Item 2c. Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funded Programs - Economic Development Department — original pdf

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FY23 Cultural Funding Programs Update CITY OF AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT JUNE 28, 2022 Concerns of Inequitable Distribution* Problem: we are trying to address 50 years of inequitable distribution of funding through the Cultural Funding programs due to the historical policies, practices, and (in)accessibility of our programs. *Data shows leadership/staff demographics FY15-FY 21 only. We recognize this is only one indicator. Equitable Funding Review Goal The desired goal is to sustain and grow Austin’s cultural infrastructure so that all may share in the economic and employment benefits of the heritage preservation and creative sectors, as well as upholding the City’s commitment to racial equity per the City of Austin’s Equity Office standards and goals. Cultural Funding Review Process Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 4.5 Launch + Listen Record + Analyze Equity Audit 9 1 0 2 • 1 town hall • 2 workshops • 39 listening sessions • 540 participants • 1,160 engagement hours • Feedback compiled and synthesized • Organized into specific themes and directions for further discussion • Staff assessment of programs • Equity trainings for staff and commissions • Heritage Tourism and Music and Entertainment added • Process audit with ODD • MJR Recommendations Program Development • 1500+ hours of staff planning • 2 public presentations • Feedback: comment box, 1:1 meetings, Q+A, direct communications, Commission meetings 2 0 2 2 Program Refinement • 1 presentation • Regular VOOH and 3 guided discussions • Arts Commission chats • Feedback collection including survey • Feedback will be used to refine the program before official launch • Evaluation is ongoing! Feedback informed every aspect of program development including program priorities, application scoring, rubrics, and process improvements. Holistic Funding Ecosystem Nexus Nurture new and emerging applicants by funding creative public projects developed through community activation and/or collaboration. Elevate Creative and administrative expenses of cultural producers that amplify equity and prioritize inclusive programming. Thrive Focused investment to sustain and grow arts organizations that are deeply rooted in, and reflective of Austin’s diverse cultures. Pilot Program Nexus in Detail Goal Contract Term Type of Funding Who can apply? Selection Process Draft Total Available Funds Draft Award Amounts Draft Number of Awardees Individuals/ Groups* (*cooperatives, non-profit organizations, businesses, partnerships, etc.) Encourage new talent Nexus 6 Months Project Funding Only 3 COA Staff + Rubric ~$500,000 $5,000 100 (50 per cycle; 2 cycles/year) Pilot Program Elevate in Detail Elevate Elevate (Non-501c) Elevate+ (501c only) Support established cultural producers Goal Contract Term Who can apply? Selection Process 1 year Panel Type of Funding Flexible: Project/Operating Flexible: Project/Operating Artists; Arts/Culture Groups* w/ budgets <$500k Arts/Culture 501(c)s only 1 year Panel ~$3,000,000 Draft Total Available Funds ~$1,000,000 Draft Award Amounts $10,000 - $30,000 $10,000 - $75,000 Draft Number of Awardees 35 65 Pilot Program Thrive in Detail Goal Contract Term Type of Funding Who can apply? Selection Process Draft Total Available Funds Invest in diverse cultural institutions Flexible: Project/Operating (+Optional Networking/ Coaching/ Classes) 501(c) only with 5-year operating history in Austin Thrive 2 years Panel ~$3,000,000 Draft Award Amounts $80,000 - $150,000 Draft Number of Awardees 35 Revisions to the Heritage Preservation Grant Guidelines 2017: Interagency Visitor Impact Task Force & (2018) Heritage Grant Working Group People-centered preservation that honors the full diversity of the ever- evolving American story – National Trust for Historic Preservation COA Equity Statement: Strategic Direction 2023 2023: Historic Preservation Plan Update Heritage Preservation Grant Review Process Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Initial Review & Best Practice Research •HLC Briefing •Reports and Recommendations •Best Practice Research: San Antonio, Miami, Colorado, Denver, Seattle, Texas Historical Commission, Local Preservation Organizations 0 2 0 2 Virtual Outreach & Community Meetings •Initial Draft Guidelines + Comment Period •Virtual Open Office Hours •Website: FAQ •Newsletters / Campaigns •Briefings: HLC, Law, Equity Office, Joint Inclusion, Equity Action Assessments •Program entry barriers •Equity trainings for staff and commissions •Process audit with ODD •MJR Recommendations: HT, CAD, MED •Simplified Portal Application •Awareness Workshops •Tourism Marketing Training •Specified Project Types •First-time applicants prioritized •Optional Expenses Expanded: 10% PM allowance for capital; $1,000 fiscal sponsor fee; and insurance fees •Panel Training Draft Guidelines + Feedback in Progress •Regular VOOH •1:1 Meetings •Newsletters •June 2022 Presentations: African American Resource Advisory, LGBTQIA QoL, Audit & Finance, Asian American QoL, Hispanic/Latino QoL, HLC 2 0 2 2 DRAFT Heritage