Item 2 - Backup - Presentation - Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Funding Programs Update — original pdf

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Funding Programs Update Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | July 8, 2026 November 2025: Re-Alignment in ACME Cultural Affairs & Investments Cultural Arts Grants Live Music Fund Grants Heritage Preservation Grants Creative Space Assistance Program Special Projects Musician / Promoter Capital Projects Live Music Venue Heritage Events Nexus Elevate Thrive ARPA Art for All UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts Austin Sister Cities International 2 2026 ACME Funding Programs Application window: October 21 - December 19, 2025 Contract window: Jan – Dec 2026 (or Dec 2027, if a two year award) FY26 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 4 2026 Award Announcements! ▪ 717 Awards announced on March 16th (1,606 applications submitted) ▪ $24 million in grant awards ($67+ million in requests) Austin Live Music Fund Creative Space Assistance Program • 396 awards • 809 applicants • $7.14 million • 22 awards • 64 applicants • $1.32 million Elevate • 277 awards • 687 applicants • $12.8 million Heritage Preservation Grant • 22 awards • 46 applicants • $3 million 5 FY26 Funding Disbursement Status (as of 7/6/26) Program Total Awardees Total Funds # of Awardees Paid % of Awardees Paid $ of funds disbursed % of funds disbursed ALMF Elevate CSAP HPG Thrive Nexus 396 277 22 22 35 75 $7,045,000 $12,616,773 $1,320,000 $3,000,274 $3,850,000 $500,000 370 252 19 14 27 0 96% 91% 86% 64% 77% 0% $3,779,000 $6,508,087 $553,741 $734,916 $2,713,500 $0 TOTAL 827 $28,332,047 682 82% $14,289,245 54% 52% 42% 24% 70% 0% 50% 6 2027 Guideline Enhancements Survey Results ▪ 360-degree perspective ▪ Panelist Reviewer Experience (68 responses) ▪ Application Experience Survey (152 responses) ▪ Commissioner Perspectives Survey (6 responses) ▪ The goal was to understand: ▪ Was the application design accessible/ clear? ▪ Did support systems and communications meet community needs? ▪ Was scoring/ panel processes consistent and understandable? ▪ What improvements should be prioritized ahead of the July 7th launch? ▪ Overall: The content of the programs is strong, but the experience of navigating them needs clearer structure, better tools, and more intentional support. 8 2027 Major Enhancements Highlights ▪ Application Window (single deadline): July 7th – August 18th ▪ No Intake Form/ Clear Process ▪ Automatic Tentative Eligibility Approval ▪ Wraparound questions: Interested in ACME space? Community showcases? Arts Education? ▪ Consistency across all programs – language, application, reporting ▪ Guideline edits for clarity/ continuity ▪ Awareness/ Access ($40k) ▪ 1 Community Navigator ($25k) – cannot apply for funding ▪ Application support, focus on Spanish language ▪ 10-15 ACME Ambassadors ($15k total; $1k each) – can apply for funding ▪ Co-Host workshops with ACME staff ▪ Promote programs through their channels 9 2026 Application Steps Intake Form (Part 1) Wait for Eligibility Form Fill out & Submit Eligibility Form (Part 2) Wait for Eligibility Determination Receive access to Application (Part 3) Complete Application Part 1: Demographics Complete Application Part 2: Program Specific Questions Complete Application Part 3: Attestations Submit 10 2027 Enhanced Application Steps ACME Eligibility Program Specific Eligibility & Application Demographics + Attestations Submit No delays for eligible applicants to have access to the full application Streamlined user experience (demographics/ attestations at the end) 11 2027 Guideline Enhancements ▪ Added minimum award amounts and structured ranges ▪ Added new or expanded scoring rubrics and tie-breakers across programs ▪ Added project summary question for all applications ▪ Strengthened definitions → especially “Applicant Entity,” “Arts