Resources for Creatives

City of Austin Resources

The Cultural Arts Division supports the economic development and revitalization of the City of Austin by strengthening and promoting arts, culture, and creative industries. This is accomplished by initiatives listed below:

Capital Investment & Cultural Training
- Art in Public Places Program commissions artworks for public facilities
- TEMPO artists create temporary public artworks for the outdoors
- Artist in Residence Program selects artist to address issues identified by participating department
- LaunchPAD Program professional development of artists in public art, $15K stipend
- Arts Commission advises city council in all arts-related matters
Creative Industry Programs
- Creative Content Incentive Program incentives to qualifying film, tv, video game, visual effects projects
- The Media Production and Development Zone 2 year sales/use tax exemption on a media production facility
- Austin's UNESCO designation as City of Media Arts strengthens opportunities for development with UNESCO network
Cultural Funding Programs
- Art Space Assistance Program grants to support non-profits facing permanent displacement
- Art in Sacred Places Program spaces to work, rehearse, and perform in unused sacred spaces
- Core Funding Program $ support to 501c3 arts and culture organizations, individuals
- Community Initiatives Program $ for marketing, production, public performances and exhibitions
- Cultural Expansion Program $ for marketing of arts organizations serving underserved audiences
- Cultural Heritage Festivals Program $ to local 501c3 organizations for culturally-specific festivals
- Capacity Building Program $ to 501c3 organizations for organizational infrastructure
Public Programs & Outreach
- People's Gallery showcases Austin-area visual artists at City Hall
- Art After Six free community arts events
- Austin's New Year annual free event on Vic Mathias Shores
- City of Austin Artwork Donation and Loan Policy community can propose artworks to buy
- City of Austin Small Business Program business resources
- Artist Inc entrepreneurship program
Other Resources
- ALL ATX Austin's musician advocate dedicated to their success and overall well-being
- Art Alliance Austin works with artists, museums, curators, galleries to create diverse programming
- Austin Creative Alliance advance, connect, advocate for Austin's arts, cultural, creative communities
- Austin Emerging Art Leaders chapter of Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Network
- Austin Federation of Musicians assists local musicians with wages, work conditions, employment
- Austin Film Society empowers community to make, watch and love film and creative media
- Austin Music Foundation helps artists navigate opportunities in the music industry
- Austin Songwriters Group opportunities through workshops, events, annual symposium
- Capitol View Arts arts education, collaborative opportunities, preservation of venues
- Dart Music International assists global artists obtain work visas, appearances
- Health Alliance for Austin Musicians healthcare for low income, uninsured, working musicians
- I Respect Music supports a musician's rights to pay for radio airplay
- Live Music Tutor online music platform that connects instructors, students, and enthusiasts
- Mike Tolleson & Associates free legal clinic Wednesdays
- MusiCares covers financial, medical, personal emergencies for music professionals
- SIMS Foundation financial support for mental health and addiction services
- Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts pro bono legal and accounting assistance
- The Texas Music Office State support of music, liaison to state government
- The Writer's League of Texas forum for information, support, sharing among writers
- TuneCore helps artists sell music online, keep 100% of their rights/sales revenue, collect royalties