Music Commission Regular Meeting of the Music Commission

Agenda — original pdf

REGULAR MEETING of the MUSIC COMMISSION September 14, 2026 6:30 PM Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 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 Peter Stopschinski APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Music Commission meeting on August 3, 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 ACME funding programs by Laura Odegaard, Division Manager, Cultural Affairs and Investments, ACME. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation on Austin-based non-profit Interplanetary Help Desk by Andy Sernovitz, Founder. 5. Downtown Commission update on priorities and recent actions by Parliamentarian Silva. 6. Music Commission strategic goals and budget recommendations to council. 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 provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If you require Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Shelbi Mitchell at 512-974- 6318, Shelbi.Mitchell@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Music Commission, please contact Shelbi Mitchell at 512-974-6318, Shelbi.Mitchell@austintexas.gov.

Item 4 Supporting Document — original pdf

We’re a nonprofit that produces fundraiser concerts for other nonprofits … while uplifting the music community How Our Model Works Our model is simple: ● We produce a fundraiser concert and cover costs through donations and sponsorships. ● The nonprofit sells the tickets and keeps 100% of the ticket revenue. ● Local artists get paid well. ● Independent venues get a crowd and revenue. We do all the work Nonprofits get all the money The Austin music community thrives Everybody wins and enjoys a fun night for a great cause Triple Benefits: An ecosystem that funds bands + venues + nonprofits Creating an Ecosystem Emerging Artists ● All artists paid over market ● 80 performers enrolled so far ● Exposure to new audiences Independent Venues ● Fill rooms at off times ● New audiences ● High bar sales Nonprofits ● Raise money ● Community events without cost ● Activate new supporters Introduction Current grants to end-users such as venues and artists are vital They support our current community But we are missing opportunities to maximize impact and grow capacity Everyone is chasing the same pool of public, private, and charitable funding More Efficient Ways to Support the Music Community Financial Multiplier Every $ to IHD = 2x impact through ticket sales and donations Directly funding more nonprofits, artists, and venues How IHD Grows the Music Ecosystem Inclusive and Accessible Traditional fundraisers are for rich people We enable participation by the entire community ● Staff ● Volunteers ● People who are served Capacity Building for Nonprofits An entry point for new donors Events for groups that can’t put on an expensive gala Direct connection to the community Expand the Audience <10% of Austinites go to indie venues Our nonprofit partners and our early/safe events create an entry point that grows the audience Bands get new audiences that will rarely see them at a late show SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM BUILDERS AND CAPACITY BUILDERS Recommendation ● We recommend that capacity-building organizations should be considered for their own funding category ● That’s how we get scale and growth from our investment in arts ● Examples – Orgs that enable long- term growth beyond the grant a. Spaceflight Records b. Sonic Guild c. Interplanetary Help Desk ● ROI is stronger when you uplift the entire ecosystem Come on out to a show … We’ll ● do some good ● raise some cash ● get down, rock …