Historic designation with activities highlighting site’s local history) Heritage Events (History- informed activities highlighting site’s local history) 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit w/ Creative Space 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit (non-arts) State of Texas Designated Arts Nonprofit For-Profit Arts Group For-Profit Individual Artist For-Profit Professional Musician For-Profit Independent Promoter Organization w/ Eligible Creative Space For-Profit Business Fiscal Sponsor Allowed - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 501 (c)(3) - *See program guidelines for restrictions and eligibility definitions; see Eligibility Categories & Award Amounts Breakdown in expanded detail Funding Program Updates Thrive Grant Categories What’s the Old Way? What’s the New Way? Eligibility • Nonprofits with Creative Space were reviewed together with those without Creative Space • No min operating budget • No award cap • At least 51% artistic production in Austin • Min. 5 years operating history in Austin • Headquartered in Austin MSA • 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit w/ Creative Space reviewed together • 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit w/o Creative Space reviewed together • $60k min operating budget • Awards capped at 100% of organizations annual operating budget • At least 51% artistic production in Austin • Min. 5 years operating history in Austin/MSA • Headquartered in Austin MSA Scoring Criteria • Cultural Erasure/Displacement • Institutional Marginalization • Commitment to Equity • Barriers to Access • Need for Investment • Creative Work • Capacity • Public Connection Evaluation • Panelist Process o Multidisciplinary panelists o Equity facilitated panels o Regional and Local Representation • Application Introduction Statement • Panelist Process o Discipline Specific Panels ▪ Separate panels for those w/ Creative Space and for those w/o Creative Space o Facilitated panels o Regional and Local Representation Frequency • Biennial (every two years) • Biennial (every two years) Awards • Awards Range from $85K to $150K per year (up to o Capped at 100% of Operating Budget • Nonprofit w/ Creative Space – Up to $125K per year ($250K total) $300K total) • Nonprofit w/o Creative Space – Up to $85K per year ($170K total) o Capped at 100% of Operating Budget Elevate Grant Categories What’s the Old Way? What’s the New Way? Eligibility Scoring Criteria • 501 (c) Arts Nonprofit • Individual Artists/Creative Businesses/State of Texas Arts Nonprofits • Operational in Austin/ETJ: Min 1 years • Headquartered in Austin MSA • Fiscal Sponsorship: Optional • Artist Pay • Community-Based Partnerships • Equity • Leadership Composition • Historical Underrepresentation • Cultural Erasure Evaluation • Panelist Process o Multidisciplinary panelists o Equity facilitated panels o Regional and Local Representation Frequency • Annual Awards • Award Range from $15K to $85K • 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit • Individual Artists/ Arts Group/ State of Texas Arts Nonprofit • Operational in Austin/ETJ: Min 2 years • Headquartered in Austin MSA • Fiscal Sponsorship: Optional • Creative Work • Capacity • Public Connection • Application Introduction Statement • Panelist Process: Discipline Specific Panels o Separate panels for Arts Nonprofits o Separate panels for State of Texas Nonprofits and Arts Groups o Separate panels for Individual Artists o Facilitated panels o Regional and Local Representation • Annual Capped at 100% of Operating Budget • 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit o Operating budget greater than $300,000: up to $80K o Operating budget $100,001 - $299,999: up to $60K o Operating budget $50,001 – $100,000: up to $50K o Operating budget under $50K: up to $30K • State of Texas Arts Nonprofit/Arts Group o Operating budget under $50,001 - $299,999: up to $40K o Operating budget under $50K: up to $30K • Individual Artists – up to $30K Nexus Grant Categories What’s the Old Way? What’s the New Way? Eligibility • Nonprofit Status – 501 (c) • Individuals/Creative Business/State of Texas Nonprofits • Operational in Austin/ETJ: Min 1 year • Headquartered in Austin MSA • Fiscal Sponsorship: Optional • Max operating budget of $150k • Individual Artists/ Arts Group • Operational in Austin/ETJ: Min 1 year • Headquartered in Austin MSA • Fiscal Sponsorship: Optional • Max operating budget of $150k Scoring Criteria • New and Emerging Applicants • Accessibility • Economically Disadvantaged Status/Historical Underrepresentation • Creative Work • Capacity • Public Connection • Previous Funding • Panelist Process Evaluation • Multiple Choice o Discipline Specific Reviewers – Written feedback only, no panel discussion o Regional and Local Representation o Application Framing Statement Frequency • Annual • Bi-Annual (twice a year) Awards • Awards at $5K • Awards at $5K OR $10K (based on score) Austin Live Music Fund Grant Categories What was the Old Way? Eligibility • Professional Musician • Independent Promoter • Live Music Venue Scoring Criteria MUSICIAN / PROMOTER • Limited Access to Services • Local Economic Impact • Programming & Outreach • Accessibility • Previous City of Austin Funding LIVE MUSIC VENUE • Limited Access to Services • Local Economic Impact • Programming & Outreach • Accessibility • Previous City of Austin Funding Evaluation Multiple-choice application questions that require “evidence” to be uploaded as support for verification to responses. Multi tiered review process by The Long Center Staff and City of Austin staff. What’s New? No changes MUSICIAN / PROMOTER • Music Industry Accomplishments • Artist Development • Austin Music Economy Development • Cultural Tourism