AUSTIN, Texas — Hundreds of local musicians and promoters have been awarded thousands of dollars in grants to continue improving and showcasing Austin's live music industry.
The City of Austin's Economic Development Department announced Wednesday that it has awarded $3.5 million in funds to 368 local musicians, bands and independent promoters through the 2023 Live Music Fund Event Program. Grantees were awarded $5,000 and $10,000 grants.
"Through the Live Music Fund Event Program, we stand by our commitment to Austin’s diverse artistic community, celebrating the rhythm of our city’s identity," said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, director of the Economic Development Department. "These grants empower musicians, bands, and promoters, helping further prove that Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World."
The City released a summary dashboard of demographics for this year's applicants and awardees. The dashboard shows that 50% of the grantees identify as majority diverse race or ethnicity and 32% of the grantees identify as majority female or nonbinary. Thirty-six awarded applicants identify as members of the disability community, and 95 identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
You can view the complete list of this year's awardees on the Live Music Fund Event Program's website.
According to the City, funding for the Live Music Fund Event Program equals 15% of the 2% assessment of annual Hotel Occupancy Tax allocations dedicated to local music.
The program, which is managed by the Economic Development Department’s Music & Entertainment Division, aims to "encourage, promote, improve and showcase Austin's diverse live music industry" and supports a variety of projects, including live and online music events, recording studio production, video production, merchandise distribution, and music broadcasting."
Learn more about the program and the Music & Entertainment Division as a whole.