Tourism Commission- RRCD Update June2025 — original pdf

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Tourism Commission July 9, 2025 RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT About Our ORGANIZATION The Red River Cultural District is a creative community providing authentic Austin experiences through diverse local music, art and food for every fan and guest. In an ever-changing ATX, our nonprofit seeks to PRESERVE and GROW Red River's creative, business, and music scene. As a community rooted in artists, musicians, performers, music venues, cultural institutions and small businesses, the District embodies the soul and heart of Austin. WHO ARE WE 🎸 10+ Iconic Live Music Venues – These independent venues serve as launching pads for local musicians, artists, and performers, fostering talent and keeping Austin’s music scene alive. 🎶 Free, Community-Powered Music Festivals – Events like Free Week (January) and Hot Summer Nights (July) bring over 500+ local artists together each year, supporting not just musicians but also our local creative industry—photographers, videographers, designers, and more. Our events attract over 30,000+ attendees! 🏆 Red River’s Legacy as a State-Designated Cultural District – Recognized by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2020, our district is dedicated to preserving Austin’s live music heritage for future generations. 🎤 A Stage for Thousands of Local Artists – Live music happens here 365 days a year, creating an essential pipeline for Austin’s grassroots musicians to grow and thrive. 💼 Hundreds of Jobs in Hospitality & Tourism – From bartenders and sound engineers to security staff and operators, the district supports local jobs and keeps Austin’s nightlife economy thriving. PRESERVE + GROW AUSTIN’S MUSIC MILE With a mission to preserve and grow Austin Red River's creative, business, and music scene our efforts are rooted in several initiatives and programs. FREE WEEK HOT SUMMER NIGHTS DISTRICT DIALOGUES CULTURAL CURRENTS RED RIVER DAZE SUPPORTING MUSICIANS + CREATIVES EVENTS About Our FESTIVAL FREE WEEK Free Week (January) Eat, Drink, Celebrate, Live Music. Free Week started in 2003 at the legendary Emo’s (6th and Red River) as a way to keep the club’s lights on and staff working during the dead of winter when business was historically slow. What started as a on-venue annual event grew into a movement rooted in the Red River Cultural District, with tens of thousands attending annually. Free Week 2025 IMPACTS January 3 + 4 , 2025 Live Performances 90+ 390+ Estimated Paid Artists + Performers 2 Nights 19 Participating Businesses 12 Music Venues 14,000+ Festival Attendees 10 Artists, Photographers, Videographers, Designers, and Creatives 100% FREE FW25 Marketing HIGHLIGHTS With an event like Free Week having the historic ride and tradition that it does in Austin, our focus is on consistency and attracting new attendees. Our strategy is heavy on reaching local and regional fans but historically attracting both Texas new comers and folks traveling out of state. We secured access to print, digital, radio and television exposure. With cover features in local press, and support through popular print outlets like the Chronicle, and a feature via local television programming Free Week was front and center after the holiday season of December. 2 Media Partners 100+ Press Hits 59+ Million Media Impressions FW25 Programming HIGHLIGHTS With an inclusive spirit, we curated a diverse program to ensure there was something for everyone at our festival, with a strong focus on supporting the creative community of Austin Local vendor market and taco pop up was incorporated into our new programming offering patrons a mix of music, culture and food Nonprofits and partners were invited to table at our community space hosted by Empire during Free Week Dedicated partnerships to support and market the District’s local businesses Food and beverage specials offered throughout the weekend About Our FESTIVALS HOT SUMMER NIGHTS Hot Summer Nights is an FREE annual three-day district-wide music and arts festival held in the Red River Cultural District located in the heart of downtown Austin. Founded in 2017, Hot Summer Nights was originally created in an effort to provide additional revenue to district members, as well as paid opportunities for musicians and artists in the traditionally slower summer months. “This is the last real remnant of old Austin, where everything is weird and eclectic and original” - Austin American- Statesman (7.20.24) Hot Summer Nights 2024 IMPACTS July 18 - 19 - 20 , 2024 3 Nights 23 Participating Businesses 14 Music Venues 167 Live Performances 544 Paid Artists + Performers 15,000+ Festival Attendees 1 Dedicated Festival Hotel Partner 100% FREE HSN24 Marketing HIGHLIGHTS With a focus on music lovers in mind; our strategy was to reach fans local, regional, statewide and across the Unites States. We secured access to print, digital, radio and television exposure. With cover features in local press, and support through popular print outlets like Tribeza, and Austin Monthly Hot Summer Nights news spread. We additionally collaborated closely with local entty Visit Austin with a focus on generating tourists and visitors. 