Group,” and “Annual Expenses” ▪ Clarified anti-duplication rules (one application per program; no aliases) ▪ Maintained existing tourism marketing requirements but improved clarity, consistency, and alignment across programs. ▪ Deepened rigor across heritage and capital project requirements to strengthen preservation outcomes and documentation standards. ▪ Updated reading level of applications to 8th grade level for accessibility 12 Award Amounts for Thrive & Elevate Thrive Applicant Total Award over 2 years Annual Award 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit with Creative Space Annual expenses of $125,000 or greater Annual expenses of $85,000-$124,999 Annual expenses of $60,000-$84,999 501 (c)(3) Arts Nonprofit without Creative Space Annual expenses of $85,000 or greater Annual expenses of $60,000-$84,999 $250,000 $125,000 per year $200,000 $100,000 per year $170,000 $85,000 per year $170,000 $85,000 per year $160,000 $80,000 per year Elevate Applicant 501(c)(3) Arts Nonprofit Annual expenses $300,000 or greater Annual expenses of $100,001 to $299,999 Annual expenses of $50,000 to $100,000 Annual expenses of $30,000 to $50,000 Annual expenses under $30,000 State of Texas Nonprofits / Arts Group Annual expenses of $50,000 to $500,000 Annual expenses of $30,000 to $50,000 Annual expenses under $30,000 Individual Artist Annual expenses of $30,000 to $500,000 Annual expenses under $30,000 Award Amount $80,000 $60,000 $50,000 $30,000 $15,000 $40,000 $30,000 $15,000 $30,000 $15,000 13 Heritage Preservation Grant Enhancements ▪ Themes: expanded clarity, stronger requirements, improved alignment with heritage best practices. ▪ Key Changes: ▪ Added a definition for “Heritage” ▪ New/expanded application questions about impact, access, public benefit ▪ Stronger emphasis on connection between project and heritage district/site ▪ Clearer rules for residential-zoned property eligibility ▪ Allow contingency fees within PM fees for capital projects ▪ Multi-year (24 month) grant terms for larger awards ($150k heritage events, up to $250k capital) ▪ Clarified ineligible activities (e.g. events not focused on heritage preservation) ▪ Required site maps for capital projects ▪ Clearer historic designation distinctions and scoring updates ▪ Overall Impact: HPG becomes clearer, more consistent, more place-based, easier for applicants and reviewers to interpret. 14 2027 Program Overview $23 Million in Funds Available Austin Live Music Fund Elevate Heritage Preservation Thrive • $6 million • $11 million • $3 million • $3 million • ~290 awards • $5,000 - $70,000 • Musicians, independent promoters, live music venues • ~250 awards • $30,000 - $80,000 • Arts organizations, individual artists, creative businesses • ~30 awards • $50,000 - $250,000 • Preservation projects and activities • ~30 awards • $160,000 - $250,000 • Arts nonprofits deeply rooted in diverse cultures 16 All Applicant Requirements ▪ Be at least 18 years old ▪ Comply with the City of Austin ‘Conflict-of- Cultural Tourism: Interest’ policies and practices ▪ Live or be based in the Austin–Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ▪ Maintain City of Austin grant compliance for continued funding eligibility ▪ Awardees must promote their grant funded activities to attract tourists, convention delegates, and local audiences through marketing and promotional plans. They must also commit to the following: ▪ Maintain required insurance for grant-funded ▪ Place City of Austin branding and official activities (where applicable) ▪ Grant funded activities occur in Austin or its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), unless specified differently in individual guidelines ▪ Produce events and/or activities that are open & advertised to Austin residents, visitors, and tourists. publicity statement on all related marketing materials; ▪ Complete two tourism marketing training workshops; and ▪ Promote