Austin Live Music Fund

The Austin Live Music Fund is a funding opportunity administered by the City of Austin as part of its AACME (Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment) funding programs. The fund is designed to support and promote Austin’s vibrant music industry by funding activities that attract cultural tourism. Eligible applicants include professional musicians, independent promoters, and live music venues, each with unique eligibility and documentation requirements. The fund’s purpose is to stimulate Austin’s cultural economy by enabling artists and venues to showcase their work through live and online public events, studio recordings, video and merchandise production, promotional tours outside Austin, and broader marketing campaigns. By enhancing these cultural outputs, the fund aims to increase tourism revenue, support creative industry employment, and foster artist development within the Austin area. Award amounts vary based on applicant type. Professional musicians and independent promoters may apply for either a $5,000 award with a 12-month agreement or a $20,000 award with a 24-month agreement. Live music venues that can demonstrate an operating budget of at least $60,000 are eligible for a $70,000 grant with a 12-month agreement. All activities must primarily take place within the City of Austin Council Districts or its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and include at least 51% of performers who meet the professional musician definition and reside within the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area. Eligibility requirements are specific and well-defined. Professional musicians must demonstrate at least two years of regular public performance or submit proof of six released recordings or promotionally released videos. Independent promoters must have no more than three staff members, show at least two years of activity in promoting live shows, and be unaffiliated with a single venue. Live music venues must meet at least five operational criteria, including defined audience space, sound and lighting equipment, event staff, admission practices, marketing, and consistent programming. Nonprofits, government entities, and recipients of other current-year City Cultural Arts Funds are not eligible. Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify their eligibility and application responses. Required materials may include resumes, biographies, press coverage, performance schedules, promotional materials, tax forms, and operating budgets. Scoring is based on four weighted categories: Music Industry Accomplishments, Artist Development, Austin Music Economy Development, and Cultural Tourism Marketing and Outreach, each worth up to 25 points. A narrative section is also included, though it is not scored. The application deadline is December 4, 2025. Workshops and office hours are available both in-person and virtually, offering support to prospective applicants prior to submission. Applications must be completed in full, with all supporting documentation uploaded in accepted formats such as PDF, JPG, MP3, MP4, DOC, or XLS. Apple file formats are not supported. Based on the fund's previous annual cycles and current schedule, it is anticipated the next application window will open around the same period in 2026.

Applicants must upload documentation for every answer. Apple files not accepted.