[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6568738,"mediaKeyId","3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d","parentId",3193953,"title","At-a-glance: Austin Music Commission votes and appointments on May 5, 2025","audioSeconds",4565,"startMs",671000,"endMs",5236000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d&start=671&end=5236","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d/thumbnail_671000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568738/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/At-a-glance-Austin-Music-Commission-votes-and-appointments-on-May-5-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568738-80ea43a9a913fa9e478cb40181731fa2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949136&Signature=cDITro~WcJyxBMefLcSxn3Sg-1YUtaWmoVXMAeOJvcCBDNvvA44KGEuCSL3tYrUyru-eh7rtvUyy7r6l95Ay99jQfw~pecVn8xKQ4sJYV89-PDIGwCKkWxziD~qjBwD1AzLSoHSsNSKhfJdHroJ4vrG5lQZIucM6ekrqAeC0SK5TqWlWeehMXmSzI7IRyIetZ9nkOUPu5ZTilUt5ZkIXxePiIdXWTLEA3vpBjy7predaljLPlxzXJ~0ZHj3ZimsP~DyHk1~RLuGNMB3nCEqyB53yWxRmcJ7JcaBGane~TF-sp4267XZ9az286BQEx-SUhCQUzW7g0TzaId7Gkpvhtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","At the May 5 Austin Music Commission meeting, members handled routine approvals and elected officers for the 2025–26 term.

Approve minutes: Commissioner Carvalho moved to approve the minutes for March 3 and April 7; Commissioner Price seconded. The commission approved the March minutes with two abstentions (commissioners not named in roll call for that particular motion) and unanimously approved the April 7 minutes.

Elections and appointments:
- Vice chair: Commissioner Carvalho was nominated and accepted; the commission voted unanimously to install Carvalho as vice chair for the 2025–26 term.
- Secretary: Commissioner Strickland agreed to continue as secretary; the motion to appoint him was seconded and approved unanimously.
- Downtown Commission representative: Commissioner Silva volunteered and was approved unanimously to serve as the Music Commission’s representative on the Downtown Commission.

Procedural notes: Commissioners conducted these votes during the meeting’s business items; commissioners asked staff about procedural requirements for creating working groups or sending formal city-letter submissions (those would require an action item and legal review if issued on city letterhead).

Why it matters: officer elections and commission representation determine internal leadership and who will speak for music-industry interests on related boards and committees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Music - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the May 5 meeting the Austin Music Commission approved minutes, elected a vice chair and secretary and selected a representative for the Downtown Commission.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568743,"Developer to offer up to 10 rent-free artist residencies at new Rainey Street tower",445,4021000,4466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d&start=4021&end=4466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d/thumbnail_4021000.jpg","/articles/6568743/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Developer-to-offer-up-to-10-rent-free-artist-residencies-at-new-Rainey-Street-tower","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568743-2e8a4afd404ae1106e5689fc115b348d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949136&Signature=lOrkDyKlNHX9ZwB3WuEd9qFdRAK744dQsm6DP-OflwZyVC1y5ePdCc0vk~m897XUZRsbBs1jMxW7Eyvk8FZAG9VTLJF1wln1xixw7BB~i7IiGuUQsdD7GlaglgtwWfkx2SDbmnOQeDfIVRAI0zATA0spO5hoSoDUIJ~C6LBh0-8K12LCun1jkXkPOzXv5AXw0NkJqu4f-LTdh-cFZlNW6PB7u36fK5ygAA5Nc-kjmFkacyVT0nPLW1ufFptSlNueGgsXVg1Pby6rEgrs6~glKCKjdWPd-Ka8yFQ-sE4Z24qsB3HI8IEo50a6X3DIYFZ23TL-eUDAqnXVFuPBGqcOmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A private developer told the Austin Music Commission on May 5 that a new Rainey Street tower will include an Artist in Residence program to house local creatives rent-free for at least one year.

