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Miles Bloxson: I am Miles Bloxson
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Elizabeth McQueen: And
I'm Elizabeth McQueen.
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And this is Pause Play the
podcast about live music, why
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it matters and what comes next.
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Miles Bloxson: This season we've been
looking at the future of music in Austin.
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We've explored the future of
streaming and AI and music.
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We even talked about what South by
Southwest might look like moving forward.
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Elizabeth McQueen: And in this
episode we are gonna look at the.
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Future of the Live Music Fund
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Miles Bloxson: The Live Music
Fund is something that we
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have in Austin that is unique.
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It's a way for musicians, independent
promoters and venues who work
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in commercial music to access
grants through the city of Austin.
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Elizabeth McQueen: It's funded
by the hotel occupancy tax, and
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if you wanna know more about.
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The specifics of how that funding works.
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You can listen to our last episode
where we tell the story of how the
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framework of the first version of
the live music fund came together.
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And please don't make us explain
funding mechanisms again.
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Miles Bloxson: And this episode
we're going to look at what the third
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version of the fund will look like.
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, the first
round of funding went out in 2023.
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The second in 2024 and soon applications
will be open for the third round.
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Miles Bloxson: Each year the fund has
worked a little differently and this year
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the city is doing yet another iteration.
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Elizabeth McQueen: And Miles, I have been
doing a lot of research on this and I have
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to tell you, it's a lot to keep track of.
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So I asked Erica to help
us work through it all.
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Erica Shamaly: Erica Shamaly and
the Division Manager for Music
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and Entertainment within the
Austin Arts Culture, Music and
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Entertainment, newly-formed department
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Elizabeth McQueen: Now Miles, we've talked
to Erica before on this podcast, and she
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used to introduce herself differently.
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Miles Bloxson: Yeah, I remember she
said she worked for the music and
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Entertainment Division of the City of
Austin's Economic Development Department.
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Right.
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Yeah.
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But now she works for a
different division, Austin
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Arts, Culture and Entertainment.
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
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Or ACME for short.
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It's a new department that brings
together all the arts divisions
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at the city under one roof.
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And Erica told me about
why ACME was formed.
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Erica Shamaly: Austin's always
been very dedicated to our
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creative community to music.
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To entertainment, film, and to the
arts and more just because of that.
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You kind of see it all over several
departments, you know, a focus there.
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So you, you saw it in Parks and
Recreation, the development services
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department, uh, and economic
development department and the
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libraries, you name it, it's all over.
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So community has been saying for
years, we would love to see all of that
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under one roof so that we can better
collaborate and that there's just.
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You know, more fluid
processes between everybody.
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And so finally, after a long time, it took
a while in the vision of our leadership
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at the City of Austin to say, you know,
that's a great idea and it's time.
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It is finally time.
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And so we have this newly formed
department with an umbrella for.
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All of those elements of arts,
music, entertainment, film, anything,
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cultural centers, museums all under
one umbrella so that we can better
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work together, collaborate, and most
importantly, serve our community
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with the things they love the most.
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Elizabeth McQueen: So more streamlined
services, more collaboration,
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everybody kind of talking to each
other rather than being in different
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departments all over the city.
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Exactly.
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Erica Shamaly: Exactly.
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So now people will know, who do I go to?
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You go to one place.
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Uh, it used to be that you would
get, you know, kind of like,
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okay, oh, actually that's not us.
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You're gonna have to go into this one
division of this other department.
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So now we finally have that all under one.
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Place one intake, you know, to come and
talk to us about what may be needed.
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And it also does give us the
opportunity to create new processes,
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new ways of working together, because
that are dependent, not on several
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departments, but dependent on just us.
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Elizabeth McQueen: And you guys are
gonna figuring out how it all work.
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Right?
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Mm-hmm.
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And we are here to talk about
the Live Music Fund So has that
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delayed the release of the live
music fund application process?
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'cause I know last year it started
in May and it was done in June.
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So is that part of the reason why
applications haven't been released yet?
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Correct.
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Erica Shamaly: We are launching
everything all at once.
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The formation of Acme happened
in February, 2025, so we're
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like month four and a half, you
know, almost five months in.
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And at the same time, it was really
important for our new director,
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director, Angela Meads, to get to know
the community and listen to everybody.
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Listen to the folks who most have
been requesting this and why.
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And so it's kind of hard just to kind of.
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Keep on going As, as everything was
when it's not at all that anymore.
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Uh, there was a lot of listening
and, uh, learning that had
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to happen across the board.
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Elizabeth McQueen: And do you know when
live music fund applications will go live?
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Erica Shamaly: Yeah.
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So we're working very hard right now.
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We're all coordinating, finishing
up some key things so that we can
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start, you know, building it all out.
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So we anticipate October, you're
gonna see kind of a, uh, you know.
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One application, not just for the
live music fund, for the Creative
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Space Assistance Program, for the
Elevate Program, the Nexus program,
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and the Heritage Preservation grant.
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Elizabeth McQueen: Whoa.
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So is it gonna be like
a common application?
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Like there will
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Erica Shamaly: be a first
step that will be okay.
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And then based on those initial, you
know, answers that that will then kind of,
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you know, route yet to the right place.
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Miles Bloxson: So like a lot of
the applications will go live at
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the same time, but the first step
of the application process will be
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filling out this common intake form.
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
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And based on that intake form,
you'll be assigned one or more
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eligibility verification forms,
and once you get verified, then
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you'll get access to an application.
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Miles Bloxson: Well, that's different
from how things were before.
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What about the grant amounts?
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That's changing too, right?
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, and actually
the amount of the live music fund
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grants is something that's changed
with every new application cycle.
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Miles Bloxson: Oh yeah.
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And during the first year, there were
like five and $10,000 grants, right?
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
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They had $3.5 million in the
fund, and only musicians and
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independent promoters could apply.
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No venues were eligible.
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Miles Bloxson: So how many
people applied that first year?
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Elizabeth McQueen: According to the City
of Austin's website, 660 people applied.
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Miles Bloxson: And how many
people actually got grants?
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Elizabeth McQueen: 368.
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Miles Bloxson: Hmm.
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But in round two, the
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grants were bigger, right?
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
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In round two, the grants for artists
and independent promoters went from
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five and 10,000 to 15 and 30,000.
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Miles Bloxson: Whoa.
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That's a big jump.
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Did they still have $3.5
million to give out?
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, they also
added another million dollars to the
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fund and made it available to venues.
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Venues could apply for 30
or $60,000 grants, depending
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on their operating budgets,
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Miles Bloxson: So venues could finally
access the Live Music Fund But it seems
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like fewer musicians got grants last year.
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Yeah.
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Elizabeth McQueen: In 2024, the
live music fund had over a thousand
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applications, but only 137 applicants
got grants and 17 of those were venues.
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Miles Bloxson: So going from over 368
recipients to 137, that's a huge drop.
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And really if you take out the venues,
only 120 musicians and independent
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promoters actually got grants.
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I remember people being pretty upset when
the 2024 funding announcements came out.
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It wasn't good.
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Elizabeth McQueen: Oh yeah.
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People were.
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Mad.
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Andrew Weber talked to Tameca Jones
for a story he did for KUT and
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she captured this feeling that you
and I saw a lot on social media.
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Tameca Jones: I, I just
knew that I was in there.
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I just knew it, it just, it,
it devastated me honestly.
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I, it devastated me.
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You know?
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I was like going a publicist.
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I was gonna get some new photos.
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I was going to, um, make some more music
and, and pay the people who helped me
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make music a, a, a fair, a fair rate.
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When, when I did my
taxes, I met poverty line.
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Elizabeth McQueen: I mean, a lot
of musicians were frustrated in
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the same way that Tameca described.
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Miles Bloxson: Why did they
change the grant amounts to
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be so much larger in 2024?
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Elizabeth McQueen: Well, I asked Erica
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what led to those larger grants in 2024,
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Erica Shamaly: So this was an
ongoing discussion with our
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music commission to discuss.
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How did it go?
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Was that effective?
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And what can we do going
forward to be impactful?
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Because you must remember when the Live
music fund was first formed in 2019,
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the goal was to be a fund that would
transform the music industry in Austin.
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Not just be a grant program,
but be a program that truly.
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Helps to fill the gaps in Austin
when it comes to all the many
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elements that need to happen for
a successful music ecosystem.
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And so what we learned was is
that with the smaller grants,
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it's a lot more administration.
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Miles Bloxson: So what does that mean?
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Administration?
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Elizabeth McQueen: Okay, so the
city of Austin has an agreement
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with the Long Center to administer
all ACME funding programs.
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So the city provides the program
guidelines and the long center
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then processes the grants
according to the city's guidelines.
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Miles Bloxson: Why do they do it that way?
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Elizabeth McQueen: Well,
I asked Erica about that.
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Erica Shamaly: We have a third party
administrator, and the reason why we did
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that back in 2023, and this wasn't just
about the economic development department
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or any of the divisions, it was about.
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The purchasing department within
the City of Austin and being
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able to handle that many grant
agreements that are handled frankly
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differently than say, a procurement.
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Um, the city is, has a procurement
process with lots of rules and
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policies in place, and so some of
the feedback we had gotten from.
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Before the, even the live music fund
was implemented was it takes too long.
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It takes so long to get a check
from the city and it, it does
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because it's a, let's say, long
process that is there on purpose.
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It's about taxpayer money.
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It needs to have all of
these things in place.
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And so you're kind of trying to fit
a grant program into a procurement
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process, and the two quite aren't
the same, especially when it comes
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to the mission and the reason
for the funds and the intent.
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You know, procurements are about.
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You know, getting several bids and finding
the best cost, and there's a lot of
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other elements, but grants are different.
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There's a whole suite of reasons
why you score a certain way, and so
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by being able to find more capacity
with a third party was crucial.
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And this was a big, huge push from
communities to have a third party.
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And even mentioning the Long Center
before this was even decided.
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So we did go through a procurement process
in order to find the right third party
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and the long center came up on top.
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You know, in terms of all of the capacity
and things that were needed to kind
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of like almost mirror what a city can
provide in terms of enough accounting
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staff, enough staff, and, uh, oversight,
uh, that the city would deem acceptable
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so that we could do that type of
monitoring that is required of such a.
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You know, a large contract,
and we do this with several
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third parties across the city.
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There's just not enough
city staff to do it all.
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And so if we wanna get this money
out there efficiently and within a
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reasonable time period, you know,
once you know the applications launch
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and you know, all of those processes
we're doing a lot better than it used
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to be when it was all done in house.
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Elizabeth McQueen: So the city pays the
Long Center like a very specific hourly
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rate to perform tasks like reviewing,
eligibility or making payments.
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And fewer grant recipients means
fewer administrative costs.
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Plus, Erica told me that with as many
recipients as they had in 2023, it was
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hard to give people more big picture help.
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Erica Shamaly: It didn't give
us enough time to do the work of
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that transformational part, which
is, you know, that professional
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00:11:29,935 --> 00:11:33,984
development, the assistance, um,
it's not just about getting money
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00:11:33,984 --> 00:11:35,454
out there and just go for it.
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00:11:35,724 --> 00:11:39,895
It's truly about how do you spend the
money and what is the most effective
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00:11:39,895 --> 00:11:42,805
ways to invest this money in your career.
