20260302-010: FY26-27 Budget Recommendations — original pdf

Recommendation

MUSIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20260302-010 Date: 3/2/2026 Subject: Music Commission FY26-27 Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Commissioner Silva Seconded By: Vice-Chair Carvalho Recommendation As Austin continues to grow and evolve, the Music Commission recommends the following FY 2026–2027 budget priorities to advance inclusive development while strengthening the sustainability and long-term growth of Austin’s musicians, music industry professionals, venues, and broader ecosystem. Music Commission FY26–27 Budget Recommendations As Austin continues to grow and evolve, the Music Commission recommends the following FY 2026–2027 budget priorities to advance inclusive development while strengthening the sustainability and long-term growth of Austin’s musicians, music industry professionals, venues, and broader ecosystem. Strengthen the Austin Live Music Fund & HOT Investments Allocate resources for ongoing program evaluation, impact measurement, and stakeholder engagement to refine award strategies. ● Ensure funding structures prioritize broad inclusion and access. Allocate dedicated funding to implement community-based outreach strategies that expand awareness of City grants, programs, and economic opportunities across the City’s diverse diaspora. ● Fund partnerships with community radio, hyperlocal media outlets, and culturally specific organizations to promote City music programs. Conduct fiscal impact study on HOT revenue fluctuations in FY26-27 (SXSW downsizing, Convention Center renovation, tourism shifts etc.). Develop risk mitigation strategies and alternative funding reserves to protect music funding during downturns. Fund all staff salaries for the City’s Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME) from the General Fund. · Allocate resources to explore and pilot new funding streams, including Public-private partnerships, Sponsorship frameworks, Philanthropic collaborations, Development incentives. Allocate seed funding to launch pilot initiatives. Creative & Cultural District Implementation ● Provide continued funding and staff capacity to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of creative and cultural district tools that enable creative businesses to benefit from new land use and planning incentives. Increase Visibility of Music Venues Citywide Fund a citywide marketing and branding initiative focused on venues within and outside of downtown. ● Develop digital mapping tools highlighting venues across all council districts. ● Support neighborhood-based promotional campaigns. ● Partner with Visit Austin and local organizations to expand promotional reach. Music Heritage Markers Program ● Establish a funded partnership program with Preservation Austin to create music history markers in all 10 council districts. Include interactive and digital storytelling components linking historic artists to current venues and neighborhoods. Invest in promotional and wayfinding signage in central music districts to highlight live music destinations. Establish funding to expand AACME website information on genesis, evolution and use of HOT funds for Cultural and Music Grants Establish ATX Musician Hall of fame at the new Convention Center Sustainability of HAAM and SIMS Sustainability review to identify stable, long-term funding mechanisms for the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), SIMS Foundation, and HOME Austin. Explore options such as multi-year funding agreements, public-private matching models, and other partnership frameworks. Also prioritize strategies to expand access to services for currently underserved and underrepresented music industry professionals. Workforce & Industry Development Invest in music workforce and business development programs, including business technical assistance, apprenticeships and career pathway development, and training in music technology and production. Programs should also address emerging tools such as AI and the evolving legal landscape surrounding AI in music. Prioritize programs that serve emerging and mid-career artists. Affordable Rehearsal & Performance Space Increase funding for affordable, city-owned, or subsidized rehearsal and performance spaces. ● Allocate capital funds for acquisition or build-out of facilities. ● Support operating subsidies to maintain affordability. ● Explore co-location models within existing city facilities. Reduce Regulatory & Operational Burdens Fund a music industry regulatory audit to identify and streamline Permitting processes, Zoning barriers, Code compliance challenges Allocate liaison to assist venues and creative businesses in navigating city systems. Venue Safety Support Programs Develop and fund safety support initiatives that do not increase financial burdens on venues. ● Explore city-supported security or safety training programs. ● Consider insurance assistance or risk-pooling strategies. Transportation Access to Music Events Partner with local transit authorities to fund free or subsidized transit options for music and cultural events. Dedicated Music Office Role Establish a dedicated nighttime music office staff position (full- or part-time) to serve as a liaison between city government and the live music/nightlife industry. Support for Small/Mid-Size Festivals Provide city support for small and medium music festivals (e.g., via fee waivers and permitting assistance) to help showcase a wider range of Austin’s musical genres; broaden use of city’s various park facilities. Description of Recommendation to Council This recommendation outlines FY 2026–2027 budget recommendations from the Music Commission proposing investments in funding stability, cultural infrastructure, artist services, workforce development, venue support, and regulatory improvements to strengthen the long-term vitality of Austin’s music ecosystem. Vote: 10-0 For: Nagavalli Medicharla, Pedro Carvalho, Joe Silva, Nelson Aguilar, Tami Blevins, Clarissa Cardenas, Clayton England, Cornice “Ray” Price Jr., Penny Jo Pullus, Celeste Quesada Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: Shelbi Mitchell