Recommendation 20240108-013: Gap funding for Red River Cultural District — original pdf

Recommendation

MUSIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240108-13 Seconded By: Commissioner Blevins Date: January 8, 2024 Subject: Music Commission Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Chair Medicharla Recommendation Support the RRCD with GAP funding on par with other cultural districts until a comprehensive district plan is complete. Description of Recommendation to Council Support the Red River Cultural District (RRCD), a State and Local Cultural District with gap funding on par with other cultural districts currently being supported, in the interim whilst a comprehensive district plan is being prepared by the City of Austin. Rationale: The Red River Cultural District (RRCD) was designated a State Cultural District in 2020 by the Texas Commission of the Arts and a local Cultural District by the City of Austin in 2013. With over dozen independent music venues, RRCD provides significant support to local musicians and performers annually through direct financial support and fosters 1000+ music and service industry jobs in the district, also serving as a backbone to tourism and economic generators such as SXSW, ACL, Levitation, Oblivion Access, GTHS Oktoberfest and more. The district annually hosts two signature all-ages free-to-public events (Free Week and Hot Summer Nights in the winter and summer months when business historically slows down). The music commission recommends that gap funding be provided to RRCD on par with other cultural districts currently being supported, in the interim whilst a comprehensive district plan is being prepared by the City of Austin. This gap funding would help provide vital support to RRCD venues and to the impact they have on artists and industry workers, while other horizontal issues including creation of the comprehensive district plan are being addressed. Vote For: 9 (Commissioners Medicharla, Patterson, Rosenthal, Aguilar, Bartell, Blevins, Gould, Quesada, Strickland) Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 (Commissioners Davila, Mahone) Attest: Shelbi Mitchell _______________________________________