Supporting Document for FY26 Live Music Fund Update — original pdf
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Funding Programs Update Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | January 5, 2026 AACME Funding Programs: Extension REVISED DEADLINE: December 19th at 6:59 p.m. WHY? ▪ New funding process for our community. ▪ Applicants who submitted their intake forms on time have adequate support and time to complete a brand-new process. ▪ Commitment to accessibility, equity, and meeting the community where they are. 2 REVISED Funding Program Timeline December 19, 2025 February 2026 April 2026 REVISED Application Deadline REVISED Panel Meetings Occur 6:59 PM REVISED Funding distribution begins (Activities are still for calendar year 2026) REVISED Austin Live Music Fund and Creative Space Assistance Program scored REVISED Panelists trained and assigned (Elevate and Heritage Preservation Grant) REVISED Funding Decisions announced Nexus Application Opens Thrive, Elevate, Austin Live Music Fund, and Heritage Preservation Grant application cycle begins January 2026 March 2026 July 2026 3 Funding Programs: Funds Available Austin Live Music Fund • $5,000 - $70,000 • Music Industry (musicians, independent promoters, venues) $7 Million ~370 awards Creative Space Assistance Program • $60,000 • Commercial creative spaces $1.6 Million ~25 awards Elevate • Up to $30,000 - $80,000 • Arts organizations, individual artists, creative businesses $13 Million ~250 awards Heritage Preservation Grant • $50,000 - $250,000 • Preservation projects and activities $3 Million ~25 awards 4 Eligible (Application sent) Ineligible (No Application sent) Applications Submitted Funding Programs: Application Status • 2,085 Intake Forms Submitted (2,065 EN; 20 SP) Austin Live Music Fund Creative Space Assistance Elevate Heritage Preservation EN SP EN SP EN SP EN SP Eligibility Forms Sent Eligibility Forms Submitted 1,377 1,111 16 299 10 6 138 0 1,399 1,060 25 247 8 14 125 1 991 4 72 0 855 9 67 1 ALL PROGRAMS TOTAL 3,381 2,455 1,999 120 2 66 0 205 5 58 0 456 806 3 64 0 680 7 46 0 1,607 5 Funding Programs: Austin Live Music Fund Detailed Applicant Breakdown ▪ $70,000 Live Music Venue Applicants - 46 ▪ $20,000 Applicants – 590 ▪ 49 Independent Promoters ▪ 541 Professional Musicians (3 Spanish) ▪ $5,000 Applicants – 173 ▪ 9 Independent Promoters ▪ 164 Professional Musicians 6 Funding Programs: Application Comparison Austin Live Music Fund ▪ 2024: 904 Submissions ▪ 2025: Elevate ▪ 2024: 554 Submissions ▪ 2025: ▪ 1,117 Eligibility Forms submitted ▪ 1,074 Eligibility Forms submitted ▪ 24% increase ▪ 93% increase ▪ 810 Applications Forms submitted ▪ 687 Application Forms submitted ▪ 10% decrease ▪ 24% increase Creative Space Assistance Program ▪ 2023: 152 Submissions ▪ 2025: Heritage Preservation Grant ▪ 2024: 22 Submissions ▪ 2025: ▪ 138 Eligibility Forms submitted ▪ 126 Eligibility Forms submitted ▪ 9% decrease ▪ 64 Applications submitted ▪ 58% decrease ▪ 473% increase ▪ 46 Application Forms submitted ▪ 109% increase 7 Funding Programs: Application Assistance ▪ 10 Workshops (6 In Person; 4 Virtual) ▪ 168 Attendees (18 total hours) ▪ Opportunities in English, Spanish, ASL; Recordings on website ▪ 14 Open Office Hours sessions (virtual and in-person) • 362 Attendees (364 total hours) ▪ 142+ 1:1 Meetings via Bookings ▪ 158 Attendees (71 hours) ▪ 20+ Community Events ▪ 2,050 attendees (40 total hours) 493 hours of assistance 2,738 people assisted ▪ The Long Center: Email ApplicationHelp@thelongcenter.org; (512) 457-5161 (M-F, 9-11am) ▪ 17,000+ Direct Messages sent to help shepherd potential applicants through pipeline 8 Questions? www.austintexas.gov/acme/grants-funding