ATX Arts and Culture Commission News

🎨 Calling All Artists! 🎨

We're excited to announce Five Open Calls with the City of Austin's Art in Public Places Program! Whether you're a local or state professional visual artist, this is your chance to create public art in Austin. Commission budgets range from $100,000 to $625,000! 💰

✅ Applications Open: September 24, 2024

🛑 Applications Close: October 22, 2024

Explore support opportunities & begin your application: https://www.austintexas.gov/aipp

The next round of calls for Art in Public Places open 9/24! Attend one of their info sessions to learn more!
https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=434379

Just one more day before Nexus Fall/Winter Grant applications close! Finish your app or get started 👉 createaustin.org/nexus/

DASA Artist Residency CALL FOR ARTIST Downtown Austin Space Activation Artist Residency Program presented by Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation in partnership with Tribeza Are you an artist looking for a vibrant space to ignite your creativity? The Downtown Austin Space Activation (DASA) Program invites artists to breat...

< ARTIST IN RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITY >

Budget: $70,000
Activated: 07/24/2024
Deadline: 08/20/2024

This call is for an Artist-in-Residence program with the City of Austin’s Our Future 35 Cap & Stitch Program. The residency is anticipated to begin in October 2024 and conclude in June 2026.
https://www.publicartist.org/call.cfm?id=6819

Info Session TODAY 6-7pm:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-future-35-artist-in-residence-opportunity-information-session-tickets-957486316347?aff=erelexpmlt

** NEXUS Info Session Saturday, 8/3, 11am-1pm **

"Presented by the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department, this event will include a live presentation and a question-and-answer (Q&A) session. Individual artists, creative businesses and nonprofit art organizations are invited to attend this in-person Information Session for the 2024 Fall/Winter cycle of the Nexus Grant.

Presented by the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department, this event will include a live presentation and a question-and-answer (Q&A) session.

The presentation will begin at 11AM, please make sure to arrive at this time."

This registration is for IN-PERSON assistance ONLY.

If you require Spanish additional assistance or interpretation for these support sessions, please contact The Long Center at [email protected] or call 512-457-5161, Monday–Friday, from 9–11 AM

Si necesita asistencia adicional o interpretación en español para estas sesiones de apoyo, póngase en contacto con The Long Center en [email protected] o 512-457-5161, de lunes a viernes, de 9.00 a 11.00 horas.

NEXUS Fall/Winter 2024 Grant Info Session/Sesión Informativa (IN-PERSON) Learn about the NEXUS Cultural Arts Grant

We’re live! Small arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, and arts groups that produce culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content for the public can now apply for the $5,000 ! 
 
✅ Review eligibility 
🆘 Access helpful resources 
❗ Apply by August 27: https://www.austintexas.gov/nexus

———

🚨¡Estamos en vivo! ¡Las pequeñas organizaciones artísticas y culturales, los artistas individuales y los grupos artísticos que producen contenido artístico diverso y dinámico en materia cultural para el público ahora pueden presentar la solicitud para la subvención Nexus de $5,000! 
 
✅ Repase elegibilidad 
🆘 Acceda a recursos útiles 
❗ Solicite antes del 27 de agosto: https://www.austintexas.gov/nexus

COA Budget Hearing 8/1, 10am

https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=433250

Join me for a District 10 budget town hall and resource fair at Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church (8134 Mesa Drive) on Monday, August 5, starting at 6:30 PM.

I will discuss my plans to advance our District 10 priorities, and the City Budget Office will offer a presentation on the City Manager’s proposed budget and adoption process.

I’ve invited several City departments and partners to table at the town hall and answer questions you may have about their services, including:

Austin Fire Department’s Wildfire Division
Austin Water
Austin Emergency Management
Austin Energy
City of Austin Government’s We All Belong program
United Way for Greater Austin
City of Austin Capital Delivery Services
CapMetro
Travis Central Appraisal District

I hope to see you there! To request ASL interpretation or other language assistance, please email [email protected] by July 29.

If you are not able to attend and have specific questions about the budget, you can contact our office by emailing us at [email protected].

