Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund Launched

AUSTIN, TX — City officials on Thursday announced the launch of the Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund aimed at preserving entertainment places across Austin.

The City of Austin Economic Development Department program was created by virtue of Austin City Council action establishing the $15 million Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund through Ordinance No. 20201001-052, officials explained in an advisory. Council adopted the final guidelines for the $5 million Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund on last Thursday via Resolution No. 20200103-013.

Through a partnership with the City of Austin, the Long Center for the Performing Arts will provide application assistance, process applications, and administer funds, officials added.

“Live music venues strengthen our cultural and economic ecosystem and contribute to Austin’s international appeal,” Austin’s Chief Economic Recovery Officer Veronica Briseño said in a prepared statement. “Our team worked with the Long Center to quickly open the application portal one week after Council approved the guidelines. Our goal is to have the money flow to live music venues before the end of the month. This critical support will help sustain our music venues until it is safe for them to reopen.”

Eligible live music venues must be located in a City of Austin City Council District; must meet the city’s definition of a live music venue; and must have significantly reduced operations since March 2020, officials noted. Applicants must also meet or exceed the City’s COVID-19 safety guidelines, which can be found online at the city's COVID-19 Information portal.

“The Long Center is excited to be able to support the city and our music community by providing this critical community service," Long Center President/CEO Cory Baker said in a prepared statement. "This opportunity aligns with our strategic goals to serve as a conduit and resource to the creative sector and a partner supporting the city’s efforts. As the creative community continues to struggle through the pandemic, preserving performance spaces across the city is vital. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and get assistance out quickly.”

The Austin Live Music Venue Preservation Fund will be distributed in two phases:

Phase 1: Emergency Funding

• Eligible applicants experiencing immediate risk of closure will receive a $20,000 grant, which the Long Center will distribute in December 2020.
• Services that will be available to venues receiving emergency funding include: legal and accounting services; real estate advice and guidance on lease negotiations; and other professional services and long-term planning from community experts.

Phase 2: Enhanced Funding

• Eligible applicants can apply for additional grant funding up to $140,000 (this does not include funds received from the first phase).
• Grant recipients must complete a technical assistance evaluation and an Equity Strategic Plan in order to apply for more funds during the second phase.
• The funding will be distributed in monthly payments with a maximum of $40,000 per month.

Application Opens:

Friday (Dec. 11) at 10 a.m.

Application Closes:

Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at 5 p.m.

How to Apply

Application and eligibility guidelines available online at the Long Center's Save Austin Venues portal. For eligibility questions and application assistance, contact the Long Center by email saveaustinvenues@thelongcenter.org or by phone (512) 457-5181.