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Miles Bloxson: So, lemme make sure I
understand this correctly, Elizabeth.
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00:11:46,074 --> 00:11:50,334
So bigger grant amounts meant fewer
people receiving grants, which meant.
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That the city was spending less on
administration costs and also means that
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the city staff was able to spend more time
helping individual grantees and that's
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why they increased those grant amounts.
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00:12:02,165 --> 00:12:03,275
Elizabeth McQueen:
That's part of the reason
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Erica told me that the city also upped
those grant awards to make sure that
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the grantees had access to more money
to do the things they needed to do.
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It
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Erica Shamaly: It's not just about live
shows, it's about recording, it's about
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producing, it's about all the marketing,
social media, and then the content
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that goes along with making music.
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It's about paying your musicians.
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It's a long process that
can be extremely expensive.
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And so when you're having these
smaller, you know, investments, you
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can just do one little part of it.
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00:12:34,365 --> 00:12:36,855
Miles Bloxson: Didn't people know
these bigger grants were coming
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00:12:36,855 --> 00:12:39,915
and that it would mean fewer
people actually would get them?
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00:12:40,350 --> 00:12:42,030
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, Miles,
you know how much I love to
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watch music commission meetings?
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Miles Bloxson: Oh, yes.
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I know Elizabeth McQueen
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Elizabeth McQueen: And I watched
a lot, and the city was very above
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board about this funding increase.
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They announced it as early as February,
2024 at a music commission meeting.
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But you know, I personally
love watching music commission
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meetings, but most people don't.
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00:13:01,350 --> 00:13:04,980
So I'm not sure if everyone knew that
a lot fewer people would be getting
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grants in 2024 than did in 2023.
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Miles Bloxson: Yeah.
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Music commission meetings are
an acquired taste, shall I say.
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yes.
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They're my taste.
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Miles Bloxson: So the grant amounts
last year were much bigger now we
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know why, but were there any other
changes that happened last year?
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Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, last year
the city also changed how artists
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00:13:26,420 --> 00:13:29,000
could spend the award money in 2023.
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It was based on future projects.
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Erica Shamaly: And that was
based on how the other grants had
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always been and what we learned.
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That doesn't work for the music industry
because things change all the time.
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And so they can use the funds on
any eligible expense that's very,
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00:13:45,870 --> 00:13:48,990
you know, specifically outlined
in the guidelines, but at their
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00:13:48,990 --> 00:13:51,000
discretion of what they wanna do.
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And then as long as they promote
it and market it to visitors.
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Potential convention delegates and
audiences, local audiences alike, which
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that's what we do in the industry.
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00:14:01,585 --> 00:14:04,915
In music, we do that
anyway, it's just built in.
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00:14:05,395 --> 00:14:08,995
And so as long as everything you're doing
and it can even be recording a record
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00:14:08,995 --> 00:14:12,385
and you're in the studio and you're like,
I'm, you know, recording my next record.
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00:14:12,385 --> 00:14:14,875
I mean, how many, you know,
artists have you seen do that
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00:14:14,935 --> 00:14:16,225
to promote what they're doing?
295
00:14:16,225 --> 00:14:19,315
Well, that promotes Austin that
promotes the live music fund, and
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so we have requirements around that.
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00:14:21,625 --> 00:14:24,805
And so we wanted to make it as
flexible as possible so that.
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It.
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We get back to the point of the
live music fund originally, which is
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00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:32,580
this transformative fund, you know,
for the industry here in Austin.
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00:14:32,730 --> 00:14:36,120
Miles Bloxson: So it used to be that
you got a grant for a specific project,
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00:14:36,330 --> 00:14:40,170
and now the way people can spend
this money is way more open-ended.
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00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:40,860
Yeah.
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00:14:41,250 --> 00:14:41,430
Hmm.
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00:14:41,970 --> 00:14:44,820
And they're changing the grant
amounts again in 2025, right?
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00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:45,390
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
307
00:14:45,450 --> 00:14:45,845
Here's Erica.
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00:14:46,710 --> 00:14:49,740
Erica Shamaly: So for 2025, we're just
gonna try to find a middle ground.
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00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:51,810
So instead of 30, it'll be 20.
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And then we will also do a $5,000 grant.
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00:14:55,110 --> 00:14:58,440
Elizabeth McQueen: And is
there a delineation in 2025
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00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,150
between the $5,000 grants?
313
00:15:00,150 --> 00:15:03,210
Those are for emerging artists, and
then 20 is for more established?
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00:15:03,210 --> 00:15:04,050
Is that how it goes?
315
00:15:04,050 --> 00:15:04,350
Or it's
316
00:15:04,350 --> 00:15:06,270
Erica Shamaly: really just a
difference of what's needed.
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00:15:06,270 --> 00:15:06,300
Okay.
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00:15:06,330 --> 00:15:09,990
And you know, it's hard to dictate who's
an emerging artist and what that, how
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00:15:09,990 --> 00:15:13,740
to define that, because you could be a
musician and go to a different instrument
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00:15:13,740 --> 00:15:15,270
or a different genre, you know, have.
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00:15:15,365 --> 00:15:18,065
Way through your career and
could be, feel like you're an
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00:15:18,065 --> 00:15:19,415
emerging artist all over again.
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00:15:19,895 --> 00:15:24,575
And so we didn't wanna be the definers
of what's emerging, what isn't.
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00:15:24,905 --> 00:15:26,585
It's really about what's needed.
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00:15:26,645 --> 00:15:30,875
And also having a more simple
application for those $5,000 grants.
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00:15:31,325 --> 00:15:35,555
So we worked with, very closely with
the music commission and kind of also
327
00:15:35,555 --> 00:15:39,485
adjusted our scoring around, you know,
music industry accomplishments that was,
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00:15:39,515 --> 00:15:41,525
you know, they really wanted to see that.
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00:15:42,035 --> 00:15:42,515
Um.
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00:15:42,885 --> 00:15:47,685
And so what we'll do is for those
$20,000 grants, it will have that
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00:15:47,685 --> 00:15:51,734
music industry accomplishments scoring
category along with others, you know.
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00:15:51,795 --> 00:15:55,185
But for the 5,000, that very
top scoring for music industry
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00:15:55,185 --> 00:15:56,415
accomplishments won't happen.
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00:15:56,474 --> 00:15:58,125
It'll just be scoring for the rest of it.
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00:15:58,425 --> 00:16:01,964
Miles Bloxson: So this year, musicians
and independent promoters will be able to
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00:16:01,964 --> 00:16:05,745
apply for $20,000 grants or $5,000 grants.
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00:16:06,510 --> 00:16:09,690
Elizabeth McQueen: And the $20,000
grants will cover a two year period.
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00:16:09,690 --> 00:16:13,590
So if you get a $20,000 grant this
year, you can't apply next year.
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00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:16,440
But the $5,000 grants
will be for one year.
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00:16:16,530 --> 00:16:17,940
Miles Bloxson: And what about the venues?
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00:16:17,970 --> 00:16:19,500
How much can they apply for?
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00:16:19,710 --> 00:16:23,130
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, venues
with budgets of over $60,000 can
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00:16:23,130 --> 00:16:27,780
apply for $70,000 grants, and those
grants are for a one year term.
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00:16:28,020 --> 00:16:31,380
And Miles, one thing we haven't
had a chance to mention is that
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00:16:31,380 --> 00:16:35,010
the city has more money to work
with this year and next year.
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00:16:35,275 --> 00:16:36,145
Miles Bloxson: Why is that?
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00:16:36,865 --> 00:16:39,325
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, like we
said, because of Acme, the rollout
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00:16:39,325 --> 00:16:43,405
of the live music fund was delayed,
and it was delayed past the end of
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00:16:43,405 --> 00:16:45,175
the city of Austin's fiscal year.
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00:16:45,565 --> 00:16:50,815
So the fiscal year for 2025 is gonna end
on September 30th, but the live music
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00:16:50,815 --> 00:16:52,765
fund applications won't go live until.
352
00:16:53,105 --> 00:16:53,735
October.
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00:16:54,305 --> 00:16:59,315
So in fiscal year 2025, the
city had $4.8 million budgeted
354
00:16:59,315 --> 00:17:00,845
for the live music Fund awards.
355
00:17:01,355 --> 00:17:04,745
They've decided to take that money and
divide it in half, and then they're
356
00:17:04,745 --> 00:17:09,395
gonna put one half of that award money
and add it to the award money for fiscal
357
00:17:09,395 --> 00:17:12,935
year 2026, and they're gonna take the
other half and they're gonna add that
358
00:17:12,935 --> 00:17:15,694
to the award money for fiscal year 27.
359
00:17:16,025 --> 00:17:20,495
So the live music fund is gonna
be giving away around $7 million
360
00:17:20,495 --> 00:17:22,625
total during this next round.
361
00:17:22,670 --> 00:17:23,750
And the round after that.
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00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:24,770
Miles Bloxson: Oh, wow.
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00:17:24,770 --> 00:17:29,240
So these grant awards will be smaller
this year than last, and the amount
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00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:31,010
of money to give away will be larger.
365
00:17:31,460 --> 00:17:35,270
So there will definitely be more
musicians and independent promoters
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00:17:35,270 --> 00:17:36,980
getting awards moving forward.
367
00:17:36,980 --> 00:17:37,310
Right.
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00:17:37,580 --> 00:17:37,970
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
369
00:17:38,405 --> 00:17:39,995
At least for the next couple of years.
370
00:17:40,505 --> 00:17:44,195
But you know, the demand for the
live music fund has been really high.
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00:17:44,675 --> 00:17:48,755
Like I said, last year there were over a
thousand applications and the total amount
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that people applied for was $29 million.
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00:17:51,965 --> 00:17:55,865
So a lot of people want grants,
but there's just not enough money
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00:17:55,865 --> 00:17:57,515
for everyone who applies to get.
375
00:17:58,545 --> 00:18:02,355
But Erica did say that the city is
looking at ways to grow the live
376
00:18:02,355 --> 00:18:04,665
music fund in a more sustainable way.
377
00:18:04,725 --> 00:18:08,985
Erica Shamaly: One thing I think
that ACME is going to do is look at
378
00:18:08,985 --> 00:18:13,155
ways we can raise more funds that
aren't just focused on hot like
379
00:18:13,155 --> 00:18:15,735
the Ho, you know, these taxes and.
380
00:18:16,265 --> 00:18:21,215
So that's one of our next steps of
our strategic process is establishing
381
00:18:21,215 --> 00:18:24,185
those pro those ways that we
can do that, which is possible.
382
00:18:24,275 --> 00:18:28,235
You know, it's just like a friends
of a park type of situation
383
00:18:28,565 --> 00:18:29,945
that happens throughout cities.
384
00:18:29,945 --> 00:18:30,695
In our city.
385
00:18:30,995 --> 00:18:32,885
We don't have anything
like that, but for Acme.
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00:18:32,885 --> 00:18:33,575
But we could.
387
00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:40,130
And so next steps will be setting up the
infrastructure for people to donate to
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00:18:40,130 --> 00:18:45,260
a cause so we can potentially raise more
money for more grants for all of this.
389
00:18:45,590 --> 00:18:47,720
And I think that's something Austin needs.
390
00:18:47,750 --> 00:18:52,190
Uh, we haven't been the best when it
comes to like traditional philanthropy.