Nexus is on the horizon. All Application information is now on the City of Austin website: https://www.austintexas.gov/nexus

**Recursos en Español**
�https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/EDD/CulturalArts/Nexus_HOT/Nexus%202024/FY24%20Nexus%20Fall%20Guidelines_Spanish-Updated.pdf

�https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/EDD/CulturalArts/Nexus_HOT/Nexus%202024/2024%20Nexus%20Info%20Session%20Spanish.pdf

**English Resources**
�https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/EDD/CulturalArts/Nexus_HOT/Nexus%202024/Updated_24_25_Nexus%20Guidelines-English.pdf

💥https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/EDD/CulturalArts/Nexus_HOT/Nexus%202024/2024Fall_Winter_Nexus_Grant_Information_Session.pdf

⚖️🎤FYI: City Council is currently having their budget work sessions, which include *opportunities for public comment*. The Chairs of the Arts Commission have been making the rounds to meet with City Council members and/or their staff members to discuss the budget recommendations. It's been resoundingly communicated that it is a very tight budget year with many competing priorities. It is everyone's responsibility to communicate with Council during this process.

August 1, there is another meeting with public comment beginning at 10 a.m. You can see more here: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/city-council/council/council_meeting_info_center.htm

The first recommendation from the Arts Commission to Council is to pay staff salaries from the general fund. Currently, $548,000 is taken from HOT (Hotel Occupancy Tax -- the pool for distribution to artists and arts groups) for CAD staff salaries.

The arts community is still recovering from Covid closures, numerous organizations are at risk of closing and artists are relocating due to affordability, and it's consistently communicated that many feel the City of Austin is "failing its artists."

While ½ million isn't a lot of money for the City, it can at least demonstrate to the arts community that the City is *listening*, cares about what is happening, as is here to work with us towards long-term solutions. We also know that the City depends on the sales tax revenues generated by and as a byproduct of cultural consumption—both from locals and tourists. The health of the local cultural/creative economy is crucial to the overall health of Austin, not to mention one of the building blocks of our identity as a City.

Austin Common does a great job breaking down City processes into understandable action steps! They also have compiled a list of Budget Town Halls for each council member.
https://theaustincommon.com/recapping-the-citys-budget-proposal/

Recapping The City's Budget Proposal - The Austin Common Summary On July 12th, Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax released a draft of the new city budget for next year. Action Box Attend a budget town hall meeting. The city manager just released a draft of the city’s budget for next year. Keep scrolling to...

📢 ELEVATE AND THRIVE ARE DUE TUESDAY, 7/23 at 7 PM.! Here are staff support sessions in Español and English:

✍️ Las solicitudes de subvención Elevate y Thrive se cierran el martes 23 de julio a las 7 p.m. Por favor, participe en los siguientes horarios para obtener más información y recibir asistencia para la solicitud en español:

✍️ Horario de atención al público (Intérprete de español disponible)
23 de julio, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Inscríbase aquí (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89689782427?pwd=K3k0VXdUbU9SeitIODhiTVIyT09JQT09 )

✍️ Talleres de asistencia para la solicitud en persona (Intérprete de español disponible)
17 de julio en Biblioteca Spicewood Springs, 6 - 7:45 p.m.: Reserve aquí (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elevate-for-individual-artists-creative-business-info-session-in-person-tickets-929768020177?aff=odcleoeventsincollection)

✍️ Talleres virtuales de asistencia para solicitudes (Intérprete de español disponible)

✍️ 22 de julio, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Inscríbase aquí (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89689782427?pwd=K3k0VXdUbU9SeitIODhiTVIyT09JQT09 )

✍️ 23 de julio, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Inscríbase aquí (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89689782427?pwd=K3k0VXdUbU9SeitIODhiTVIyT09JQT09 )

❗️Asistencia directa en español por teléfono o correo electrónico

📞 Catalina Landon, On the Money Finance (Navegador Comunitario)
[email protected]
(512) 839-8462


📞 The Long Center (Administrador de solicitudes - dos personas que hablan español responden preguntas)
[email protected]
(512) 457-5161, Lunes - Viernes, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

