$3.5 Million in Grants Awarded to Austin Music Community

The City of Austin Economic Development Department announces $3.5 million in funds awarded to 368 local professional musicians, bands, and independent promoters through the 2023 Live Music Fund Event Program. This program awarded $5,000 and $10,000 grants to help encourage, promote, improve, and showcase Austin’s diverse live music industry.

“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,” says 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 Live Music Fund Event Program embodies the City of Austin’s commitment to foster a vibrant and diverse artistic ecosystem. To view the complete list of the 2023 grantees, visit the Live Music Fund Event Program website.

View the summary dashboard of demographics for the 2023 Live Music Fund Event Program applicants and awardees.

• 50% of grantees identify as majority diverse race/ethnicity
• 32% of grantees identify as majority female or non-binary

Funding for the Live Music Fund Event Program, which is managed by the Economic Development Department’s Music & Entertainment Division, equals 15% of the two percent assessment of annual Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) allocations dedicated to local music.

The grant is one of the first arts-focused programs developed from new criteria informed by the 2022 Cultural Funding Review Process by the Economic Development Department, which was a three-year public process to center equity and inclusion in the City’s HOT investments in arts, heritage, and music. Recognizing the diverse cultural and creative talent within our city, the Economic Development Department recognizes its significant role in shaping Austin’s economic success and identity.

For more information on the 2023 Live Music Fund Event Program and other funding opportunities, visit www.austintexas.gov/department/atxmusic.

$3.5 million in grants awarded to Austin music community

368 Live Music Fund Events Program Grants Across City of Austin

The City of Austin Economic Development Department announces $3.5 million in funding awarded to 368 local professional musicians, bands and independent promoters through the 2023 Live Music Fund Events Program. This program awarded grants of $5,000 and $10,000 to help foster, promote, enhance and showcase Austin’s diverse live music industry.

“Through the Live Music Fund Events Program, we continue our commitment to Austin’s diverse arts community, celebrating the rhythm of our city’s identity,” said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of the Department of Economic Development. “These grants empower musicians, bands and promoters, helping to further demonstrate that Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World.”

The Live Music Fund Events Program represents the City of Austin’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and diverse arts ecosystem. For the full list of 2023 grantees, visit the Live Music Fund Events Program webpage.

See the demographic summary of applicants and grantees of the 2023 Live Music Fund Events Program.

• 50% of grantees identify as racially/ethnically diverse.
• 32% of grantees identify as women or non-binary.

Funding for the Live Music Fund Events Program, managed by the Department of Economic Development’s Music and Entertainment Division, is equal to 15% of the 2% share of annual Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) allocations. , for its acronym in English) dedicated to local music.

The grant is one of the first arts-focused programs developed from new criteria informed by the Department of Economic Development’s 2022 Cultural Funding Review Process, which was a three-year public process to center equity and inclusion in the city’s HOT investments in arts, heritage and music. Recognizing the diversity of our city’s cultural and creative talent, the Department of Economic Development recognizes its important role in creating Austin’s economic success and identity.

For more information about the 2023 Live Music Fund Events Program and other funding opportunities, visit www.austintexas.gov/department/atxmusic.

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About the City of Austin Economic Development Department
The City of Austin Economic Development Department supports business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable, sustainable economy to improve the lives of all Austin residents. To learn more about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd and subscribe to our newsletter. Connect with us @AustinEconDev on Facebook, @AustinEconDev on Xand @AustinEconDev on YouTube.

Information about the City of Austin Economic Development Department
The City of Austin’s Economic Development Department fosters business growth, creative industries, and local communities. These programs build an equitable and sustainable economy that enrich the lives of Austinites. For more information about helpful resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/edd y subscribe to our newsletter. Connect with us on @AustinEconDev en Facebook y @AustinEconDev en X y @AustinEconDev en YouTube.