391
00:18:52,550 --> 00:18:59,030
We are a tech city innovation and
we are earners, uh, but we're coming
392
00:18:59,030 --> 00:19:02,750
to a place where it's impossible
to earn enough money to do what it.
393
00:19:03,095 --> 00:19:08,195
Takes and costs to survive as either a,
a creative space, a venue, a theater,
394
00:19:08,495 --> 00:19:10,325
or even as a musician to pay your rent.
395
00:19:10,715 --> 00:19:15,965
And so we need the support of all of
these wonderful companies that are here,
396
00:19:15,965 --> 00:19:18,005
of our population, of our residents.
397
00:19:18,305 --> 00:19:24,035
And so we're going to facilitate a process
so that can happen, which is exciting.
398
00:19:24,725 --> 00:19:26,105
Miles Bloxson: And she mentions scoring.
399
00:19:26,165 --> 00:19:27,035
What's that all about?
400
00:19:27,545 --> 00:19:30,305
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, coming up after
the break, I'll tell you all about it.
401
00:19:34,005 --> 00:19:35,055
Miles Bloxson: Welcome back to Pause.
402
00:19:35,055 --> 00:19:39,345
Play the podcast about live music,
why it matters, and what comes next.
403
00:19:39,585 --> 00:19:42,615
In this episode, we're talking
about the future of the live music
404
00:19:42,615 --> 00:19:46,275
fund, and Elizabeth, you were
going to tell me about scoring.
405
00:19:46,605 --> 00:19:47,415
Elizabeth McQueen: Ah, yes.
406
00:19:47,415 --> 00:19:48,345
Scoring.
407
00:19:48,735 --> 00:19:52,695
So the City of Austin uses a scoring
rubric for the Live Music Fund
408
00:19:52,995 --> 00:19:56,145
You can see the 2024 scoring
rubrics, along with all the
409
00:19:56,145 --> 00:19:59,445
questions from the applications
and the eligibility requirements
410
00:19:59,445 --> 00:20:00,945
on the City of Austin's website.
411
00:20:01,145 --> 00:20:04,110
Miles Bloxson: And what kinds of
things did they score for in 2024?
412
00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:08,490
Elizabeth McQueen: So in 2024, the
scoring for musicians and independent
413
00:20:08,490 --> 00:20:10,050
promoters looked like this.
414
00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:14,940
You got up to 35 points if you could
prove you had limited access to resources.
415
00:20:14,970 --> 00:20:18,810
So things like whether applicants had
access to healthcare, whether a language
416
00:20:18,810 --> 00:20:22,710
other than English was spoken in the
household, and what kind of access
417
00:20:22,710 --> 00:20:24,480
applicants had to traditional banking.
418
00:20:24,570 --> 00:20:28,710
Among other things, you could get
up to 30 points for proving what
419
00:20:28,710 --> 00:20:30,720
they called local economic impact.
420
00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,020
So proving you were spending money
on local musicians or venues, or.
421
00:20:34,360 --> 00:20:38,169
Austin-based businesses, you got
up to 20 points for planning and
422
00:20:38,169 --> 00:20:41,949
outreach that included a tourism and
marketing budget, as well as proving
423
00:20:41,949 --> 00:20:45,729
how your projects amplified Austin's
diverse arts and culture sector.
424
00:20:46,300 --> 00:20:50,080
You could get up to 30 points for proving
that you had made projects open and
425
00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:53,800
accessible to the public, people with
disabilities, and people who spoke a
426
00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:58,030
language other than English, and you
got 15 points if you had not received
427
00:20:58,030 --> 00:21:00,324
funding during the 2023 Live Music Fund
428
00:21:01,215 --> 00:21:03,375
Miles Bloxson: Could people
see their scores last year?
429
00:21:03,375 --> 00:21:07,245
Like if they applied and didn't get
chosen, were they given their scores?
430
00:21:07,544 --> 00:21:09,345
Elizabeth McQueen: Erica told me
people weren't just given their
431
00:21:09,345 --> 00:21:13,575
scores, but if they requested it, they
could get the scores and have a city
432
00:21:13,575 --> 00:21:15,345
staff member walk them through them.
433
00:21:15,399 --> 00:21:15,480
Hmm.
434
00:21:16,145 --> 00:21:18,965
Miles Bloxson: And Erica was saying
that they're adding a scoring category
435
00:21:18,965 --> 00:21:21,215
called music industry accomplishments.
436
00:21:21,395 --> 00:21:21,815
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
437
00:21:21,905 --> 00:21:25,445
A lot of established musicians felt
like the last round didn't take the
438
00:21:25,445 --> 00:21:29,165
work that they'd been doing and the
careers that they had built into account.
439
00:21:29,495 --> 00:21:33,035
So in this new rubric
for the $20,000 grants.
440
00:21:33,235 --> 00:21:37,225
Music industry accomplishments
account for up to 25 points.
441
00:21:37,344 --> 00:21:41,695
These are things like awards, playing
shows where 300 people or more attended
442
00:21:41,695 --> 00:21:44,155
download numbers, touring and radio play.
443
00:21:44,754 --> 00:21:47,574
Artist development will
account for up to 25 points.
444
00:21:47,574 --> 00:21:51,415
So this is like career training,
participating in music programs,
445
00:21:51,415 --> 00:21:54,054
volunteering at benefit
concerts, things like that.
446
00:21:54,115 --> 00:21:57,534
And applicants do get more points
in this category if they have
447
00:21:57,534 --> 00:21:58,840
limited access to resources.
448
00:21:59,620 --> 00:22:03,730
Applicants can get up to 25 points
for Austin music economy development.
449
00:22:04,060 --> 00:22:08,770
So hiring and paying Austin musicians
and creatives using Austin spaces and
450
00:22:08,770 --> 00:22:10,870
collaborating with other local musicians.
451
00:22:10,900 --> 00:22:14,200
And then applicants can get
up to 25 points for cultural
452
00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:16,030
tourism, marketing, and outreach.
453
00:22:16,030 --> 00:22:19,810
So things like marketing to
audiences outside of Austin, making
454
00:22:19,810 --> 00:22:23,740
projects accessible to the public
and to audiences with disabilities.
455
00:22:24,040 --> 00:22:26,560
Now, as of the recording of
this podcast, this rubric
456
00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:27,820
hasn't been officially adopted.
457
00:22:28,585 --> 00:22:30,295
But it looks like it's pretty close.
458
00:22:30,715 --> 00:22:33,265
What about for the $5,000 grants?
459
00:22:33,505 --> 00:22:35,035
For the $5,000 grants?
460
00:22:35,065 --> 00:22:37,765
They won't have the music
industry accomplishments piece.
461
00:22:37,765 --> 00:22:41,815
They'll be scored on artist development,
Austin music economy development, and
462
00:22:41,815 --> 00:22:44,395
cultural tourism, marketing and outreach.
463
00:22:44,485 --> 00:22:48,145
And one thing to know is that so far
they've changed the criteria every
464
00:22:48,145 --> 00:22:52,345
year, but Erica told me this time the
criteria will be in place a bit longer.
465
00:22:53,655 --> 00:22:56,145
Erica Shamaly: So we're, we've
gathered data from the first year.
466
00:22:56,385 --> 00:22:59,084
We've gathered data from the second
year, and we'll do the same thing
467
00:22:59,084 --> 00:23:01,725
again, uh, for this next cycle.
468
00:23:02,054 --> 00:23:06,044
And what's interesting about this next
cycle is that these guidelines that
469
00:23:06,044 --> 00:23:09,584
we're forming as one Acme, there's
one set of guidelines that will
470
00:23:09,584 --> 00:23:13,544
cover all the different programs, is
that it will be in place for longer.
471
00:23:13,805 --> 00:23:18,125
You know, so we really, truly have
some time to see how it's doing.
472
00:23:18,395 --> 00:23:22,265
So the plan is to go back and do
a big update every three years
473
00:23:22,655 --> 00:23:25,715
when we've been doing it annually,
you know, this whole time.
474
00:23:25,895 --> 00:23:26,225
Miles Bloxson: Okay?
475
00:23:26,225 --> 00:23:30,605
So this new scoring criteria is gonna
be in place for like three years.
476
00:23:30,695 --> 00:23:32,705
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, Erica
told me that's the plan, unless
477
00:23:32,705 --> 00:23:34,115
something goes really sideways
478
00:23:34,325 --> 00:23:36,395
Miles Bloxson: and the long
center is doing this scoring.
479
00:23:36,395 --> 00:23:38,825
But isn't it kind of subjective?
480
00:23:39,185 --> 00:23:42,485
Elizabeth McQueen: I had that question for
Erica because I applied for arts funding
481
00:23:42,485 --> 00:23:47,945
before and I had to like go in front of
a panel and it did seem very subjective,
482
00:23:48,335 --> 00:23:52,565
but Erica told me that the live music
fund scoring isn't really that way.
483
00:23:52,625 --> 00:23:54,665
Erica Shamaly: There isn't
any subjectivity whatsoever.
484
00:23:54,695 --> 00:23:57,514
There's a set of guidelines,
there's some scoring criteria.
485
00:23:57,784 --> 00:24:01,504
We asked a question if an applicant
answers, you know, selects a,
486
00:24:01,774 --> 00:24:02,750
something pops up that says.
487
00:24:03,265 --> 00:24:06,475
Upload your documentation
to evidence, your answer.
488
00:24:06,775 --> 00:24:09,295
And so it's like that for
each of our multiple choice.
489
00:24:09,295 --> 00:24:12,625
And so their job is just to go
look at the documentation to
490
00:24:12,625 --> 00:24:14,275
see if evidence is the answer.
491
00:24:14,635 --> 00:24:17,815
And if they don't know, if they
can't tell, they, they create a
492
00:24:17,815 --> 00:24:21,505
list and say, okay, city of Austin,
let's go through these things.
493
00:24:21,505 --> 00:24:21,730
And you're.
494
00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:26,970
The final call of, if this meets what
you intended in the program guidelines
495
00:24:27,360 --> 00:24:30,600
for the other programs, there's panels,
outside panels that do different
496
00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:34,139
processes, and those are the types of
processes that have been around for
497
00:24:34,139 --> 00:24:37,919
years for both the cultural arts programs
and the Heritage Preservation grant.
498
00:24:38,429 --> 00:24:39,090
Miles Bloxson: So, okay.
499
00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:41,620
A lot of things are changing this year.
500
00:24:41,830 --> 00:24:46,330
First of all, there's going to be a common
intake form for all arts funding that
501
00:24:46,330 --> 00:24:50,050
will direct people to the grants they're
eligible for, and then people have to
502
00:24:50,050 --> 00:24:54,520
fill out an eligibility verification
form, and if they are verified, then
503
00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:56,530
they can apply for the Live Music Fund
504
00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:59,320
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, and the
amount of money in the live music fund
505
00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:01,780
will be around $7 million this year.
506
00:25:02,110 --> 00:25:04,720
The amount of money people can
apply for is also different.
507
00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:05,110
This year.
508
00:25:05,110 --> 00:25:07,480
People can apply for $5,000 grants.
509
00:25:07,570 --> 00:25:08,950
Those are for a term of one year.
510
00:25:08,950 --> 00:25:11,320
People can also apply for $20,000 grants.
