REGULAR MEETING of the MUSIC COMMISSION July 6, 2026 6:30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM 1001, 301 W 2ND STREET, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Music Commission may be participating virtually. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Shelbi Mitchell, 512-974-6318, Shelbi.Mitchell@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nagavalli Medicharla - Chair, Pedro Carvalho – Vice Chair, Joe Silva – Parliamentarian, Clarissa Cardenas – Secretary, Nelson Aguilar, Tami Blevins, Clayton England, Cornice “Ray” Price Jr., Penny Jo Pullus, Celeste Quesada AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. MUSIC PERFORMANCE Fingerpistol APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Music Commission meeting on June 1, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on Live Music Fund collections by Kim McCarson, Program Manager, Music & Entertainment, Austin Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME). 3. Staff briefing on FY24 Austin Live Music Fund final reports by Erica Shamaly, Division Manager, Music & Entertainment Division, ACME. 4. Staff briefing on Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) live music performances/booking by Erica Shamaly, Division Manager, and Celina Zisman, Music Coordinator, Music & Entertainment Division, ACME. 5. Staff briefing on ACME funding programs by Laura Odegaard, Acting Division Manager, ACME. 6. Staff briefing on ACME Strategic Plan by Candice Cooper, Interim Chief Administrative Officer. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7. Update on Red River Cultural District economic analysis and the new strategic plan presented by Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director of Red River Cultural District. 8. Downtown Commission update on priorities and recent actions by Parliamentarian Silva. 9. Presentation on Creative Music Hubs at City Cultural Centers presented by Chair Medicharla. 10. Music Commission strategic goals and budget recommendations to council. 11. Music Commission engagement with council districts presented by Chair Medicharla. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be …
Hotel Occupancy Tax Collections Live Music Fund Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment July 6, 2026 FY 26 Year-to-Date Hotel Occupancy Tax Collections – Live Music Fund May 2026 w/ Encumbrances $242,794 FY26 Year-to-Date w/ Encumbrances $3,484,547 % Change in Year–to-Date Total 8% $17,874 $312,748 $827,586 $19,399 $338,773 $854,923 $12,938 $323,076 $798,287 $5,509 $217,400 $744,461 $4,573 $472,660 $716,095 $36,835 $335,537 $782,771 $19,180 $288,001 $856,608 $5,354 $172,557 $754,925 $26,351 $1,123,522 $21,687 $16,485 $352,514 $816,197 $48,397 $316,607 $809,445 $17,407 $159,710 $696,141 FY 23 October April November May FY 24 December June January July FY 25 February August FY 26 March September $242,794 $1,026,231 $58,521 $398,910 $798,245 $18,226 $179,271 $762,348 2
Funding Programs Update Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | July 6, 2026 FY26 Funding Disbursement Status (as of 7/2/26) Program Total Awardees Total Funds # of Awardees Paid % of Awardees Paid $ of funds disbursed % of funds disbursed ALMF Elevate CSAP HPG Thrive Nexus 396 277 22 22 35 75 $7,045,000 $12,616,773 $1,320,000 $3,000,274 $3,850,000 $500,000 366 242 19 13 27 0 91% 87% 86% 59% 77% 0% $3,677,500 $5,890,144.60 $553,741.27 $734,916.50 $2,713,500 $0 52% 47% 42% 24% 70% 0% TOTAL 827 $28,332,047 667 81% $13,569,802.40 48% 2 2027 Guideline Enhancements 2027 Enhancements ▪ Last month: Overarching priorities and enhancements related to ▪ Eligibility, Three-Step-Process, Communication, Tech, Documentation, Training, Timeline, Support, Marketing/Awareness, Language Access ▪ This month: Details on Guideline Enhancements ▪ Added minimum award amounts and structured ranges ▪ Added new or expanded scoring rubrics and tie-breakers across programs ▪ Added project summary question for all applications ▪ Strengthened definitions → especially “Applicant Entity,” “Arts Group,” and “Annual Expenses” ▪ Clarified anti-duplication rules (one application per program; no aliases) ▪ Maintained existing tourism marketing requirements but improved clarity, consistency, and alignment across programs. ▪ Deepened rigor across heritage and capital project requirements to strengthen preservation outcomes and documentation standards. ▪ Updated reading level of applications to 8th grade level for accessibility 4 Award Amounts for Thrive & Elevate ▪ What changed: ▪ FY27 Guidelines introduce structured award ranges with minimum and maximum award amounts for Thrive and Elevate. Previously it only included maximum cap. ▪ Thrive: Fully tiered award amounts by annual expenses with clear minimums per tier ▪ Elevate: Introduction of minimum award floors, creating structured, predictable ranges for all applicants ▪ How this enhances the Guidelines: ▪ Introduces transparency and predictability ▪ Reduces confusion and subjective interpretation by eliminating the ambiguous “up to” structure ▪ Aligns award amounts more closely with applicant capacity and operating size through tiering ▪ Set award amounts reduce administrative burden and helps with budgeting to know how many awards can be made within the amount of money available in the fund 5 Award Amounts for Thrive & Elevate Thrive Applicant Total Award over 2 years Annual Award 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit with Creative Space Annual expenses of $125,000 or greater Annual expenses of $85,000-$124,999 Annual expenses of $60,000-$84,999 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit without Creative Space Annual expenses of $85,000 or greater Annual expenses of $60,000-$84,999 $250,000 $125,000 per year $200,000 …
ACME Strategic Plan Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment July 2026 The Creative Reset > ACME Strategic Plan VISION Where Culture, Creativity, and Community Thrive 3 Mission We serve Austin by investing in creative people, cultural spaces, programs, and partnerships that expand access, strengthen community, and celebrate our city’s diverse cultural identity. 4 Framework for success Strategic Outcomes • Cultivate Access & Belonging • Invest in Cultural Spaces • Advance Creative Careers • Celebrate Vibrant Cultural Experiences • Curate Strategic Partnerships 6 Investment Priorities • Cultural and Community Assets • Direct Funding • Artist and Organizational Support • Community Access and Experience Delivery • Creative Ecosystem Leadership 7 Citywide goals and targets • Percent of participants who indicated the program / activity / visit enhanced their connection to art culture music entertainment or history • Percent of participants engaging with ACME programs and services for the first time • Number of public art collection pieces repaired and/or restored • Number of visits to educational and cultural facilities • Number of contracts with arts professionals and arts organizations • Percent of recipients who report satisfaction with AACME programs and services 8 Thank you! ACME