grant funded events on VisitAustin.org 17 Austin Live Music Fund Program Description: Encourages, promotes, improves, and showcases Austin’s diverse music industry by supporting activities marketed to visiting and potential tourists, including live and online events open to the public; studio, video, and merchandise production; promotional tours outside of Austin; broadcasting; and marketing and promotional campaigns. Award Amounts Applicant Award Amount Professional Musician & Independent Promoter $20,000 with 24-month Grant Agreement term Professional Musician & Independent Promoter $5,000 with 12-month Grant Agreement term Live Music Venue $70,000 with 12-month Grant Agreement term Evaluation and Review: ▪ Multiple-Choice responses autoscored ▪ Evidence reviewed by third-party administrators 18 Elevate Grant Program description: One-year agreements that support arts nonprofits, arts groups, and individual artists producing publicly accessible arts and culture activities. Eligible Applicants: ▪ Applicant types: 501(c)3 arts nonprofits of any budget size, Arts Groups (including State of Texas nonprofits) with budgets under $500k, Individual Artists with budgets under $500k ▪ Must have 2 years of creative production history in Austin ▪ Must be headquartered in Austin MSA Eligible Activities (must take place in Austin): ▪ Exhibitions; Live performances; Workshops, classes/camps that culminate in a public event; Public art Evaluation Review and Scoring: ▪ Panel Reviews (by discipline: Exhibition, Performance, Arts Education/Arts Service/ Arts Therapy) ▪ Reviewed with groups of similar budget size ▪ Live Panels ▪ Olympic Scoring 19 Heritage Preservation Grant Program description: Heritage Preservation Grant aims to preserve and promote preservation projects, expand access to historic spaces and heritage resources, showcase local stories rooted in history, support the creative economy, and make Austin’s history relevant and tangible – all with a strong focus on attracting and expanding audiences and engaging tourists seeking authentic experiences while promoting tourism and the convention and hotel industries. Applicant type: ▪ 501(c)(3) nonprofits OR For-profit business ▪ Must have 2 years of operating in the City of Austin / MSA ▪ Project / event site must be in Austin or Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) ▪ Project / event site must be open and advertised to tourists, visitors, and residents ▪ Preservation projects and programs must highlight history of site and invite tourists to explore historic sites Evaluation Review and Scoring: ▪ Interdepartmental review (Historic Preservation Office) ▪ Panel Reviews by subject matter experts (preservation architects, museum educators, etc.); Olympic-Style scoring 20 Heritage Preservation Grant: Details Heritage Events ▪ Historically Significant Site WITHOUT Historic Designation Capital Improvement Projects ▪ MAX Award Amount: $250,000 ▪ MAX Award Amount: $50,000, 12-month term ▪ Required: Historic Designation and Owner ▪ Local, state or national designation or Council- approved heritage districts ▪ MAX Award Amount: $150,000, 24-month term ▪ Must explain why it’s historically important and how it connects to the project or activities ▪ Eligible Activities: ▪ Heritage events, festivals, or programs ▪ Heritage, historic, or interpretative exhibits ▪ Tour Development: historic, heritage, legacy business Authorization ▪ Term: 24 months ▪ Eligible Activities ▪ ADA exterior access ▪ Façade elements ▪ Foundation stabilization ▪ Masonry rehabilitation / repair ▪ Professional preservation services and consultants ▪ Interior improvements: electrical, mechanical, flooring, masonry, and safety upgrades with sensitive treatment paired with exterior proposal 21 Thrive Grant Program description: Two-year agreements that offers focused investment to sustain and grow local 501(c)(3) arts nonprofits deeply rooted in