511
00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:15,970
Those are for a two year term, and
venues can apply for grants of $70,000.
512
00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:17,075
Those grants have a one year term.
513
00:25:17,745 --> 00:25:20,415
Miles Bloxson: The Long Center is
still going to score and administer
514
00:25:20,415 --> 00:25:23,985
the grants, but the scoring rubric
is going to be different this year.
515
00:25:24,195 --> 00:25:28,245
One thing they're considering that they
haven't in the past is music industry
516
00:25:28,245 --> 00:25:31,125
accomplishments for the $20,000 grants,
517
00:25:31,335 --> 00:25:33,495
Elizabeth McQueen: and this scoring
rubric is probably gonna stay the
518
00:25:33,495 --> 00:25:35,295
same for the next three years.
519
00:25:35,415 --> 00:25:37,430
Miles Bloxson: So when
will all of this happen?
520
00:25:38,145 --> 00:25:40,395
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, it looks
like the intake forums will go live
521
00:25:40,395 --> 00:25:42,465
sometime in September or October.
522
00:25:42,615 --> 00:25:46,305
There's actually gonna be four grants on
this intake forum, elevate, which is a
523
00:25:46,305 --> 00:25:50,955
cultural arts grant, the Live Music Fund,
the Creative Space Assistance Program,
524
00:25:50,955 --> 00:25:52,605
and the Heritage Preservation Grant.
525
00:25:52,995 --> 00:25:58,275
The actual applications should open
on October 21st, and then those
526
00:25:58,275 --> 00:26:02,055
eligibility forms will close December
1st, and then the application
527
00:26:02,055 --> 00:26:03,740
deadline will be December 11th.
528
00:26:04,470 --> 00:26:06,810
Miles Bloxson: Okay, so
that's a lot of changes.
529
00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:08,340
What can people do next?
530
00:26:08,430 --> 00:26:10,290
Elizabeth McQueen: Well be on the
lookout for the announcement that
531
00:26:10,290 --> 00:26:14,640
those intake forms are going live, and
when they do go live, the city's gonna
532
00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,150
release info about workshops to help
people who are interested in applying.
533
00:26:18,270 --> 00:26:21,870
We'll post a link to the city's live
music fund webpage in the show notes.
534
00:26:22,290 --> 00:26:25,380
Also, the Museum of Human Achievement
has grant writing hangouts.
535
00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:29,090
For a lot of city funded grants,
including the Live Music Fund There are
536
00:26:29,090 --> 00:26:32,750
these coworking events where people can
help each other with grant writing, and
537
00:26:32,750 --> 00:26:36,020
listeners can find a link to learn more
about those in the show notes as well.
538
00:26:36,260 --> 00:26:36,650
Well,
539
00:26:37,010 --> 00:26:40,130
Miles Bloxson: it's going to be
interesting to see what this round
540
00:26:40,130 --> 00:26:41,930
of the live music fund is like.
541
00:26:42,260 --> 00:26:42,530
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
542
00:26:42,530 --> 00:26:45,230
I have a feeling we'll be
talking about it in the next.
543
00:26:46,665 --> 00:26:48,915
Miles Bloxson: In the next episode,
we're going to talk about the
544
00:26:48,915 --> 00:26:50,985
future of housing for musicians.
545
00:26:51,225 --> 00:26:54,195
And to do that, we're going to
take a look at a place that has
546
00:26:54,195 --> 00:26:56,804
been housing musicians for decades.
547
00:26:56,955 --> 00:26:59,955
The Metropolis Apartments Pauses.
548
00:26:59,955 --> 00:27:02,895
Play is a production of
KUT and KUTX studios.
549
00:27:03,044 --> 00:27:06,855
It's hosted in, produced by me,
Elizabeth McQueen, and me Mileson
550
00:27:07,784 --> 00:27:11,324
Engineering and editing help from
Jake Pearlman and Renee Chavez.
551
00:27:11,385 --> 00:27:13,629
Additional production
help from Jake Griff.
552
00:27:13,970 --> 00:27:16,310
Stephanie Federico is our digital editor.
553
00:27:16,490 --> 00:27:19,010
Michael Manasi is our multimedia editor.
554
00:27:19,130 --> 00:27:22,400
Our theme song was created by
the talented Jerron Marshall.
555
00:27:22,820 --> 00:27:23,060
Other
556
00:27:23,060 --> 00:27:27,500
Elizabeth McQueen: music provided by the
talented Jack Anderson and a PM Cosplay
557
00:27:27,500 --> 00:27:31,970
is a listener supported production of
KUT and KTX studios in Austin, Texas.
558
00:27:32,030 --> 00:27:34,280
Miles Bloxson: You can support
our work by becoming a sustaining
559
00:27:34,280 --> 00:27:37,070
member@supportthispodcast.org.
00:00:01,410 --> 00:00:02,470
Miles Bloxson: I am Miles Bloxson
2
00:00:02,490 --> 00:00:04,019
Elizabeth McQueen: And
I'm Elizabeth McQueen.
3
00:00:04,019 --> 00:00:07,740
And this is Pause Play the
podcast about live music, why
4
00:00:07,740 --> 00:00:09,840
it matters and what comes next.
5
00:00:14,370 --> 00:00:17,430
Miles Bloxson: This season we've been
looking at the future of music in Austin.
6
00:00:17,730 --> 00:00:20,520
We've explored the future of
streaming and AI and music.
7
00:00:20,700 --> 00:00:24,660
We even talked about what South by
Southwest might look like moving forward.
8
00:00:25,050 --> 00:00:27,270
Elizabeth McQueen: And in this
episode we are gonna look at the.
9
00:00:27,395 --> 00:00:29,405
Future of the Live Music Fund
10
00:00:30,064 --> 00:00:31,835
Miles Bloxson: The Live Music
Fund is something that we
11
00:00:31,835 --> 00:00:33,755
have in Austin that is unique.
12
00:00:34,085 --> 00:00:37,775
It's a way for musicians, independent
promoters and venues who work
13
00:00:37,775 --> 00:00:41,075
in commercial music to access
grants through the city of Austin.
14
00:00:41,435 --> 00:00:43,985
Elizabeth McQueen: It's funded
by the hotel occupancy tax, and
15
00:00:43,985 --> 00:00:44,800
if you wanna know more about.
16
00:00:45,165 --> 00:00:47,385
The specifics of how that funding works.
17
00:00:47,565 --> 00:00:50,894
You can listen to our last episode
where we tell the story of how the
18
00:00:50,894 --> 00:00:54,405
framework of the first version of
the live music fund came together.
19
00:00:54,765 --> 00:00:58,515
And please don't make us explain
funding mechanisms again.
20
00:00:59,925 --> 00:01:02,415
Miles Bloxson: And this episode
we're going to look at what the third
21
00:01:02,415 --> 00:01:04,215
version of the fund will look like.
22
00:01:04,364 --> 00:01:07,215
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, the first
round of funding went out in 2023.
23
00:01:07,470 --> 00:01:12,060
The second in 2024 and soon applications
will be open for the third round.
24
00:01:12,330 --> 00:01:15,870
Miles Bloxson: Each year the fund has
worked a little differently and this year
25
00:01:15,900 --> 00:01:18,450
the city is doing yet another iteration.
26
00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:22,350
Elizabeth McQueen: And Miles, I have been
doing a lot of research on this and I have
27
00:01:22,350 --> 00:01:24,090
to tell you, it's a lot to keep track of.
28
00:01:24,300 --> 00:01:27,215
So I asked Erica to help
us work through it all.
29
00:01:27,775 --> 00:01:30,475
Erica Shamaly: Erica Shamaly and
the Division Manager for Music
30
00:01:30,475 --> 00:01:34,705
and Entertainment within the
Austin Arts Culture, Music and
31
00:01:34,705 --> 00:01:37,045
Entertainment, newly-formed department
32
00:01:37,495 --> 00:01:41,065
Elizabeth McQueen: Now Miles, we've talked
to Erica before on this podcast, and she
33
00:01:41,065 --> 00:01:42,835
used to introduce herself differently.
34
00:01:43,370 --> 00:01:46,070
Miles Bloxson: Yeah, I remember she
said she worked for the music and
35
00:01:46,070 --> 00:01:49,880
Entertainment Division of the City of
Austin's Economic Development Department.
36
00:01:49,970 --> 00:01:50,390
Right.
37
00:01:50,660 --> 00:01:51,050
Yeah.
38
00:01:51,230 --> 00:01:54,020
But now she works for a
different division, Austin
39
00:01:54,020 --> 00:01:55,670
Arts, Culture and Entertainment.
40
00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:56,270
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
41
00:01:56,330 --> 00:01:57,740
Or ACME for short.
42
00:01:58,009 --> 00:02:01,220
It's a new department that brings
together all the arts divisions
43
00:02:01,220 --> 00:02:02,630
at the city under one roof.
44
00:02:02,630 --> 00:02:05,330
And Erica told me about
why ACME was formed.
45
00:02:05,539 --> 00:02:07,490
Erica Shamaly: Austin's always
been very dedicated to our
46
00:02:07,490 --> 00:02:09,079
creative community to music.
47
00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:14,600
To entertainment, film, and to the
arts and more just because of that.
48
00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,960
You kind of see it all over several
departments, you know, a focus there.
49
00:02:18,350 --> 00:02:21,200
So you, you saw it in Parks and
Recreation, the development services
50
00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:25,430
department, uh, and economic
development department and the
51
00:02:25,430 --> 00:02:27,650
libraries, you name it, it's all over.
52
00:02:27,650 --> 00:02:32,390
So community has been saying for
years, we would love to see all of that
53
00:02:32,660 --> 00:02:36,005
under one roof so that we can better
collaborate and that there's just.
54
00:02:36,550 --> 00:02:39,550
You know, more fluid
processes between everybody.
55
00:02:39,610 --> 00:02:44,950
And so finally, after a long time, it took
a while in the vision of our leadership
56
00:02:44,950 --> 00:02:48,190
at the City of Austin to say, you know,
that's a great idea and it's time.
57
00:02:48,550 --> 00:02:49,600
It is finally time.
58
00:02:50,020 --> 00:02:53,230
And so we have this newly formed
department with an umbrella for.
59
00:02:53,295 --> 00:02:57,915
All of those elements of arts,
music, entertainment, film, anything,
60
00:02:57,915 --> 00:03:01,815
cultural centers, museums all under
one umbrella so that we can better
61
00:03:02,114 --> 00:03:06,255
work together, collaborate, and most
importantly, serve our community
62
00:03:06,255 --> 00:03:07,935
with the things they love the most.
63
00:03:08,370 --> 00:03:11,880
Elizabeth McQueen: So more streamlined
services, more collaboration,
64
00:03:12,150 --> 00:03:15,000
everybody kind of talking to each
other rather than being in different
65
00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,590
departments all over the city.
66
00:03:16,590 --> 00:03:17,130
Exactly.
67
00:03:17,130 --> 00:03:17,610
Erica Shamaly: Exactly.
68
00:03:17,610 --> 00:03:19,950
So now people will know, who do I go to?
69
00:03:19,950 --> 00:03:21,150
You go to one place.
70
00:03:21,420 --> 00:03:24,450
Uh, it used to be that you would
get, you know, kind of like,
71
00:03:24,450 --> 00:03:25,890
okay, oh, actually that's not us.