Alex Perkins, president of multifamily at LV Collective, said Paseo — a hotel-and-residential tower expected to open in fall 2025 — will set aside up to 10 units as part of the program. “We provide a rent free apartment for 1 year,” Perkins said, describing the company’s aim to relieve artists of housing costs so they can focus on their craft.

Perkins said Paseo will include roughly 557 units in total and that the artist units will have the same access to amenities as other residents. The company said the average unit across the building is about 780 square feet. Program participants are expected to host community events and deliver one major artistic contribution — for example, a mural, exhibition, performance or class — and submit a final portfolio and reflection at the residency’s end.

Applications are open now and close June 1; a panel including community figures and creative-industry leaders will screen submissions. Panelists listed by developers include Jim Ritz (Paramount and State theaters), Michael Hsu (Michael Hsu Office and Architecture), Ben Siegel (Bangerz; Rainey Street Business Coalition), Jackie Lee Young (photographer/creative director), chef Matt Peters and artist Heath Speakman. The developer said they received 97 applications for a comparable Phoenix program and selected seven participants there; two remained as residents after the program ended.

Perkins said there is not currently a dedicated performance stage or fully outfitted artist co-op inside Paseo, but a basement space remains unprogrammed and “may manifest itself into some sort of recording studio or venue of some kind.” The developer said they are open to collaborating with the commission and local partners to showcase residents and build program partnerships.

Why it matters: rent-free housing can give local artists time and resources to create and to engage with neighborhoods facing rapid development and rising housing costs.","LV Collective and partners described an Artist in Residence (AIR) program for Paseo, a mixed-use tower on Rainey Street opening fall 2025. The program will offer up to 10 rent-free units for at least one year to local artists; applications close June 1 and finalists are expected to be announced in early July.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568748,"Commissioners request airport representative after reported cancellations to Austin airport music program",250,3684000,3934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d&start=3684&end=3934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d/thumbnail_3684000.jpg","/articles/6568748/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Commissioners-request-airport-representative-after-reported-cancellations-to-Austin-airport-music-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568748-a8e64f812c6b3d92594a89df69882c34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949136&Signature=AEUy8WaYRnxOLUfZSF6NofoAOPgofPJuN1jQRcEa7Y0S~qXGdlDG6SLeqpYvfK-8KXnSQK7fTv9my1zVRd-RtYsDhMoDEG73SfqbJ6XGfHIYJbweuCqwS0Kkq1OaKL3-efKFHoF39pfeu3zZXGViMWV~x-IXnRwjsB2ldXjMdf4x8ejwMNR-RF23rOfrg1E0ky~S7VjE2oqiLWB5MRdPGhLX2uVOf5Q2u0cAWFappC5Va~4JgHX1GnwRqgB7wcnf1kCcaSptSeAWYVpRsCHOuYla1OVOCJmxMs~7xjd5dyj3kXFa0eayJ9~J8fRrJWzQErhA9Ln6T21KT10oFZmL6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Strickland asked the Austin Music Commission on May 5 to seek clarification from Austin-Bergstrom Airport about recent changes to the airport’s live-music program after several musicians reported cancellations and notices requiring reapplication.

“Since 1999, the live music program at the Austin Bergstrom Airport has served as both a sanctuary and a stage for Austin musicians,” Strickland read in a prepared statement. The statement said the airport program had provided about 1,300 performances annually and operated on an approximately $500,000 budget. It also praised long-time program manager Michael Penick and said recent staffing and management changes have caused disruptions and cancellations.

Strickland formally requested that Constance White, or a representative from the airport music program, appear before the Music Commission to clarify the airport’s current and future plans for live music programming. “We seek transparency, collaboration, and maintaining the program standards,” he said.

Erica Shamley, music and entertainment division manager representing ACME staff, told commissioners the department would add a staff update on the airport music program to next month’s agenda. “We’ve worked with Michael Penick for years and years at the music entertainment division, and so we look forward to coming back to you guys with a really productive update,” Shamley said.

