20220207-3b: Live Music Fund — original pdf

Recommendation

MUSIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220207-3b Date: February 7, 2022 Subject: Live Music Fund Motioned By: Vice-chair Medicharla Seconded By: Commissioner Limon Motion: For the Music Commission to vote on option one, which is, rolling out a program including all eligible uses and all eligible applicants from the first year onwards, or option two, to roll out a pilot program including all eligible uses and with Musicians and Independent Promoters as eligible applicants. Include “Live Music Venue Promoter” as an eligible applicant in the second year of the program. Recommendation The Music Commission recommends Option 2: Initiate a pilot program which 1. Includes all eligible uses (live music performance PLUS music industry production activities which support the music ecosystem) and with Musicians and Independent Promoters as eligible applicants 2. Includes Live Music Venue Promoter as an eligible applicant in year two of the program 3. Implement metrics to measure outcomes and to ensure accountability Description of Recommendation to Council A Live Music Fund Working Group formed at the November 2021 Music Commission to consider expanding fund uses and eligible applicants pool to robustly sustain and grow the Austin music economy. Working Group Participants: Nagavalli Medicharla (Working Group Chair, nominated), Chaka Mahone, Lauryn Gould, Scott Strickland, Stuart Sullivan, Mobley, Harold McMillan, Morgan Davis, Rebecca Reynolds, Cody Cowan, Tomar Williams, Alex Vallejo Meetings: 3 total (Nov. 2021, Dec. 2021, Jan. 2022); 1.5-2.5hr duration each  Working Group Outcomes 1. Eligible uses Broaden eligible uses where a Musician can spend grant funds to include ➔ Recording Studio Production ➔ Music Video Production ➔ Publishing/Sync Licensing ➔ Distribution (streaming services) ➔ Replication (vinyl, CD, cassette printing, etc.) ➔ Broadcasting (TV, radio, podcasts) in addition to producing live music performances 2. Eligible applicants Broaden eligible applicants to include Live Music Venue Promoters in addition to Musicians and Independent Promoters 3. Metrics Develop and implement metrics to measure outcomes and to ensure accountability (metrics from fund administrator and vendors incl. venues) 4. Fund Rollout Option 1: Rollout a program including all eligible uses and all eligible applicants (as stated above) from the first year onwards or Option 2: Rollout a pilot program including all eligible uses (as stated above) and with Musicians and Independent Promoters as eligible applicants. Include Live Music Venue Promoter as an eligible applicant in a future year (later updated to “Include Live Music Venue Promoter as an eligible applicant in the second year of the program”). The Working Group reiterated that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles via PIE (Preservation, Innovation and Elevation) guidelines should serve as the core guiding principles for administering the Live Music Fund Rationale: The working group consisted of representatives of multiple facets of the Austin music industry representing years of industry expertise. There was broad consensus on expansion of eligible uses to the ecosystem and inclusion of venue promoters as eligible applicants. The working group did not reach a unique conclusion on fund/program rollout and therefore, presented two  options (Option 1 and Option 2 above) for rollout at the Music Commission; the commissioners voted with a majority for Option 2. The Music Commission is excited to advance these recommendations to the City Council and kick off implementation of this historic public investment in Austin music. Vote Option One For: 3 (Commissioners Garcia, Vice-Chair Medicharla, Chair Patterson) Against: 7 (Commissioners Strickland, Limon, Mahone, Rosenthal, Reynolds, Gould, Pike) Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 (Commissioners Sullivan) Option Two For: 7 (Commissioners Strickland, Limon, Mahone, Rosenthal, Reynolds, Gould, Pike) Against: 3 (Commissioners Garcia, Vice-Chair Medicharla, Chair Patterson) Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 (Commissioner Sullivan) Attest: Kim McCarson, Liaison