and reflective of Austin’s diverse cultures. Eligible Applicants: ▪ Applicant types: 501(c)3 arts nonprofits with annual expenses above $60,000 ▪ Must have 5 years of creative production history in Austin ▪ Must be headquartered in Austin MSA Eligible Activities (must take place in Austin): ▪ Exhibitions; Live performances; Workshops, classes/camps that culminate in a public event; Public art Evaluation Review and Scoring: ▪ Panel Groups with Creative Space and without Creative Space ▪ Panel Groups by discipline: Exhibition, Performance, Arts Education/Arts Service/ Arts Therapy ▪ Reviewed with groups of similar budget size ▪ Live Panels; Olympic Scoring 22 How to Apply Application Process ▪ Familiarize yourself with Program Guidelines ▪ Preview Application Questions on ACME website ▪ Prepare Required Evidence ▪ Attend a Workshop! Ask ACME staff questions! ▪ Click the “Apply Now” button 24 Application Process (step-by-step) 25 Waterfall Application Form = No waiting! 26 Scoring and Accountability Detailed Rubrics Posted Online 28 Accountability Measures for HOT Usage All grantees must complete required tourism marketing training. All funded events must be posted on VisitAustin.com for visitor visibility. ACME branding and publicity statements are required on all marketing materials. Grantees submit Progress and Final Reports documenting attendance, demographics, jobs, and tourism impact. Expense documentation is required and reviewed to ensure HOT-eligible use. Final payments are held until all deliverables are submitted and approved. ACME provides ongoing contract monitoring and shares program data publicly. 29 Other Important Information! 2027 Application: Panel Needs ▪ 3 Programs in this cycle use the Panel Process (Elevate, Heritage Preservation, Thrive) ▪ 1068 estimated applications that will require Panel Process ▪ 46 estimated number of Panels ▪ 25 estimated number of applications per Panel ▪ 322 panelists needed! ▪ Minimum number if we want 7 panelists per Panel ▪ Recruitment is now open via Panelist Interest Form ▪ Currently making enhancements to training, support materials, etc. (per survey responses) ▪ $500 compensation 31 2027 Application Direct Assistance ▪ Bookings Link for 1:1 meetings with staff ▪ Virtual Open Office Hours ▪ Tuesday, June 23, 10am – Noon ▪ Tuesday, July 7, 10am– Noon ▪ Tuesday, July 14, 10am – Noon ▪ Tuesday, July 21, 10am – Noon ▪ Tuesday, July 28, 10am – Noon ▪ Tuesday, August 4, 10am – Noon ▪ Tuesday, August 11, 10am – Noon ▪ Tuesday, August 18th, 10am – 6pm 32 2027 Application Workshops (so far!) ▪ Workshops (Eventbrite Collection) ▪ Thursday, July 9, 6pm: Elevate Workshop Co-Hosted by RichesArt Gallery ▪ Monday, July 13, 2 pm: ALMF Workshop Co-Hosted by Red River Cultural District at Stubbs ▪ Tuesday, July 14, 6 pm: Elevate/ALMF Workshop Co- Hosted by/at Radio East ▪ Wednesday, July 15, 11am: Heritage Preservation Workshop Co-Hosted by/at Preservation Austin ▪ Saturday, July 18, 11am: Elevate Workshop Co-Hosted by/at Future Front ▪ Wednesday, July 22, 11am: Ask Us Anything (ACME Staff) at University Hills Branch Library ▪ Friday, July 24, 10 am: ALMF Workshop Co-Hosted by Austin Texas Musicians at Monks Jazz Club ▪ Thursday, August 13, 7:30-9pm: Elevate/ALMF Workshop Co-Hosted by dadageek at dadaLab 33 2027 Programs Launch Timeline June 2026 August 18, 2026 Sep. 2026 Nov. 2026 January 2027 Nexus Award Announcement Applications Close! ACME Website updated •Assistance Calendar •Application Questions •Rubrics •Support Materials Program Evaluation/ Scoring begins Panelists review period Nexus Opens! 2027 Awards Announced FY27 Contracts/Payments Applications Open! •Austin Live Music Fund •Elevate •Heritage Preservation •Thrive Panelists Trained July 7, 2026 Aug. 2026 Panel Meetings Scores Finalized Oct. 2026 2027 Appeals 2026 awards end (1Y) Dec. 2026 34 Questions? www.austintexas.gov/acmegrants Laura.Odegaard@austintexas.gov