Why it matters: airport gigs are a recurring income source for many local musicians, especially during hot summer months when outdoor programming is limited; cancellations can materially affect musician livelihoods and community perception of the program’s stability.","Commissioner Strickland requested an update from Austin-Bergstrom Airport after musicians reported recent gig cancellations and reapplication notices. Staff agreed to place an airport music-program briefing on next month’s agenda.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568753,"Austin music commissioners debate next steps on performance-rights transparency, propose working group",453,1767000,2220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d&start=1767&end=2220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d/thumbnail_1767000.jpg","/articles/6568753/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-music-commissioners-debate-next-steps-on-performance-rights-transparency-propose-working-group","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568753-251885b5021d071cfc0d81cafc7b079a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949136&Signature=dG9X3Uq0mWJuDNL6de5rTMAaywuEB8Z7LTjzbRc3wHMjcjSFcLXiJbCGpWhP88mmPrXSnv8w4PMTo8~0QLZN6BH75CeiZSVIe83xZdJFOwPaGFcNci-55Ffqbu0JVSjMMFDLtcqC0-UA~Hmeq7UL9gRoDfaMyvqO2pG6kRj4Bt9boyuM-sM4Blfo5OqUiar66Lb5Udo7ihIudtVi7E7pTxRidEVwHBjdhzMCWuj2qqf0WcxIQGJ0wxiAB9JByK9U67lXDp9GWma7iy9GoSSVr5MpyXbhENEIqb2s31O3Bb~BVQKJtMsrQ1gBdTBiv1B5wq8PLy5ie7ZGep2~Qwfi0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners at the Austin Music Commission on May 5 discussed growing concerns about how performance-rights organizations (PROs) license music and distribute royalties, and aired a draft that would ask Congress for standardized licensing, enhanced transparency and equity assessments.

Commissioner Strickland presented a draft statement the commission could submit to Congress, saying the proliferation of PROs and opaque royalty distribution practices disproportionately harm independent and underrepresented artists. “We are concerned about the proliferation of PROs, the transparency of licensing royalty distribution, the impact that it has on local artists,” Strickland said, summarizing the draft.

The draft asks for uniform licensing guidelines across PROs, clear disclosure of licensed works and detailed royalty distribution reports. It also asks Congress to commission equity audits of PROs to break down royalty distribution by genre, race, ethnicity and gender, and to reform “black box” royalties — funds that remain unclaimed or unmatched and can default to major rights holders — so they better serve independent artists.

Commissioners who operate venues described repeated fees from multiple licensing entities and the administrative burden of tracking rights for venue- and set-list-based payments. Commissioner Carvalho said the practice sometimes “feels like extortion” to venues that must pay several entities every quarter. Commissioner England recommended the draft also request an expense breakdown from PROs so venues and artists can see how fees are spent.

Strickland said he had discussed the issue with industry representatives, including Michael Collins and Mitch Ballard, who wanted a more detailed, off-the-record conversation before public engagement. Commissioners asked whether the commission could submit formal input before a May 25 deadline; staff said the Music Commission would need a formal vote on any city-letterhead submission and suggested either scheduling a special meeting or commissioners submitting individual comments before the deadline.

No formal motion to send a city-sanctioned letter was approved at the May 5 meeting. Commissioners agreed to continue refining the document, explore whether legal review would be required for a city-letter submission, and consider convening a short working group or special meeting to finalize any official recommendation.

