20250303-011: Recommendation on Budget for FY26 — original pdf

Recommendation

MUSIC COMMISSION BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FY25-26 20250303-11 Nagavalli Medicharla Date: March 3, 2025 Subject: Music Commission budget recommendations for FY25-26 Motioned By: Recommendation: The Music Commission recommends to City Council investments in Austin music economy initiatives to sustain, grow, and transform our music industry. Description of Recommendation to Council: The City of Austin has recently brought several related divisions under the umbrella of the newly created department of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME). The Music Commission recommends the following budget considerations to support and strengthen ACME’s endeavors going forward: Tami Blevins Seconded By: • Fund all ACME staff salaries from General Fund, not HOT, reserving HOT funding for grants and other programs that represent direct investment in the music and cultural arts economies. • Establish a nighttime music office role (full-time / part-time) to support and engage with the local nightlife and live music industry. • Extend the reach of efforts to publicize grants and city performance opportunities by incorporating community radio and hyperlocal/neighborhood publications into the marketing mix. • Invest in city-owned or subsidized rehearsal and performance spaces available to artists at low cost. • Provide city support for small and medium festivals that present a wide range of Austin’s music genres, via reduced fees and permitting assistance. • Expand the City’s live music events programming to give artists more paid opportunities. • Invest in promotional and wayfinding signage in the urban core to promote live music. • Fund resources and programming which help small venues and independent promoters navigate city policies. • Invest in public safety programs for live music spaces without putting financial strain on venues. • Provide free public transportations to free and open-to-the-public music events such as Free Week in the Red River Cultural District. 1 of 2 Rationale The music industry is vital to the economic and cultural life of our city and deserves the same investment as other key growth industries in Austin. • The Austin music industry is a major economic driver and a core component of our city’s brand. • Funding activities that provide more paid work to Austin musicians can help protect the city's economic growth. This includes supporting music venues, festivals, and events that hire local musicians, as well as initiatives that provide training and resources for musicians to build their careers and generate more income. • By investing in the music industry and supporting musicians in Austin, the city can maintain the vibrancy of its cultural identity and ensure the continued contribution of the music industry to the local economy. Vote: For: 6 – Nelson Aguilar, Tami Blevins, Pedro Carvalho, Nagavalli Medicharla, Anne-Charlotte Patterson, Ray Price Against: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2- Scott Strickland, Celeste Quesada Attest: ____________________________________________ Shelbi Mitchell Shelbi Mitchell, Music & Entertainment Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment 2 of 2