72
00:03:25,890 --> 00:03:28,530
You're gonna have to go into this one
division of this other department.
73
00:03:28,830 --> 00:03:31,170
So now we finally have that all under one.
74
00:03:31,170 --> 00:03:35,820
Place one intake, you know, to come and
talk to us about what may be needed.
75
00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:40,109
And it also does give us the
opportunity to create new processes,
76
00:03:40,109 --> 00:03:44,310
new ways of working together, because
that are dependent, not on several
77
00:03:44,310 --> 00:03:46,440
departments, but dependent on just us.
78
00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,200
Elizabeth McQueen: And you guys are
gonna figuring out how it all work.
79
00:03:49,260 --> 00:03:49,350
Right?
80
00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:49,530
Mm-hmm.
81
00:03:49,829 --> 00:03:53,549
And we are here to talk about
the Live Music Fund So has that
82
00:03:53,549 --> 00:03:58,350
delayed the release of the live
music fund application process?
83
00:03:58,350 --> 00:04:02,070
'cause I know last year it started
in May and it was done in June.
84
00:04:02,070 --> 00:04:05,760
So is that part of the reason why
applications haven't been released yet?
85
00:04:05,830 --> 00:04:06,370
Correct.
86
00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:08,830
Erica Shamaly: We are launching
everything all at once.
87
00:04:09,070 --> 00:04:12,910
The formation of Acme happened
in February, 2025, so we're
88
00:04:12,910 --> 00:04:16,060
like month four and a half, you
know, almost five months in.
89
00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:20,020
And at the same time, it was really
important for our new director,
90
00:04:20,050 --> 00:04:24,460
director, Angela Meads, to get to know
the community and listen to everybody.
91
00:04:24,820 --> 00:04:28,150
Listen to the folks who most have
been requesting this and why.
92
00:04:28,450 --> 00:04:31,090
And so it's kind of hard just to kind of.
93
00:04:31,175 --> 00:04:35,495
Keep on going As, as everything was
when it's not at all that anymore.
94
00:04:35,555 --> 00:04:38,435
Uh, there was a lot of listening
and, uh, learning that had
95
00:04:38,435 --> 00:04:39,635
to happen across the board.
96
00:04:39,695 --> 00:04:43,715
Elizabeth McQueen: And do you know when
live music fund applications will go live?
97
00:04:43,745 --> 00:04:44,075
Erica Shamaly: Yeah.
98
00:04:44,075 --> 00:04:46,175
So we're working very hard right now.
99
00:04:46,175 --> 00:04:49,145
We're all coordinating, finishing
up some key things so that we can
100
00:04:49,145 --> 00:04:50,855
start, you know, building it all out.
101
00:04:51,155 --> 00:04:54,575
So we anticipate October, you're
gonna see kind of a, uh, you know.
102
00:04:54,635 --> 00:04:57,515
One application, not just for the
live music fund, for the Creative
103
00:04:57,515 --> 00:05:01,895
Space Assistance Program, for the
Elevate Program, the Nexus program,
104
00:05:02,075 --> 00:05:03,815
and the Heritage Preservation grant.
105
00:05:03,844 --> 00:05:04,175
Elizabeth McQueen: Whoa.
106
00:05:04,175 --> 00:05:06,605
So is it gonna be like
a common application?
107
00:05:06,605 --> 00:05:07,145
Like there will
108
00:05:07,145 --> 00:05:09,080
Erica Shamaly: be a first
step that will be okay.
109
00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:13,205
And then based on those initial, you
know, answers that that will then kind of,
110
00:05:13,445 --> 00:05:14,825
you know, route yet to the right place.
111
00:05:15,420 --> 00:05:18,210
Miles Bloxson: So like a lot of
the applications will go live at
112
00:05:18,210 --> 00:05:21,780
the same time, but the first step
of the application process will be
113
00:05:21,780 --> 00:05:23,760
filling out this common intake form.
114
00:05:24,030 --> 00:05:24,480
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
115
00:05:24,570 --> 00:05:27,390
And based on that intake form,
you'll be assigned one or more
116
00:05:27,390 --> 00:05:31,620
eligibility verification forms,
and once you get verified, then
117
00:05:31,620 --> 00:05:33,390
you'll get access to an application.
118
00:05:33,945 --> 00:05:36,195
Miles Bloxson: Well, that's different
from how things were before.
119
00:05:36,435 --> 00:05:37,994
What about the grant amounts?
120
00:05:37,994 --> 00:05:39,195
That's changing too, right?
121
00:05:39,435 --> 00:05:41,924
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, and actually
the amount of the live music fund
122
00:05:41,924 --> 00:05:45,284
grants is something that's changed
with every new application cycle.
123
00:05:46,005 --> 00:05:46,424
Miles Bloxson: Oh yeah.
124
00:05:46,424 --> 00:05:50,715
And during the first year, there were
like five and $10,000 grants, right?
125
00:05:50,984 --> 00:05:51,434
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
126
00:05:51,854 --> 00:05:55,575
They had $3.5 million in the
fund, and only musicians and
127
00:05:55,575 --> 00:05:57,315
independent promoters could apply.
128
00:05:57,370 --> 00:05:58,660
No venues were eligible.
129
00:05:58,870 --> 00:06:01,270
Miles Bloxson: So how many
people applied that first year?
130
00:06:01,510 --> 00:06:05,500
Elizabeth McQueen: According to the City
of Austin's website, 660 people applied.
131
00:06:06,010 --> 00:06:08,260
Miles Bloxson: And how many
people actually got grants?
132
00:06:08,290 --> 00:06:09,460
Elizabeth McQueen: 368.
133
00:06:09,820 --> 00:06:10,270
Miles Bloxson: Hmm.
134
00:06:10,390 --> 00:06:11,410
But in round two, the
135
00:06:11,410 --> 00:06:12,460
grants were bigger, right?
136
00:06:12,820 --> 00:06:13,120
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
137
00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:16,870
In round two, the grants for artists
and independent promoters went from
138
00:06:16,965 --> 00:06:20,380
five and 10,000 to 15 and 30,000.
139
00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:21,190
Miles Bloxson: Whoa.
140
00:06:21,190 --> 00:06:22,180
That's a big jump.
141
00:06:22,210 --> 00:06:25,060
Did they still have $3.5
million to give out?
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00:06:25,425 --> 00:06:28,155
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, they also
added another million dollars to the
143
00:06:28,155 --> 00:06:30,315
fund and made it available to venues.
144
00:06:30,615 --> 00:06:34,125
Venues could apply for 30
or $60,000 grants, depending
145
00:06:34,125 --> 00:06:35,325
on their operating budgets,
146
00:06:35,445 --> 00:06:39,375
Miles Bloxson: So venues could finally
access the Live Music Fund But it seems
147
00:06:39,375 --> 00:06:41,715
like fewer musicians got grants last year.
148
00:06:42,045 --> 00:06:42,435
Yeah.
149
00:06:42,705 --> 00:06:45,970
Elizabeth McQueen: In 2024, the
live music fund had over a thousand
150
00:06:45,970 --> 00:06:51,400
applications, but only 137 applicants
got grants and 17 of those were venues.
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00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:58,780
Miles Bloxson: So going from over 368
recipients to 137, that's a huge drop.
152
00:06:58,840 --> 00:07:03,730
And really if you take out the venues,
only 120 musicians and independent
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00:07:03,730 --> 00:07:05,770
promoters actually got grants.
154
00:07:06,280 --> 00:07:10,930
I remember people being pretty upset when
the 2024 funding announcements came out.
155
00:07:11,020 --> 00:07:11,680
It wasn't good.
156
00:07:11,980 --> 00:07:12,520
Elizabeth McQueen: Oh yeah.
157
00:07:12,580 --> 00:07:12,995
People were.
158
00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:14,160
Mad.
159
00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:18,180
Andrew Weber talked to Tameca Jones
for a story he did for KUT and
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00:07:18,180 --> 00:07:21,810
she captured this feeling that you
and I saw a lot on social media.
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00:07:22,125 --> 00:07:24,990
Tameca Jones: I, I just
knew that I was in there.
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00:07:25,665 --> 00:07:29,385
I just knew it, it just, it,
it devastated me honestly.
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00:07:29,385 --> 00:07:31,155
I, it devastated me.
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00:07:31,215 --> 00:07:31,485
You know?
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00:07:31,485 --> 00:07:33,675
I was like going a publicist.
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00:07:33,735 --> 00:07:35,685
I was gonna get some new photos.
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00:07:36,075 --> 00:07:40,965
I was going to, um, make some more music
and, and pay the people who helped me
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00:07:40,965 --> 00:07:43,545
make music a, a, a fair, a fair rate.
169
00:07:43,905 --> 00:07:45,945
When, when I did my
taxes, I met poverty line.
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00:07:46,125 --> 00:07:48,645
Elizabeth McQueen: I mean, a lot
of musicians were frustrated in
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00:07:48,645 --> 00:07:50,295
the same way that Tameca described.
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00:07:50,715 --> 00:07:53,145
Miles Bloxson: Why did they
change the grant amounts to
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00:07:53,145 --> 00:07:55,485
be so much larger in 2024?
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00:07:55,875 --> 00:07:57,435
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, I asked Erica
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00:07:57,945 --> 00:08:01,695
what led to those larger grants in 2024,
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00:08:01,965 --> 00:08:03,915
Erica Shamaly: So this was an
ongoing discussion with our
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00:08:03,915 --> 00:08:05,320
music commission to discuss.
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How did it go?
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00:08:06,905 --> 00:08:08,104
Was that effective?
180
00:08:08,135 --> 00:08:11,104
And what can we do going
forward to be impactful?
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00:08:11,495 --> 00:08:15,755
Because you must remember when the Live
music fund was first formed in 2019,
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00:08:15,755 --> 00:08:21,425
the goal was to be a fund that would
transform the music industry in Austin.
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00:08:21,485 --> 00:08:26,315
Not just be a grant program,
but be a program that truly.
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00:08:26,885 --> 00:08:30,155
Helps to fill the gaps in Austin
when it comes to all the many
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00:08:30,155 --> 00:08:34,805
elements that need to happen for
a successful music ecosystem.
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00:08:35,255 --> 00:08:39,245
And so what we learned was is
that with the smaller grants,
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00:08:39,515 --> 00:08:41,284
it's a lot more administration.
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00:08:41,735 --> 00:08:42,784
Miles Bloxson: So what does that mean?
189
00:08:42,784 --> 00:08:43,414
Administration?
190
00:08:43,900 --> 00:08:46,090
Elizabeth McQueen: Okay, so the
city of Austin has an agreement
191
00:08:46,090 --> 00:08:49,600
with the Long Center to administer
all ACME funding programs.
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00:08:49,900 --> 00:08:53,230
So the city provides the program
guidelines and the long center
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00:08:53,230 --> 00:08:56,380
then processes the grants
according to the city's guidelines.
194
00:08:56,560 --> 00:08:58,180
Miles Bloxson: Why do they do it that way?
195
00:08:58,450 --> 00:09:00,370
Elizabeth McQueen: Well,
I asked Erica about that.
