Item 07 - AACME Funding Programs Update_Odegaard.pdf — original pdf

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Funding Programs Update Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | November 17, 2025 Re-Alignment in AACME ▪ Still Evolving! Transparency is key. ▪ Community response ▪ Unified Funding Goals ▪ Improved User Experience ▪ Optimization by Programmatic focus ▪ Grants ▪ HOT-funded City-wide cultural contracts ▪ Special funds Division Manager: Funding Nexus Cultural Arts Grants Elevate Thrive Musician / Promoter Live Music Venue Capital Projects Heritage Events ARPA Arts for All Live Music Fund Grants Heritage Preservation Grants Creative Space Assistance Program Special Projects UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts Austin Sister Cities International 2 Funding Programs: Guidelines ▪ Clearer definitions ▪ Clearer criteria ▪ Simplified processes ▪ More accessible resources across all programs ▪ Learn More: austintexas.gov/acme/grants-funding English Guidelines Spanish Guidelines 3 Funding Programs: Application Timeline 1. Intake Form 3. Application Form Must be completed by Lead Applicant Applications close at 6:59 p.m. Thursday, December 11, 2025 May only be completed once per applicant entity No paper or emailed applications will be accepted FS complete intake form for their organization's application ONLY • Sponsored Projects must complete intake form independent of their FS Select all grant programs you wish to apply All Eligibility Forms due by 6:59 p.m. Thursday, December 4, 2025 Must complete an Eligibility Form for Each Program they wish to apply Allow for up to 4-business days to receive access to application 2. Eligibility Form 4 Funding Programs: Overview Austin Live Music Fund • $5,000 - $70,000 • Music Industry (musicians, independent promoters, venues) Creative Space Assistance Program • $60,000 • Commercial creative spaces Elevate • Up to $30,000 - $80,000 • Arts organizations, individual artists, creative businesses Heritage Preservation Grant • $50,000 - $250,000 • Preservation projects and activities AACME is providing grant funding for activities that enrich the public, broaden tourism, and contribute to the cultural fabric of Austin. 5 Austin Live Music Fund Program Description: Encourages, promotes, improves, and showcases Austin’s diverse music industry. Award Amounts Applicant Award Amount Professional Musician & Independent Promoter $20,000 with 24-month Grant Agreement term Professional Musician & Independent Promoter $5,000 with 12-month Grant Agreement term Live Music Venue with at least a $60,000 operating budget $60,000 with 12-month Grant Agreement term Evaluation and Review: ▪ Multiple-Choice responses autoscored ▪ Evidence reviewed by third-party administrators 6 Creative Space Assistance Program Program Description: Supports commercial creative spaces facing displacement or new leases at higher and unaffordable rates. Eligible Applicants ▪ Meets one of the following Creative Space Definitions: ▪ Live Music Venue; Performance Venue / Theatre; Museum / Art Gallery; or Multi-Use ▪ Must provide evidence of commercial property lease located in Austin or its ETJ ▪ Must be zoned for intended use as a commercial creative space where people from the public can gather ▪ Must have at least a $60,000 operating budget Eligible Expenses ▪ Rent (up to 30% of base rent); Property Taxes; General Liability Insurance; Other Space-Related Needs Scoring: ▪ Evidenced based Multiple-Choice Award Amount ▪ $60,000 7 Elevate Grant: Eligibility Program description: One-year agreements that support arts nonprofits, arts groups, and individual artists producing publicly accessible arts and culture activities. Eligible Applicants: ▪ Applicant types: 501(c)3 arts nonprofits of any budget size, Arts Groups (including State of Texas nonprofits) with budgets under $500k, Individual Artists with budgets under $500k ▪ Must have 2 years of creative production history in Austin ▪ Must be headquartered in Austin MSA Eligible Activities (must take place in Austin): ▪ Exhibitions ▪ Live performances ▪ Workshops, classes, and camps that culminate in a public exhibition ▪ Public art projects 8 Elevate Grant: Details Application: ▪ Applicant Introduction Statement ▪ 3 narrative sections ▪ 6 questions, 3000 characters max per response ▪ Project Budget Table ▪ Work samples, no more than 3 