3 Media Partners 130+ Press Hits 75+ Million Media Impressions HSN24 Programming HIGHLIGHTS Hot Summer Nights unfolds in the dog days of summer, and we embraced the longer days as an opportunity to introduce all-ages and family-friendly programming alongside our music and creative offerings. VINTAGE, HANDMADE & UP-CYCLED POP-UP MARKET during Hot Summer Nights, featuring curated vintage, handcrafted goods and incredible thrifted finds bringing 400+ visitors to the District Morning Yoga at Waterloo Park featuring a local DJ set attracting 125+ yogi’s Dedicated kids programming via School of Rock performance and free pizza for the kiddos at the Mohawk Food and beverage specials offered throughout the weekend to support 10+ local businesses HOT SUMMER NIGHTS 2025 HIGHLIGHTS Largest music line up in all 7 years of the festival Night Market in partnership Future Front Texas Record participating venues and businesses First ever HOT SUMMER Matinee Programming Family and kiddo friendly programming in partnership with Waterloo Greenway Conservancy Launch of a vinyl record opportunity for participating artists Nonprofit Community Hub DISTRICT DIALOGUES RED RIVER PROGRAMS DISTRICT DIALOGUES is a series designed to highlight, preserve, and promote the rich musical traditions and cultural history of Austin. This quarterly event brings together artists, cultural historians, local organizations, companies, and the public to raise awareness about the importance of music heritage and its role in shaping our local Austin and Red River identity. March 1, 2025 July 2025 October 2025 November 2025 CULTURAL CURRENTS RED RIVER PROGRAMS The Red River Cultural District and the Downtown Austin Alliance have partnered to research, document, and showcase the Red River District’s rich history, music, and artistic traditions. This initiative is aimed at capturing and preserving the narrative history of the district during a period of significant change. The outcomes of this effort will serve as foundational assets to ensure the ongoing preservation and promotion of the Cultural District’s historical and artistic legacy. GOALS: Preserve local stories, songs, and artistic expressions for future generations. Strengthen the district’s sense of identity by curating and sharing the stories of its artists, musicians, and historical figures. Recognize and celebrate the contributions of diverse cultures, communities, and artists that have shaped the district’s unique character. Acacia Heritage Consulting , API Productions LLP, and Limbacher and Godfrey RED RIVER DAZE RED RIVER PROGRAMS Activating Nightlife Spaces for Daytime Exploration This initiative reimagines nightlife venues as vibrant daytime cultural hubs. By activating music venues during the day, this project brings a fresh energy to these spaces through eclectic daytime music performances, pop-up food experiences, and interactive programming for all ages. The goal is to breathe life into spaces that are underutilized during the day offering Red River daytime experiences that blend creativity, social connection, and District exploration. Daytime activation will be foundational as the Red River Cultural District evolves with the eastern part of Downtown. Soundtrack to the Future: Red River Cultural Districts 5+ Year Strategic Plan Provide a clear vision for the Cultural District for the next 5+ years. Serve as a roadmap for decision making, strategic partnerships, financial planning, policy advocacy, and investments. Elevate the Cultural District organization as a trusted leader and steward of the past, present and future of Red River. Guidance towards a successful and sustainable future as the management entity of the Cultural District Examine the future of Red River as a place – a destination, a community, and as an asset to downtown and as a space rich with culture, tourism, economic development, and as the heart beat to our City’s live music scene. HORIZON ITEMS + CHALLENGES + OPPORTUNITIES Project Connect Stream Realty acquisitions ACT Plan future street reconfigurations Downtown Density Bonus Place-based Incentives District Framework Palm District Plan Downtown Austin Plan Update Our Future 35 Convention Center Redevelopment Innovation District Waterloo Greenway Trail Construction Downtown Plan Update CORE CHALLENGES Parking (patron + employee + musician) Affordablity and property ownership Built enviornment Downtown visitorshipSafety Behavioral changes in consumers Parking Organizational Resources Surrounding development, redevelopment, and Future projects Time - planning vs implementation ACTIVE EFFORTS + WINS Red River Cultural District Economic Analysis Fund Development Strategy Retention and expansion of the Live Music Fund Incentive and economic tool development Secured Equitable Cultural DistrIct Funding in partnership with City of Austin A seat at the table Sound Assessment and Disclosure Ordiance THANK YOU! Facebook: @ redriverculturaldistrict    Instagram: @ redriverculturaldistrict LinkedIn: Red River Cultural District INQUIRES TO: Nicole@redriverculturaldistrict.org