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00:09:00,460 --> 00:09:03,430
Erica Shamaly: We have a third party
administrator, and the reason why we did
197
00:09:03,430 --> 00:09:07,630
that back in 2023, and this wasn't just
about the economic development department
198
00:09:07,630 --> 00:09:10,120
or any of the divisions, it was about.
199
00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:12,880
The purchasing department within
the City of Austin and being
200
00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:17,470
able to handle that many grant
agreements that are handled frankly
201
00:09:17,470 --> 00:09:19,180
differently than say, a procurement.
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00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:23,050
Um, the city is, has a procurement
process with lots of rules and
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00:09:23,050 --> 00:09:27,370
policies in place, and so some of
the feedback we had gotten from.
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00:09:27,775 --> 00:09:31,525
Before the, even the live music fund
was implemented was it takes too long.
205
00:09:31,645 --> 00:09:34,945
It takes so long to get a check
from the city and it, it does
206
00:09:34,945 --> 00:09:39,535
because it's a, let's say, long
process that is there on purpose.
207
00:09:39,535 --> 00:09:40,915
It's about taxpayer money.
208
00:09:40,915 --> 00:09:43,585
It needs to have all of
these things in place.
209
00:09:43,585 --> 00:09:46,945
And so you're kind of trying to fit
a grant program into a procurement
210
00:09:46,945 --> 00:09:51,055
process, and the two quite aren't
the same, especially when it comes
211
00:09:51,055 --> 00:09:54,655
to the mission and the reason
for the funds and the intent.
212
00:09:54,685 --> 00:09:55,975
You know, procurements are about.
213
00:09:55,985 --> 00:09:59,495
You know, getting several bids and finding
the best cost, and there's a lot of
214
00:09:59,495 --> 00:10:01,835
other elements, but grants are different.
215
00:10:01,895 --> 00:10:06,635
There's a whole suite of reasons
why you score a certain way, and so
216
00:10:06,635 --> 00:10:11,975
by being able to find more capacity
with a third party was crucial.
217
00:10:11,975 --> 00:10:15,635
And this was a big, huge push from
communities to have a third party.
218
00:10:16,205 --> 00:10:19,205
And even mentioning the Long Center
before this was even decided.
219
00:10:19,620 --> 00:10:24,180
So we did go through a procurement process
in order to find the right third party
220
00:10:24,660 --> 00:10:26,880
and the long center came up on top.
221
00:10:26,939 --> 00:10:30,810
You know, in terms of all of the capacity
and things that were needed to kind
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00:10:30,810 --> 00:10:34,710
of like almost mirror what a city can
provide in terms of enough accounting
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00:10:34,710 --> 00:10:39,480
staff, enough staff, and, uh, oversight,
uh, that the city would deem acceptable
224
00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:43,800
so that we could do that type of
monitoring that is required of such a.
225
00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:46,550
You know, a large contract,
and we do this with several
226
00:10:46,550 --> 00:10:47,870
third parties across the city.
227
00:10:48,290 --> 00:10:50,270
There's just not enough
city staff to do it all.
228
00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:54,470
And so if we wanna get this money
out there efficiently and within a
229
00:10:54,470 --> 00:10:58,220
reasonable time period, you know,
once you know the applications launch
230
00:10:58,220 --> 00:11:01,850
and you know, all of those processes
we're doing a lot better than it used
231
00:11:01,850 --> 00:11:03,410
to be when it was all done in house.
232
00:11:03,655 --> 00:11:06,925
Elizabeth McQueen: So the city pays the
Long Center like a very specific hourly
233
00:11:06,925 --> 00:11:11,065
rate to perform tasks like reviewing,
eligibility or making payments.
234
00:11:11,125 --> 00:11:15,265
And fewer grant recipients means
fewer administrative costs.
235
00:11:15,685 --> 00:11:20,035
Plus, Erica told me that with as many
recipients as they had in 2023, it was
236
00:11:20,035 --> 00:11:22,330
hard to give people more big picture help.
237
00:11:22,854 --> 00:11:25,615
Erica Shamaly: It didn't give
us enough time to do the work of
238
00:11:25,615 --> 00:11:29,935
that transformational part, which
is, you know, that professional
239
00:11:29,935 --> 00:11:33,984
development, the assistance, um,
it's not just about getting money
240
00:11:33,984 --> 00:11:35,454
out there and just go for it.
241
00:11:35,724 --> 00:11:39,895
It's truly about how do you spend the
money and what is the most effective
242
00:11:39,895 --> 00:11:42,805
ways to invest this money in your career.
243
00:11:43,224 --> 00:11:45,775
Miles Bloxson: So, lemme make sure I
understand this correctly, Elizabeth.
244
00:11:46,074 --> 00:11:50,334
So bigger grant amounts meant fewer
people receiving grants, which meant.
245
00:11:50,525 --> 00:11:54,755
That the city was spending less on
administration costs and also means that
246
00:11:54,755 --> 00:12:00,035
the city staff was able to spend more time
helping individual grantees and that's
247
00:12:00,035 --> 00:12:02,074
why they increased those grant amounts.
248
00:12:02,165 --> 00:12:03,275
Elizabeth McQueen:
That's part of the reason
249
00:12:03,785 --> 00:12:07,444
Erica told me that the city also upped
those grant awards to make sure that
250
00:12:07,444 --> 00:12:11,105
the grantees had access to more money
to do the things they needed to do.
251
00:12:11,355 --> 00:12:11,415
It
252
00:12:11,915 --> 00:12:15,555
Erica Shamaly: It's not just about live
shows, it's about recording, it's about
253
00:12:15,555 --> 00:12:20,115
producing, it's about all the marketing,
social media, and then the content
254
00:12:20,115 --> 00:12:21,975
that goes along with making music.
255
00:12:22,215 --> 00:12:23,835
It's about paying your musicians.
256
00:12:24,045 --> 00:12:28,275
It's a long process that
can be extremely expensive.
257
00:12:28,605 --> 00:12:32,175
And so when you're having these
smaller, you know, investments, you
258
00:12:32,175 --> 00:12:33,735
can just do one little part of it.
259
00:12:34,365 --> 00:12:36,855
Miles Bloxson: Didn't people know
these bigger grants were coming
260
00:12:36,855 --> 00:12:39,915
and that it would mean fewer
people actually would get them?
261
00:12:40,350 --> 00:12:42,030
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, Miles,
you know how much I love to
262
00:12:42,030 --> 00:12:43,560
watch music commission meetings?
263
00:12:43,620 --> 00:12:44,370
Miles Bloxson: Oh, yes.
264
00:12:44,370 --> 00:12:45,750
I know Elizabeth McQueen
265
00:12:46,230 --> 00:12:48,930
Elizabeth McQueen: And I watched
a lot, and the city was very above
266
00:12:48,930 --> 00:12:50,670
board about this funding increase.
267
00:12:50,910 --> 00:12:55,140
They announced it as early as February,
2024 at a music commission meeting.
268
00:12:55,500 --> 00:12:58,860
But you know, I personally
love watching music commission
269
00:12:58,860 --> 00:13:01,110
meetings, but most people don't.
270
00:13:01,350 --> 00:13:04,980
So I'm not sure if everyone knew that
a lot fewer people would be getting
271
00:13:04,980 --> 00:13:07,950
grants in 2024 than did in 2023.
272
00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:08,810
Miles Bloxson: Yeah.
273
00:13:08,810 --> 00:13:12,140
Music commission meetings are
an acquired taste, shall I say.
274
00:13:12,230 --> 00:13:12,800
Elizabeth McQueen: Yes.
275
00:13:12,890 --> 00:13:13,970
They're my taste.
276
00:13:15,740 --> 00:13:18,709
Miles Bloxson: So the grant amounts
last year were much bigger now we
277
00:13:18,709 --> 00:13:23,030
know why, but were there any other
changes that happened last year?
278
00:13:23,689 --> 00:13:26,420
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, last year
the city also changed how artists
279
00:13:26,420 --> 00:13:29,000
could spend the award money in 2023.
280
00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:31,160
It was based on future projects.
281
00:13:31,530 --> 00:13:33,720
Erica Shamaly: And that was
based on how the other grants had
282
00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:36,240
always been and what we learned.
283
00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,930
That doesn't work for the music industry
because things change all the time.
284
00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:45,690
And so they can use the funds on
any eligible expense that's very,
285
00:13:45,870 --> 00:13:48,990
you know, specifically outlined
in the guidelines, but at their
286
00:13:48,990 --> 00:13:51,000
discretion of what they wanna do.
287
00:13:51,330 --> 00:13:55,290
And then as long as they promote
it and market it to visitors.
288
00:13:55,615 --> 00:13:59,695
Potential convention delegates and
audiences, local audiences alike, which
289
00:13:59,725 --> 00:14:01,465
that's what we do in the industry.
290
00:14:01,585 --> 00:14:04,915
In music, we do that
anyway, it's just built in.
291
00:14:05,395 --> 00:14:08,995
And so as long as everything you're doing
and it can even be recording a record
292
00:14:08,995 --> 00:14:12,385
and you're in the studio and you're like,
I'm, you know, recording my next record.
293
00:14:12,385 --> 00:14:14,875
I mean, how many, you know,
artists have you seen do that
294
00:14:14,935 --> 00:14:16,225
to promote what they're doing?
295
00:14:16,225 --> 00:14:19,315
Well, that promotes Austin that
promotes the live music fund, and
296
00:14:19,315 --> 00:14:21,235
so we have requirements around that.
297
00:14:21,625 --> 00:14:24,805
And so we wanted to make it as
flexible as possible so that.
298
00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:25,500
It.
299
00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:28,680
We get back to the point of the
live music fund originally, which is
300
00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:32,580
this transformative fund, you know,
for the industry here in Austin.
301
00:14:32,730 --> 00:14:36,120
Miles Bloxson: So it used to be that
you got a grant for a specific project,
302
00:14:36,330 --> 00:14:40,170
and now the way people can spend
this money is way more open-ended.
303
00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:40,860
Yeah.
304
00:14:41,250 --> 00:14:41,430
Hmm.
305
00:14:41,970 --> 00:14:44,820
And they're changing the grant
amounts again in 2025, right?
306
00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:45,390
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
307
00:14:45,450 --> 00:14:45,845
Here's Erica.
308
00:14:46,710 --> 00:14:49,740
Erica Shamaly: So for 2025, we're just
gonna try to find a middle ground.
309
00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:51,810
So instead of 30, it'll be 20.
310
00:14:52,170 --> 00:14:54,420
And then we will also do a $5,000 grant.
311
00:14:55,110 --> 00:14:58,440
Elizabeth McQueen: And is
there a delineation in 2025
312
00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,150
between the $5,000 grants?
313
00:15:00,150 --> 00:15:03,210
Those are for emerging artists, and
then 20 is for more established?
314
00:15:03,210 --> 00:15:04,050
Is that how it goes?
315
00:15:04,050 --> 00:15:04,350
Or it's
316
00:15:04,350 --> 00:15:06,270
Erica Shamaly: really just a
difference of what's needed.
317
00:15:06,270 --> 00:15:06,300
Okay.
318
00:15:06,330 --> 00:15:09,990
And you know, it's hard to dictate who's
an emerging artist and what that, how
319
00:15:09,990 --> 00:15:13,740
to define that, because you could be a
musician and go to a different instrument
320
00:15:13,740 --> 00:15:15,270
or a different genre, you know, have.