Preservation Grant Guidelines and survey can be found at ausintexas.gov/heritage-grants Heritage Preservation Grant Funding for Historic Place-Based Projects Capital Planning Educational Goal Preservation of historic sites and diverse history-informing projects that encourage heritage tourism Contract Term Type of Funding 2 years Project 2 years Project 2 years Project Who can apply? Non-Profit / For Profit Non-Profit / For Profit Non-Profit / For Profit Historic Designation Designation Required Designation Required Designation Required Project Bids Two Project Bids Required Selection Process Interdepartmental / Panel Interdepartmental / Panel Interdepartmental / Panel Draft Award Amounts $15,000 - $250,000 $15,000 - $30,000 > $10,000 Heritage Preservation Grant Marketing of Historic Culturally Significant Projects Goal Promote and Explore Austin heritage, history, and heritage tourism Contract Term Type of Funding Who can apply? Project Bids Selection Process Draft Award Amounts 2 years Project Non-Profit / For Profit Two Project Bids Required Staff Review / Panel $30,000 Historic Designation Designation Not Required Heritage Preservation Grant Proposed Scoring Criteria Preservation Impact Heritage Tourism Impact Access & Impact Project Budget and Bids Live Music Fund Event Program – Inaugural Pilot Program Program Purpose • Encourages, promotes, improves, and showcases Austin’s diverse live music industry through supporting live and online music events, recording studio production, music video production, replication (vinyl, CD, cassette printing), and broadcasting (radio, tv, podcasts). • Supports Austin’s professional musicians, bands & independent promoters who produce the above activities that can be marketed to local audiences, visiting and potential tourists, and conventions delegates. • To support the principles of Preservation, Innovation, and Elevation & Collaboration (PIE) as described in Music Commission Recommendation 20201019-2bii . Live Music Fund Event Program Pilot Program Details Encourages, promotes, improves, and showcases Austin’s diverse live music industry Goal Contract Term Type of Funding Est. Total Available Funds Award Amounts Est. Number of Awardees 1 year Project Expenses ~$3,000,000 $5,000 - $10,000 300-600 Who can apply? Professional Musicians & Independent Promoters Selection Process Highest scored Applicants until funding is expended Live Music Fund Event Program – Scoring Criteria Access To Services – 30 POINTS • Applicant demonstrates greatest level of urgent need and lack of access to health services and financial capacity & support • Applicant and/or Project located in Qualified Census Tract (QCT) Preservation – 20 POINTS • Project celebrates or showcases diverse cultural heritage and music history • Project is presented or produced in the African American Cultural and Heritage District Innovation – 20 POINTS • Project highlights accessible tools and technologies ensuring the project is revenue generating and can be accessed by a wide range of residents and visitors • Marketing plan for new audience development & cultural tourism for reaching new audiences, conference attendees, and potential visitors Elevation & Collaboration –Up To 20 POINTS • Applicant demonstrates a critical need for professional and technical assistance • Project highlights emerging professional musicians and/or new collaborators and partners Event Budget Template – 10 POINTS Live Music Fund Event Program – Contract Commitments Musician & Creative Worker Compensation • Professional Musicians ($200 / Hour Per Artist Minimum) • Project Creative Workers ($22 / Hour City of Austin Minimum) Business Training & Professional Development: No-cost options provided by The City of Austin • Technical Assistance: Agree to participate in technical assistance or other capacity building support provided by the City of Austin (workshops related to business development, financial planning, etc.) • Professional Development: Agree to participate in or host professional development opportunities for the community (speaker, workshop, webinar, panel, etc.) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training: No-cost options provided through the City of Austin The City of Austin is focusing on undoing the policies and practices that have led to historic systemic inequities with special attention paid to business ownership, employment, artist of color and genre development, and audience outreach and development: • Undoing Systemic Racism Training • Austin Music Equity Strategic Plan EDD Process Timeframe May 25th / June 15th – Council Audit & Finance Committee Meeting May 31st – Arts Commission meeting June 6th – Music Commission meeting June 7th – African American Resource Advisory Commission presentation June 13th – LGBTQIA+ QOL Commission presentation June 21st – Asian American QOL Commission presentation June 28th – Hispanic/Latino QOL Commission presentation June 29th – Arts Commission meeting (vote) July 2022 – Panel Recruitment begins September 8th – Launch Heritage Preservation Grant October 12th – Cultural Arts Funding Pilot Program: Thrive launches February 2023 – Tentative Nexus launch March 2023 – Tentative Elevate launch Summer 2023 – Tentative Live Music Fund Event Program launch