Recommendation 20260324-015: Spanish-Language Contracts for City of Austin Cultural Arts Contractors — original pdf

Recommendation

Recommendation to Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission (20260324-015): Spanish-Language Contracts for City of Austin Cultural Arts Contractors WHEREAS, approximately 32% of Austin’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino1; and WHEREAS, 31% of Austinites speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish the predominant language spoken in the City2; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin began accepting Spanish-language applications for cultural funding programs in 2023 and subsequently awarded Spanish-language applicants; and WHEREAS, the Long Center—the City of Austin’s third-party contractor responsible for administering Cultural Arts Funding programs and processes—continues to decline the need to provide Spanish- language contracts to Spanish-speaking applicants who were awarded funding, citing that such provision is not required under its current agreement with the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin’s Spanish-speaking arts community has had to step in and act as translators for awarded applicants for the past 3 cultural arts funding cycles; NOW, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager and ACME to amend the Long Center’s Cultural Arts Funding Management Contract to ensure the provision of Spanish-language contracts to all Spanish-speaking applicants awarded funding, in order to promote equitable access and language inclusion. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the Long Center's Cultural Arts Funding Management is unable to provide Spanish Language contracts, we recommend that City Council outsources with a law firm to have Spanish Language contracts. It is estimated to cost between $10,000-$12,000 dollars. Date of Approval: March 24, 2026 Motioned by: Chair Afifi Seconded by: Commissioner Galvan Vote: 8-0 For: Chair Afifi, Vice Chair Ramos, Commissioners Castañeda, Flores, Galvan, Perales, Morales, Ruiz Absent: Commissioners Peña and Moya Fábregas Attest: Nekaybaw Watson, Staff Liaison 1. United States Census Bureau: 2010 Census Report 2. Austin Demographics: 2026 City of Austin Website