Marketing & Outreach *Evidence Documentation from the last three years is prioritized *“Music Industry Accomplishments” Scoring Category for $20,000 Applications Only LIVE MUSIC VENUE • Austin Music Economy Development • Audience Development • Cultural Tourism Marketing & Outreach *Evidence Documentation of More Recent Examples Prioritized Multiple-choice application questions that require “evidence” to be uploaded as support for verification to responses. Multi tiered review process by The Long Center Staff and City of Austin staff. Frequency Annual Annual Awards • $15,000 or $30,000 Grant Awards MUSICIAN / PROMOTER LIVE MUSIC VENUE • $5,000 or $20,000 Grant Awards MUSICIAN / PROMOTER • $30,000 – Live Music Venues with operating budgets under LIVE MUSIC VENUE $100,000 • $70,000 – Live Music Venues with operating budgets over • $60,000 – Live Music Venues with operating budgets over $100,000 $100,000 Creative Space Assistance Program Grant Categories What’s the Old Way? What’s the New Way? Eligibility • Arts-focused Nonprofits designated as a 501(c)(3) • Independent artists with commercial studio spaces • For-profit businesses that have eligible commercial properties Scoring Criteria (by definition) • Access to Services • Compelling Project Need • Urgency • Co-Location • Community Benefit • Equity • New Recipient Commercial Creative Spaces that fit ACME definitions for: • Live Music Venue • Performance Venue / Theatre • Museum / Art Gallery • Multi-Use • Compelling Need • Urgency Co-Location • Community Benefit • Previous City Funding (If the applicant has not received previous City of Austin funding in the previous funding cycle, they are awarded extra points) Evaluation Multiple-choice application questions that require “evidence” to be uploaded as support for verification to responses. Multi- tiered review process by Rally Austin Staff and City of Austin staff. Multiple-choice application questions that require “evidence” to be uploaded as support for verification to responses. Multi- tiered review process by Rally Austin Staff and City of Austin staff. Frequency Biennial (every two years) Biennial (every two years) Awards $5,000 to $50,000 – Grant funds may be spent on only one of the following categories: • Gap Financing for Property Acquisition • Rent Stipend – Up to 30% of base commercial rent, not to exceed $50,000 over a 12-month period • Other Space-Related Needs – Includes such facility improvements as architectural or project plans and displacement-related expenses $60,000 – Grant funds may be spent towards one or a combination of the following: • Rent Stipend: Up to 30% of base commercial rent, not to exceed $60,000 over a 12-month period • Property Taxes: Portion of taxes are reimbursable upon proof of payment by awardee • General Liability Insurance • Other Space-Related Needs: Facility improvements (supplies, contractors, and architectural / project plans); environmental impact improvements (air conditioning, outdoor misters, and heaters); and displacement-related expenses (storage, moving, deposits) Heritage Preservation Grant: Heritage Events Categories What Was the Old Way? What’s the New Way? Eligibility Scoring Criteria Evaluation • 501(c)(3) Nonprofit • For-Profit • Two years minimum experience/operations • • Historic designation required Leased or owned • 501(c)(3) Nonprofit • For Profit • Two years minimum experience/operations • • Applicant may submit one project proposal per funding cycle • Historic designation not required (see guidelines for details) Leased or owned • Preservation Impact • Tourism Impact • Project Management, Completed and Uploaded Budget; Uploaded Bids • Accessibility & Impact • Preservation Impact • Tourism Impact • New Voices, Historic Places • New City of Austin Local Historic Landmark Panelist Process: (2) Panels • Capital & Planning • Marketing & Events National and Local Panelists • Interdepartmental Review to verify state tax-mandated eligibility requirements. • External Panel Frequency Annual Annual Awards Marketing: $30K (historic designation required) Educational: Up to $250K (historic designation required) Heritage Events: Events must include historic research and highlight the history of the site. • Up to $50K (no historic designation required) • Up to $150K (historic landmark, historic district, or council- approved heritage district eligible) Heritage Preservation Grant: Capital Improvement Project Categories What was the old way? What’s new? Leased or owned • 501(c)(3) Nonprofit • For-Profit • Two years minimum experience/operations • • Historic designation required • Project management expenses are allowed up to 10% of the grant award for capital projects, not to exceed $20,000 • Two bids required Leased or owned • 501(c)(3) Nonprofit • For-Profit • Two years minimum experience/operations • • Historic designation required • Project management and project administrative expenses are allowed up to 10% of the grant award for capital projects • One complete bid package required (see guidelines for details) New Eligible Project Types (see guidelines for details) • Historic Interiors o Electrical o Mechanical o Flooring o Safety o HVAC • Preservation Impact • Tourism Impact • Project Management, Completed and Uploaded Budget; Uploaded Bids • Accessibility & Impact • Preservation Impact • Tourism Impact • New Voices, Historic Places • New City of Austin Local Historic Landmark Panelist Process (2) Panels • Capital & Planning • Marketing & Events National and Local Panelists • Interdepartmental Review to verify state tax-mandated eligibility requirements • External Panel Eligibility Scoring Criteria Evaluation Application Annual Awards Planning: $30K Capital: Up to $250K Annual Capital Improvement Projects: Up to $250K