❗️ Si no puede asistir a ninguna de las oportunidades, o no puede llamar para obtener apoyo, por favor revise nuestros Videos de Aplicación para obtener apoyo:

📢 Subvención Thrive/Elevate para Organizaciones Sin Fines de Lucro 2024 | Sesión informativa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ZlrQrJhk0)

📢 Subvención Elevate para Artistas Individuales y Empresas Creativas 2024 | Sesión informativa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw13daStq-c)

Gracias por su interés en las oportunidades de subvención Elevate y Thrive. Le recomendamos que presente su solicitud a tiempo para evitar retrasos debidos a problemas técnicos. Para mantenerse informado sobre todas nuestras oportunidades, suscríbase a nuestro boletín (https://analytics.clickdimensions.com/cn/aviac/AustinEconDev) y síganos en las redes sociales (Facebook, X) para recibir información sobre oportunidades de financiación y apoyo a las solicitudes.

- - - - - - - - -
📢 ELEVATE AND THRIVE ARE DUE TUESDAY, 7/23 at 7 PM.! Here are staff support sessions in English and Español:

Virtual open office hours (Spanish interpreter available)
July 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Join here

✍️ In-person Application Assistance Workshops *(Spanish interpreter available)*
July 17 at Spicewood Springs Branch Library, 6 – 7:45 p.m.: RSVP here (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elevate-for-individual-artists-creative-business-info-session-in-person-tickets-929768020177?aff=odcleoeventsincollection)

✍️ Virtual Application Assistance Workshops (Spanish interpreter available)
July 22, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Join here
July 23, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Join here
(https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89689782427?pwd=K3k0VXdUbU9SeitIODhiTVIyT09JQT09 )

❗️ Direct Spanish-Language Assistance by Phone or Email

📞 Catalina Landon at On the Money Finance (Community Navigator)
[email protected]
(512) 839-8462*

📞 The Long Center (Application administrator - two Spanish speaking staff answering questions) [email protected]
(512) 457-5161, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.*

❗️ If you are not able to attend any of the opportunities, or are not able to call for support, please review our Application Videos for support:

📢 Subvención Thrive/Elevate para Organizaciones Sin Fines de Lucro 2024 | Sesión informativa

📢 Subvención Elevate para Artistas Individuales y Empresas Creativas 2024 | Sesión informativa

Thank you for your interest in the Elevate and Thrive grant opportunities. We encourage you to submit your application ahead of the deadline to avoid any late entries due to any technical issues you may experience. To stay in the know about all of our opportunities, please sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media (Facebook, X) to receive information about funding and application support opportunities.

Downtown Austin Announced exciting artist opportunities at the July Arts Commission Meeting:

DASA Artist Residency Program: Our DASA Artist Residency Program, in partnership with Tribeza, offers a unique opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in a supportive and inspiring environment. DASA provides the perfect space to focus on your creative practice, develop new work and engage with a diverse community of artists and cultural enthusiasts. Learn more about the program and apply before August 1. (https://downtownaustin.submittable.com/submit/296026/dasa-artist-residency)

XOXO Photography Fellowship: We are thrilled to announce our XOXO Photography Fellowship.This 6-week program offers an opportunity to craft your photography skills, work with a mentor, earn a stipend and showcase your talent through our XOXO marketing campaign. Apply July 15 – August 7 and be part of our exciting new community initiative. (https://downtownaustin.submittable.com/submit/299521/xoxo-photography-fellowship-application?mc_cid=030b16bdc1&mc_eid=47fa695373)

PAID FOCUS GROUP OPPORTUNITY : https://measure.tfaforms.net/f/hotfocusgroupregistration

"In collaboration with MEASURE Austin, the City of Austin would like to invite you to take part in a 60-90 minute Equity Focus Group (small discussion group) on July 22, 23, or 25 via Zoom about City of Austin programs aimed at eliminating the systemic inequities that plague our community. The focus group should last no longer than one and a half hours.