321
00:15:15,365 --> 00:15:18,065
Way through your career and
could be, feel like you're an
322
00:15:18,065 --> 00:15:19,415
emerging artist all over again.
323
00:15:19,895 --> 00:15:24,575
And so we didn't wanna be the definers
of what's emerging, what isn't.
324
00:15:24,905 --> 00:15:26,585
It's really about what's needed.
325
00:15:26,645 --> 00:15:30,875
And also having a more simple
application for those $5,000 grants.
326
00:15:31,325 --> 00:15:35,555
So we worked with, very closely with
the music commission and kind of also
327
00:15:35,555 --> 00:15:39,485
adjusted our scoring around, you know,
music industry accomplishments that was,
328
00:15:39,515 --> 00:15:41,525
you know, they really wanted to see that.
329
00:15:42,035 --> 00:15:42,515
Um.
330
00:15:42,885 --> 00:15:47,685
And so what we'll do is for those
$20,000 grants, it will have that
331
00:15:47,685 --> 00:15:51,734
music industry accomplishments scoring
category along with others, you know.
332
00:15:51,795 --> 00:15:55,185
But for the 5,000, that very
top scoring for music industry
333
00:15:55,185 --> 00:15:56,415
accomplishments won't happen.
334
00:15:56,474 --> 00:15:58,125
It'll just be scoring for the rest of it.
335
00:15:58,425 --> 00:16:01,964
Miles Bloxson: So this year, musicians
and independent promoters will be able to
336
00:16:01,964 --> 00:16:05,745
apply for $20,000 grants or $5,000 grants.
337
00:16:06,510 --> 00:16:09,690
Elizabeth McQueen: And the $20,000
grants will cover a two year period.
338
00:16:09,690 --> 00:16:13,590
So if you get a $20,000 grant this
year, you can't apply next year.
339
00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:16,440
But the $5,000 grants
will be for one year.
340
00:16:16,530 --> 00:16:17,940
Miles Bloxson: And what about the venues?
341
00:16:17,970 --> 00:16:19,500
How much can they apply for?
342
00:16:19,710 --> 00:16:23,130
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, venues
with budgets of over $60,000 can
343
00:16:23,130 --> 00:16:27,780
apply for $70,000 grants, and those
grants are for a one year term.
344
00:16:28,020 --> 00:16:31,380
And Miles, one thing we haven't
had a chance to mention is that
345
00:16:31,380 --> 00:16:35,010
the city has more money to work
with this year and next year.
346
00:16:35,275 --> 00:16:36,145
Miles Bloxson: Why is that?
347
00:16:36,865 --> 00:16:39,325
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, like we
said, because of Acme, the rollout
348
00:16:39,325 --> 00:16:43,405
of the live music fund was delayed,
and it was delayed past the end of
349
00:16:43,405 --> 00:16:45,175
the city of Austin's fiscal year.
350
00:16:45,565 --> 00:16:50,815
So the fiscal year for 2025 is gonna end
on September 30th, but the live music
351
00:16:50,815 --> 00:16:52,765
fund applications won't go live until.
352
00:16:53,105 --> 00:16:53,735
October.
353
00:16:54,305 --> 00:16:59,315
So in fiscal year 2025, the
city had $4.8 million budgeted
354
00:16:59,315 --> 00:17:00,845
for the live music Fund awards.
355
00:17:01,355 --> 00:17:04,745
They've decided to take that money and
divide it in half, and then they're
356
00:17:04,745 --> 00:17:09,395
gonna put one half of that award money
and add it to the award money for fiscal
357
00:17:09,395 --> 00:17:12,935
year 2026, and they're gonna take the
other half and they're gonna add that
358
00:17:12,935 --> 00:17:15,694
to the award money for fiscal year 27.
359
00:17:16,025 --> 00:17:20,495
So the live music fund is gonna
be giving away around $7 million
360
00:17:20,495 --> 00:17:22,625
total during this next round.
361
00:17:22,670 --> 00:17:23,750
And the round after that.
362
00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:24,770
Miles Bloxson: Oh, wow.
363
00:17:24,770 --> 00:17:29,240
So these grant awards will be smaller
this year than last, and the amount
364
00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:31,010
of money to give away will be larger.
365
00:17:31,460 --> 00:17:35,270
So there will definitely be more
musicians and independent promoters
366
00:17:35,270 --> 00:17:36,980
getting awards moving forward.
367
00:17:36,980 --> 00:17:37,310
Right.
368
00:17:37,580 --> 00:17:37,970
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
369
00:17:38,405 --> 00:17:39,995
At least for the next couple of years.
370
00:17:40,505 --> 00:17:44,195
But you know, the demand for the
live music fund has been really high.
371
00:17:44,675 --> 00:17:48,755
Like I said, last year there were over a
thousand applications and the total amount
372
00:17:48,755 --> 00:17:51,665
that people applied for was $29 million.
373
00:17:51,965 --> 00:17:55,865
So a lot of people want grants,
but there's just not enough money
374
00:17:55,865 --> 00:17:57,515
for everyone who applies to get.
375
00:17:58,545 --> 00:18:02,355
But Erica did say that the city is
looking at ways to grow the live
376
00:18:02,355 --> 00:18:04,665
music fund in a more sustainable way.
377
00:18:04,725 --> 00:18:08,985
Erica Shamaly: One thing I think
that ACME is going to do is look at
378
00:18:08,985 --> 00:18:13,155
ways we can raise more funds that
aren't just focused on hot like
379
00:18:13,155 --> 00:18:15,735
the Ho, you know, these taxes and.
380
00:18:16,265 --> 00:18:21,215
So that's one of our next steps of
our strategic process is establishing
381
00:18:21,215 --> 00:18:24,185
those pro those ways that we
can do that, which is possible.
382
00:18:24,275 --> 00:18:28,235
You know, it's just like a friends
of a park type of situation
383
00:18:28,565 --> 00:18:29,945
that happens throughout cities.
384
00:18:29,945 --> 00:18:30,695
In our city.
385
00:18:30,995 --> 00:18:32,885
We don't have anything
like that, but for Acme.
386
00:18:32,885 --> 00:18:33,575
But we could.
387
00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:40,130
And so next steps will be setting up the
infrastructure for people to donate to
388
00:18:40,130 --> 00:18:45,260
a cause so we can potentially raise more
money for more grants for all of this.
389
00:18:45,590 --> 00:18:47,720
And I think that's something Austin needs.
390
00:18:47,750 --> 00:18:52,190
Uh, we haven't been the best when it
comes to like traditional philanthropy.
391
00:18:52,550 --> 00:18:59,030
We are a tech city innovation and
we are earners, uh, but we're coming
392
00:18:59,030 --> 00:19:02,750
to a place where it's impossible
to earn enough money to do what it.
393
00:19:03,095 --> 00:19:08,195
Takes and costs to survive as either a,
a creative space, a venue, a theater,
394
00:19:08,495 --> 00:19:10,325
or even as a musician to pay your rent.
395
00:19:10,715 --> 00:19:15,965
And so we need the support of all of
these wonderful companies that are here,
396
00:19:15,965 --> 00:19:18,005
of our population, of our residents.
397
00:19:18,305 --> 00:19:24,035
And so we're going to facilitate a process
so that can happen, which is exciting.
398
00:19:24,725 --> 00:19:26,105
Miles Bloxson: And she mentions scoring.
399
00:19:26,165 --> 00:19:27,035
What's that all about?
400
00:19:27,545 --> 00:19:30,305
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, coming up after
the break, I'll tell you all about it.
401
00:19:34,005 --> 00:19:35,055
Miles Bloxson: Welcome back to Pause.
402
00:19:35,055 --> 00:19:39,345
Play the podcast about live music,
why it matters, and what comes next.
403
00:19:39,585 --> 00:19:42,615
In this episode, we're talking
about the future of the live music
404
00:19:42,615 --> 00:19:46,275
fund, and Elizabeth, you were
going to tell me about scoring.
405
00:19:46,605 --> 00:19:47,415
Elizabeth McQueen: Ah, yes.
406
00:19:47,415 --> 00:19:48,345
Scoring.
407
00:19:48,735 --> 00:19:52,695
So the City of Austin uses a scoring
rubric for the Live Music Fund
408
00:19:52,995 --> 00:19:56,145
You can see the 2024 scoring
rubrics, along with all the
409
00:19:56,145 --> 00:19:59,445
questions from the applications
and the eligibility requirements
410
00:19:59,445 --> 00:20:00,945
on the City of Austin's website.
411
00:20:01,145 --> 00:20:04,110
Miles Bloxson: And what kinds of
things did they score for in 2024?
412
00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:08,490
Elizabeth McQueen: So in 2024, the
scoring for musicians and independent
413
00:20:08,490 --> 00:20:10,050
promoters looked like this.
414
00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:14,940
You got up to 35 points if you could
prove you had limited access to resources.
415
00:20:14,970 --> 00:20:18,810
So things like whether applicants had
access to healthcare, whether a language
416
00:20:18,810 --> 00:20:22,710
other than English was spoken in the
household, and what kind of access
417
00:20:22,710 --> 00:20:24,480
applicants had to traditional banking.
418
00:20:24,570 --> 00:20:28,710
Among other things, you could get
up to 30 points for proving what
419
00:20:28,710 --> 00:20:30,720
they called local economic impact.
420
00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,020
So proving you were spending money
on local musicians or venues, or.
421
00:20:34,360 --> 00:20:38,169
Austin-based businesses, you got
up to 20 points for planning and
422
00:20:38,169 --> 00:20:41,949
outreach that included a tourism and
marketing budget, as well as proving
423
00:20:41,949 --> 00:20:45,729
how your projects amplified Austin's
diverse arts and culture sector.
424
00:20:46,300 --> 00:20:50,080
You could get up to 30 points for proving
that you had made projects open and
425
00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:53,800
accessible to the public, people with
disabilities, and people who spoke a
426
00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:58,030
language other than English, and you
got 15 points if you had not received
427
00:20:58,030 --> 00:21:00,324
funding during the 2023 Live Music Fund
428
00:21:01,215 --> 00:21:03,375
Miles Bloxson: Could people
see their scores last year?
429
00:21:03,375 --> 00:21:07,245
Like if they applied and didn't get
chosen, were they given their scores?
430
00:21:07,544 --> 00:21:09,345
Elizabeth McQueen: Erica told me
people weren't just given their
431
00:21:09,345 --> 00:21:13,575
scores, but if they requested it, they
could get the scores and have a city
432
00:21:13,575 --> 00:21:15,345
staff member walk them through them.
433
00:21:15,399 --> 00:21:15,480
Hmm.
434
00:21:16,145 --> 00:21:18,965
Miles Bloxson: And Erica was saying
that they're adding a scoring category
435
00:21:18,965 --> 00:21:21,215
called music industry accomplishments.
436
00:21:21,395 --> 00:21:21,815
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
437
00:21:21,905 --> 00:21:25,445
A lot of established musicians felt
like the last round didn't take the
438
00:21:25,445 --> 00:21:29,165
work that they'd been doing and the
careers that they had built into account.
439
00:21:29,495 --> 00:21:33,035
So in this new rubric
for the $20,000 grants.
440
00:21:33,235 --> 00:21:37,225
Music industry accomplishments
account for up to 25 points.
