Item 7 Supporting Document — original pdf

Backup

Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Program Guidelines - what’s new? Presented by Morgan Messick Assistant Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME) Music Commission Meeting | July 7, 2025 What’s new for ACME Funding Programs? Unified Funding Goals & Improved User Experience • Familiar grant programs, with enhanced eligibility, transparency, and processes to build community trust • A new guideline format creates one set of funding program guidelines vs. individual guidelines with ACME priorities elevated, creating alignment across all funding programs • Application improvements include streamlined intake processes and eligibility screenings before applications open • Funding priorities are clearly defined to focus on creative space, arts nonprofit, and artist resiliency • Enhanced transparency and accessibility will be a focus as we move through our application process See the full “What’s New?” document at publicinput.com/thecreativereset Eligibility, Scoring, Evaluation & Grant Awards • Eligibility groups like applicants together to create more alignment in the competitive categories (e.g. nonprofits with space compete as a category, nonprofits without space compete as a separate category, etc.) • Universal Appeals process adopted across ACME programs • Strengthened policies to prevent conflicts-of-interest and double dipping of grant funds, ensuring equitable distribution of funds to more individuals and organizations • Award amounts have changed across programs, reflecting community and commission feedback See the full “What’s New?” document at publicinput.com/thecreativereset Measuring Program Impacts Austin Live Music Fund Applicant Award Amount Professional Musician & Independent Promoter $20,000 Professional Musician & Independent Promoter $5,000 Live Music Venue with operating budget over $100,000 $70,000 Grant Awards are for one and two-year terms and are based on the amount the awardee selects in their application that most appropriately matches their needs. Scoring Criteria Creative Space Assistance Program Applicant Award Amount All Applicants must have at least a $120,000 operating budget: • Live Music Venue • Performance Venue / Theatre • Museum / Art Gallery • Multi-Use $60,000 Grant Awards are for a one-year term and are based on the amount the awardee selects in their application that most appropriately matches their needs. Scoring Criteria Our Plan to Support the Ecosystem Realigning our Funding Programs • Access for All - Bridge legacy organizations and emerging creatives • Enhance Transparency - Demonstrate accountability measures and transparency tools that close the gap between community concerns and the funding process • Be of Service - Offer more support and resources Final Thoughts • We’ve listened to community feedback and responded with updated program designs, more transparent processes, and intentional support structures. • As we move towards a launch in the fall of 2025, we will roll out finalized guidelines, questions, information on technical assistance, application workshops, and other support! Call to Action • Please provide final feedback on our guidelines by July 13, via Public Input • We hope to have your support moving forward as we brief City Leadership on our updates and enhancements QUESTIONS