pages or 5 minutes Evaluation Review and Scoring: ▪ Panel Reviews ▪ Panel Groups by discipline: Exhibition, Performance, Arts Education/Arts Service/ Arts Therapy ▪ Reviewed with groups of similar budget size ▪ Live Panels ▪ Olympic Scoring Awards Applicant 501(c)(3) Arts Nonprofit Award Amount 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 $50,001 to $500,000 Award up to $40,000 operating budget under $50,000 Award up to $30,000 Individual Artist Minimum two-year production history in Austin operating budget $500,000 or less Award up to $30,000 9 Heritage Preservation Grant: Eligibility Program description: Heritage Preservation Grant aims to preserve and promote preservation projects, expand access to historic spaces and heritage resources, showcase local stories rooted in history, support the creative economy to attract and expand audiences and engage tourists seeking authentic experiences. Applicant type: ▪ 501(c)(3) nonprofits OR For-profit business ▪ Must have 2 years of operating in the City of Austin / MSA ▪ Project / event site must be in Austin or Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) ▪ Project / event site must be open and advertised to tourists, visitors, and residents ▪ Preservation projects and programs must highlight storytelling and invite tourists to explore historic sites Evaluation Review and Scoring: ▪ Interdepartmental staff review (verification that state tax mandated eligibility is met) ▪ Panel Reviews by subject matter experts (preservation architects, museum educators, etc.) 10 Heritage Preservation Grant: Details Heritage Events ▪ Includes historic research, develops a tourism itinerary, promotes tourism and untold stories of the location ▪ Designation: Not required ▪ Award Amount: Up to $50,000 ▪ Includes historic research and highlights the history of the site ▪ Designation: Required local, state or national designation or Council-approved heritage districts ▪ Award Amount: Up to $150,000 Term: 12 months Eligible Activities: ▪ Heritage events, festivals, or programs ▪ Heritage, historic, or interpretative exhibits ▪ Tour Development: historic, heritage, legacy business Capital Improvement Projects ▪ Award Amount: Up to $250,000 ▪ Designation Required: Historic Designation and Owner Authorization ▪ Term: 24 months ▪ Eligible Activities ▪ ADA exterior access ▪ Façade elements ▪ Foundation stabilization ▪ Masonry rehabilitation / repair ▪ Professional preservation services and consultants ▪ Interior improvements (NEW): electrical, mechanical, flooring, safety upgrades with sensitive treatment paired with exterior proposal 11 Funding Programs: Application Status • 953 Intake Forms Submitted (949 EN; 4 SP) Eligibility Forms Sent Eligibility Forms Submitted Applications Sent Applications Submitted Austin Live Music Fund Creative Space Assistance Elevate Heritage Preservation EN SP EN SP EN SP EN SP 596 2 135 1 585 3 113 0 ALL PROGRAMS TOTAL 1,435 310 1 27 0 288 2 24 0 652 249 0 12 0 192 0 6 0 459 66 0 1 0 9 0 0 0 76 12 Funding Programs: Application Reminders ▪ Intake Form: Multiple categories can be selected at this stage! ▪ Intake Form determines what Eligibility Forms you will receive ▪ Austin Live Music Fund Specific: ▪ Previous recipients CAN apply in this FY26 cycle ▪ Cannot apply for BOTH $20,000 and $5,000 levels (pick one!) ▪ Music Industry Accomplishments: Questions and Scoring Criteria ONLY for $20,000 applicants ▪ Panelist Recruitment is Open! (till December 1st) ▪ Evaluation Review and Scoring: Elevate and Heritage Preservation ▪ Learn more and apply at bit.ly/AACMEreviewpanelform ▪ 162 Interest Forms Received to date 13 Funding Programs: Application Assistance ▪ Workshops (recordings posted on website) • Virtual: November 5th at 6pm; November 17th at 11am • In-Person: • November 15th at 11:30am (Asian American Resource Center) • November 18th at 5:00pm (Ruiz Branch Library) – Spanish Language Workshop • November 20th at 5:00pm (Carver Branch Library) – ASL Interpreter ▪ Open Office Hours • Every Tuesday, 10-Noon (virtual) • Special sessions 10am – 4pm (virtual and in-Person): December 4th, 9th, 11th ▪ 1:1 Meetings via Booking Link ▪ The Long Center: Email ApplicationHelp@thelongcenter.org; (512) 457-5161 (M-F, 9-11am) ▪ Community Events (Nov 1: MACC Dia de Los Muertos; Nov 7: AARC Fall Exhibit Reception; etc) 14 Questions? www.austintexas.gov/acme/grants-funding