441
00:21:37,344 --> 00:21:41,695
These are things like awards, playing
shows where 300 people or more attended
442
00:21:41,695 --> 00:21:44,155
download numbers, touring and radio play.
443
00:21:44,754 --> 00:21:47,574
Artist development will
account for up to 25 points.
444
00:21:47,574 --> 00:21:51,415
So this is like career training,
participating in music programs,
445
00:21:51,415 --> 00:21:54,054
volunteering at benefit
concerts, things like that.
446
00:21:54,115 --> 00:21:57,534
And applicants do get more points
in this category if they have
447
00:21:57,534 --> 00:21:58,840
limited access to resources.
448
00:21:59,620 --> 00:22:03,730
Applicants can get up to 25 points
for Austin music economy development.
449
00:22:04,060 --> 00:22:08,770
So hiring and paying Austin musicians
and creatives using Austin spaces and
450
00:22:08,770 --> 00:22:10,870
collaborating with other local musicians.
451
00:22:10,900 --> 00:22:14,200
And then applicants can get
up to 25 points for cultural
452
00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:16,030
tourism, marketing, and outreach.
453
00:22:16,030 --> 00:22:19,810
So things like marketing to
audiences outside of Austin, making
454
00:22:19,810 --> 00:22:23,740
projects accessible to the public
and to audiences with disabilities.
455
00:22:24,040 --> 00:22:26,560
Now, as of the recording of
this podcast, this rubric
456
00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:27,820
hasn't been officially adopted.
457
00:22:28,585 --> 00:22:30,295
But it looks like it's pretty close.
458
00:22:30,715 --> 00:22:33,265
What about for the $5,000 grants?
459
00:22:33,505 --> 00:22:35,035
For the $5,000 grants?
460
00:22:35,065 --> 00:22:37,765
They won't have the music
industry accomplishments piece.
461
00:22:37,765 --> 00:22:41,815
They'll be scored on artist development,
Austin music economy development, and
462
00:22:41,815 --> 00:22:44,395
cultural tourism, marketing and outreach.
463
00:22:44,485 --> 00:22:48,145
And one thing to know is that so far
they've changed the criteria every
464
00:22:48,145 --> 00:22:52,345
year, but Erica told me this time the
criteria will be in place a bit longer.
465
00:22:53,655 --> 00:22:56,145
Erica Shamaly: So we're, we've
gathered data from the first year.
466
00:22:56,385 --> 00:22:59,084
We've gathered data from the second
year, and we'll do the same thing
467
00:22:59,084 --> 00:23:01,725
again, uh, for this next cycle.
468
00:23:02,054 --> 00:23:06,044
And what's interesting about this next
cycle is that these guidelines that
469
00:23:06,044 --> 00:23:09,584
we're forming as one Acme, there's
one set of guidelines that will
470
00:23:09,584 --> 00:23:13,544
cover all the different programs, is
that it will be in place for longer.
471
00:23:13,805 --> 00:23:18,125
You know, so we really, truly have
some time to see how it's doing.
472
00:23:18,395 --> 00:23:22,265
So the plan is to go back and do
a big update every three years
473
00:23:22,655 --> 00:23:25,715
when we've been doing it annually,
you know, this whole time.
474
00:23:25,895 --> 00:23:26,225
Miles Bloxson: Okay?
475
00:23:26,225 --> 00:23:30,605
So this new scoring criteria is gonna
be in place for like three years.
476
00:23:30,695 --> 00:23:32,705
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, Erica
told me that's the plan, unless
477
00:23:32,705 --> 00:23:34,115
something goes really sideways
478
00:23:34,325 --> 00:23:36,395
Miles Bloxson: and the long
center is doing this scoring.
479
00:23:36,395 --> 00:23:38,825
But isn't it kind of subjective?
480
00:23:39,185 --> 00:23:42,485
Elizabeth McQueen: I had that question for
Erica because I applied for arts funding
481
00:23:42,485 --> 00:23:47,945
before and I had to like go in front of
a panel and it did seem very subjective,
482
00:23:48,335 --> 00:23:52,565
but Erica told me that the live music
fund scoring isn't really that way.
483
00:23:52,625 --> 00:23:54,665
Erica Shamaly: There isn't
any subjectivity whatsoever.
484
00:23:54,695 --> 00:23:57,514
There's a set of guidelines,
there's some scoring criteria.
485
00:23:57,784 --> 00:24:01,504
We asked a question if an applicant
answers, you know, selects a,
486
00:24:01,774 --> 00:24:02,750
something pops up that says.
487
00:24:03,265 --> 00:24:06,475
Upload your documentation
to evidence, your answer.
488
00:24:06,775 --> 00:24:09,295
And so it's like that for
each of our multiple choice.
489
00:24:09,295 --> 00:24:12,625
And so their job is just to go
look at the documentation to
490
00:24:12,625 --> 00:24:14,275
see if evidence is the answer.
491
00:24:14,635 --> 00:24:17,815
And if they don't know, if they
can't tell, they, they create a
492
00:24:17,815 --> 00:24:21,505
list and say, okay, city of Austin,
let's go through these things.
493
00:24:21,505 --> 00:24:21,730
And you're.
494
00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:26,970
The final call of, if this meets what
you intended in the program guidelines
495
00:24:27,360 --> 00:24:30,600
for the other programs, there's panels,
outside panels that do different
496
00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:34,139
processes, and those are the types of
processes that have been around for
497
00:24:34,139 --> 00:24:37,919
years for both the cultural arts programs
and the Heritage Preservation grant.
498
00:24:38,429 --> 00:24:39,090
Miles Bloxson: So, okay.
499
00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:41,620
A lot of things are changing this year.
500
00:24:41,830 --> 00:24:46,330
First of all, there's going to be a common
intake form for all arts funding that
501
00:24:46,330 --> 00:24:50,050
will direct people to the grants they're
eligible for, and then people have to
502
00:24:50,050 --> 00:24:54,520
fill out an eligibility verification
form, and if they are verified, then
503
00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:56,530
they can apply for the Live Music Fund
504
00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:59,320
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah, and the
amount of money in the live music fund
505
00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:01,780
will be around $7 million this year.
506
00:25:02,110 --> 00:25:04,720
The amount of money people can
apply for is also different.
507
00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:05,110
This year.
508
00:25:05,110 --> 00:25:07,480
People can apply for $5,000 grants.
509
00:25:07,570 --> 00:25:08,950
Those are for a term of one year.
510
00:25:08,950 --> 00:25:11,320
People can also apply for $20,000 grants.
511
00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:15,970
Those are for a two year term, and
venues can apply for grants of $70,000.
512
00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:17,075
Those grants have a one year term.
513
00:25:17,745 --> 00:25:20,415
Miles Bloxson: The Long Center is
still going to score and administer
514
00:25:20,415 --> 00:25:23,985
the grants, but the scoring rubric
is going to be different this year.
515
00:25:24,195 --> 00:25:28,245
One thing they're considering that they
haven't in the past is music industry
516
00:25:28,245 --> 00:25:31,125
accomplishments for the $20,000 grants,
517
00:25:31,335 --> 00:25:33,495
Elizabeth McQueen: and this scoring
rubric is probably gonna stay the
518
00:25:33,495 --> 00:25:35,295
same for the next three years.
519
00:25:35,415 --> 00:25:37,430
Miles Bloxson: So when
will all of this happen?
520
00:25:38,145 --> 00:25:40,395
Elizabeth McQueen: Well, it looks
like the intake forums will go live
521
00:25:40,395 --> 00:25:42,465
sometime in September or October.
522
00:25:42,615 --> 00:25:46,305
There's actually gonna be four grants on
this intake forum, elevate, which is a
523
00:25:46,305 --> 00:25:50,955
cultural arts grant, the Live Music Fund,
the Creative Space Assistance Program,
524
00:25:50,955 --> 00:25:52,605
and the Heritage Preservation Grant.
525
00:25:52,995 --> 00:25:58,275
The actual applications should open
on October 21st, and then those
526
00:25:58,275 --> 00:26:02,055
eligibility forms will close December
1st, and then the application
527
00:26:02,055 --> 00:26:03,740
deadline will be December 11th.
528
00:26:04,470 --> 00:26:06,810
Miles Bloxson: Okay, so
that's a lot of changes.
529
00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:08,340
What can people do next?
530
00:26:08,430 --> 00:26:10,290
Elizabeth McQueen: Well be on the
lookout for the announcement that
531
00:26:10,290 --> 00:26:14,640
those intake forms are going live, and
when they do go live, the city's gonna
532
00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,150
release info about workshops to help
people who are interested in applying.
533
00:26:18,270 --> 00:26:21,870
We'll post a link to the city's live
music fund webpage in the show notes.
534
00:26:22,290 --> 00:26:25,380
Also, the Museum of Human Achievement
has grant writing hangouts.
535
00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:29,090
For a lot of city funded grants,
including the Live Music Fund There are
536
00:26:29,090 --> 00:26:32,750
these coworking events where people can
help each other with grant writing, and
537
00:26:32,750 --> 00:26:36,020
listeners can find a link to learn more
about those in the show notes as well.
538
00:26:36,260 --> 00:26:36,650
Well,
539
00:26:37,010 --> 00:26:40,130
Miles Bloxson: it's going to be
interesting to see what this round
540
00:26:40,130 --> 00:26:41,930
of the live music fund is like.
541
00:26:42,260 --> 00:26:42,530
Elizabeth McQueen: Yeah.
542
00:26:42,530 --> 00:26:45,230
I have a feeling we'll be
talking about it in the next.
543
00:26:46,665 --> 00:26:48,915
Miles Bloxson: In the next episode,
we're going to talk about the
544
00:26:48,915 --> 00:26:50,985
future of housing for musicians.
545
00:26:51,225 --> 00:26:54,195
And to do that, we're going to
take a look at a place that has
546
00:26:54,195 --> 00:26:56,804
been housing musicians for decades.
547
00:26:56,955 --> 00:26:59,955
The Metropolis Apartments Pauses.
548
00:26:59,955 --> 00:27:02,895
Play is a production of
KUT and KUTX studios.
549
00:27:03,044 --> 00:27:06,855
It's hosted in, produced by me,
Elizabeth McQueen, and me Mileson
550
00:27:07,784 --> 00:27:11,324
Engineering and editing help from
Jake Pearlman and Renee Chavez.
551
00:27:11,385 --> 00:27:13,629
Additional production
help from Jake Griff.
552
00:27:13,970 --> 00:27:16,310
Stephanie Federico is our digital editor.
553
00:27:16,490 --> 00:27:19,010
Michael Manasi is our multimedia editor.
554
00:27:19,130 --> 00:27:22,400
Our theme song was created by
the talented Jerron Marshall.
555
00:27:22,820 --> 00:27:23,060
Other
556
00:27:23,060 --> 00:27:27,500
Elizabeth McQueen: music provided by the
talented Jack Anderson and a PM Cosplay
557
00:27:27,500 --> 00:27:31,970
is a listener supported production of
KUT and KTX studios in Austin, Texas.
558
00:27:32,030 --> 00:27:34,280
Miles Bloxson: You can support
our work by becoming a sustaining
559
00:27:34,280 --> 00:27:37,070
member@supportthispodcast.org.