Why it matters: PRO transparency and royalty-distribution questions affect how much working musicians and smaller venues receive from public performances and streaming; commissioners want greater disclosure and mechanisms to ensure equitable pay.","Commissioners reviewed a draft letter urging congressional action on transparency and equity in performance-rights organizations (PROs), discussed venue impacts and black-box royalties and considered a special meeting or working group to finalize city input before a May 25 deadline.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568758,"City’s new ACME office outlines community-driven overhaul of cultural funding, targets Council approval in July",507,733000,1240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d&start=733&end=1240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193953-076ae2d50421ed94dde7082d95e0977d/thumbnail_733000.jpg","/articles/6568758/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Citys-new-ACME-office-outlines-community-driven-overhaul-of-cultural-funding-targets-Council-approval-in-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568758-f247bacbb79fabc99dc0cd47dd14f12c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770949136&Signature=IiPsGFRUjsiEdpEbhPtaID2hNMlPIHmYT0LUWqbxBKHmXbF-7aosnMS2i3CqCO8vqS14cfq9u530HfFDy3pywNtO9CIJIvMPSzafF4En2oktazTfDNsylxRukmn4sbmxEgHZ7y5HUsiVoXJ94zdXgNMrOxonCphZ17ucHqFA1a1MFslGtScgt9q5oEace~FORwh61ZA7QCDFeDIgvGXsHyzewtWY6apom8oxl2LXq8XbxM~9X~jl~DFLdWYTIshUwHmJvJRhz6bB4tl1h9RD66TtS9txGKUzkaYDEKM5CajVZV2ciybQbAi9f1r8-QJ9RzulaoXQlKYXEvc61BvWUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Music Commission staff on May 5 outlined a community-driven review of city cultural funding programs and presented year-to-date Live Music Fund and hotel occupancy tax collection figures.

The Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, known as ACME, is evaluating the funding ecosystem that includes the Live Music Fund, Elevate, Nexus, Thrive, the Creative Space Assistance Program and the heritage preservation grant. Erica Chamblee, music and entertainment division manager, and Morgan Messick, ACME assistant director, told the commission the review is intended to make funding more equitable and easier to navigate for artists and organizations.

“This is a community-focused approach,” Chamblee said, noting ACME staff plan to revise program language in response to community feedback and recent Texas legislative changes. Messick said the department has compiled five years of public feedback and will use an AI tool to surface common themes for the working groups and focus groups that will help shape revised guidelines.

ACME presented an abbreviated timeline for the guideline update: staff are collecting input through May, will analyze and draft revisions in June, and plan to present a request for Council action (RCA) in July. The department’s target is a public rollout of final application materials in August and distribution of funds in January 2026, with contract administration handled in partnership with the Long Center.

Messick described the engagement program as a mix of surveys, focus groups and one-on-one meetings with invited stakeholders and said invitations are already rolling out. She also said ACME will provide a “meeting in a box” option for organizations unable to participate in scheduled sessions.

On program delivery, Erica Shamley, music and entertainment division manager, reported on the Live Music Fund’s fiscal-year 2024 grantee status: almost all award agreements have been executed, 70 second payments have been issued to date out of 136 total awardees, and 18 grantees have completed final reporting. Kim McCarson’s office provided a separate briefing on FY25 hotel occupancy tax collections; Chamblee noted reporting is staggered and March activity often appears in subsequent-month filings.

Commissioners raised questions about conflict-of-interest rules applying to working-group participants who may apply for grants and about aligning different grant programs so applicants face fewer barriers. Messick said legal counsel had been consulted regarding conflicts and that staff would follow up with specifics by email.

ACME staff said the engagement and revision process will include input from the commission and other city advisory bodies before being taken to Council. Staff will return to the Music Commission with progress updates.

Why it matters: the changes could alter eligibility, scoring and reporting requirements for multiple city funding programs and affect when local arts organizations can apply for and receive public grant dollars.","Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME) staff briefed the Austin Music Commission on a review of city cultural funding programs, a community engagement timeline and Live Music Fund statistics. Staff said they will present final guidelines to City Council in July and aim to distribute funds in January 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At-a-glance: Austin Music Commission votes and appointments on May 5, 2025

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Commissioners request airport representative after reported cancellations to Austin airport music program

Austin music commissioners debate next steps on performance-rights transparency, propose working group

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