Along with other community members, you will be asked to provide insights about the problem being addressed and provide additional information on how to successfully engage the people who are most impacted by these issues. You may also share your insights on the impact of funded programs like the Heritage Preservation grant and collaborate with other community members to co-create solutions. Your feedback will be invaluable in shaping future programs and initiatives funded by the City of Austin. As a token of our appreciation, you will receive a $125 gift card for your participation.

If you are interested in participating, please let us know by completing this short registration form. Once you’ve registered, we will confirm your participation via a calendar invitation that will include Zoom information. Additionally, a flyer with registration details is attached.

We hope to see you there!"

"The City of Austin's Capital Delivery Services is excited to partner with the Economic Development Department's Art in Public Places (AIPP) to bring in Texas artist, Reginald Adams, for a community engagement workshop event.

The workshop will introduce Reginald and his team, along with their objectives and expected outcomes of the future mosaic artwork to be located in the new underpass being constructed under South Pleasant Valley Road. Reginald and his team will gather ideas from the community through interactive activities such as brainstorming sessions, sketching, and storytelling. Additionally, surveys will be distributed to collect any further suggestions or input from attendees. AIPP will provide light refreshments."

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-in-public-places-longhorn-dam-bridge-community-engagement-workshop-tickets-944176466227?aff=PressRelease

New things at Downtown Austin - Program launch event 6/13
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dasa-launch-party-tickets-911463480807

"The Downtown Austin Alliance invites you to celebrate the launch of the Downtown Austin Space Activation (DASA) Program.

Designed to breathe new life into vacant or underutilized spaces downtown, DASA is a call to action for Austinites to take an active role in making downtown the place they want it to be. Through DASA, we’re transforming empty, underutilized spaces and are turning them into a platform for social impact, community connectivity, and inclusive prosperity.

Join us to learn about DASA and celebrate the opening of our first DASA Space at 506 Congress Avenue. This space will provide opportunities for entrepreneurship, small business resources, artist creative residencies and more.

Hear from the Downtown Austin Alliance and program partners on how to get involved. By partnering with property owners, local businesses, and community stakeholders, this program seeks to create dynamic spaces that attract foot traffic, stimulate economic activity, enhance the aesthetic of downtown, and provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and creativity."

🎼2024 Austin Live Music Fund🎤🎷🪘
Grant Application Opens Tuesday, May 21!

Austin Live Music Fund | AustinTexas.gov 2024 Austin Live Music Fund Grant Application Opens Tuesday, May 21!

Hey NEXUS applicants, got questions? Almost Real Things has you covered!

Saturday, May 4 · 12 - 2pm CDT

"Be in the know! Learn best practices for applying to art grants.
As a part of our Community Amplifier service, we're hosting an In the Know grant workshop to walk you through the Nexus grant application.

The Nexus grant is available to new and emerging local small organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses to produce creative public projects. This is an on-going grant of $5,000, awarded to 50 applicants every 6 months."

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-the-know-workshop-5000-nexus-grant-tickets-879193339947?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=ACTION%20packed!%20Grants%20%20Shows%20%20Frame%20Sales%20oh%20my!&utm_medium=email

We love Almost Real Things!

*Saturday, May 11 · 1 - 4pm CDT*

"As a Community Amplifier, we want all artists to know about how to connect to opportunities that empower you to learn, grow and succeed as a professional.

For this session, we're highlighting the Nexus grant opportunity and providing 1-on-1 guidance to apply!"

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-apply-together-grant-application-assistance-tickets-879193590697?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=ACTION%20packed!%20Grants%20%20Shows%20%20Frame%20Sales%20oh%20my!&utm_medium=email

The Nexus grant is NOW OPEN! https://www.austintexas.gov/nexus

The Nexus Grant offers $5,000 grants for new and emerging local small organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses to produce creative public projects. Grant funds may cover administrative costs, equipment and space rentals, marketing, and other eligible expenditures.

Application Open: April 16 at 10 a.m. - May 14 at 7 p.m.

Big announcements at last night's Arts Commission meeting:

Here's what's coming up from our grantees! 🎥🎞✏️🎟🎧