[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6585793,"mediaKeyId","5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2","parentId",5595958,"title","ACME unveils new cultural funding guidelines; commissioners debate fiscal sponsorship and creative-space rules","audioSeconds",584,"startMs",5776000,"endMs",6360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2&start=5776&end=6360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2/thumbnail_5776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6585793/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/ACME-unveils-new-cultural-funding-guidelines-commissioners-debate-fiscal-sponsorship-and-creative-space-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585793-769ba6a672f08a73ab59a2144ed033db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770411526&Signature=gnGOJJXLJ5tVHAJY74xzMXCGzJXGxD6nOkx1tmvKGMP-FiFmhDwUNpQI6ZgPyV49BUumB8Kbn3wCla9h1TNjM0tv5lqtzr2p7YKxNEK7t9k9VJD2nhs8H~BCwZgY419wbozA2KxGy3XEK97-JSnY3mtxzu6Ila6Vw9gs3pmTyIVB1~LyPvU-~bbMWNR10zBreBZZ4IULDkJv66BzYY4jUO5o-6UBjw-Zr~FFlaI5bMzTTeKnjSdmBd-8ACbPCXdEuFC8X94jtADT~SwRXrCk0sl~yEhCtgQygSfPpYf8Y3p~xNxqbigcnxy4cXTv~IQbcJO8lGibHP~uyG-zpU7y8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-08-18T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Austin's Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment presented final draft cultural funding guidelines on Aug. 18, asking the Arts Commission for a recommendation as staff moves toward a Sept. 25 City Council request for action.

ACME assistant director Morgan Messick told commissioners the new approach consolidates program documents, groups applicants so similar organizations compete against one another and launches applications through a single \"stacked\" intake. Messick said the office plans an application opening Oct. 21 with panels and awards processed in January and funding distributed as soon as contracts are finalized in February or March. \"We have grouped together like applicants so that similar applicants can compete against 1 another,\" Messick said.

The guidelines propose three principal cultural funding tracks: Thrive (multi-year operating support for established nonprofit arts organizations), Elevate (annual project and operating grants for a range of applicants), and Nexus (entry-level awards). Messick said some programs will include fiscal sponsorship as an option; ACME staff described a pilot cadence for CSAP, the Creative Space Assistance Program, and an outreach plan to post final materials and scoring rubrics publicly.

Why it matters: The guidelines represent ACME's attempt to standardize hundreds of pages of prior program rules under one set of definitions and to make launches easier for applicants. The changes will affect how much funding different artists, venues and nonprofits can apply for and how panels score applications. Commissioners and many stakeholders said clarity on eligibility and perceived fairness will determine whether the changes help or hinder Austin's creative ecosystem.

Key details
- Timeline: intake form and applicant profiles opening later this month; eligibility checks in September; full applications Oct. 21'Dec. 1; review and panels in January; awards and contracts targeted for February/March. ACME plans repeat launch windows in future years.
- Program highlights: Thrive (two-year awards for established nonprofits; maximum two-year award up to $250,000 for organizations with creative space); Elevate (annual awards, multiple budget brackets for nonprofits and individuals); Nexus (entry-level awards of $5,000 or $10,000, open twice a year).
- User experience changes: a single intake profile, discipline-aligned reviewers, Olympic-style panel scoring (drop highest and lowest), universal appeals process, and \"stacked\" application intake developed with the Long Center.

Commissioner and public concerns
Commissioners repeatedly pressed staff about two issues that emerged in public comment earlier and during the presentation: fiscal sponsorship and CSAP eligibility.
- Fiscal sponsorship: During the meeting several commissioners and public commenters asked whether artists who would benefit from fiscal sponsorship'for example, artists on disability benefits who cannot receive certain direct stipends'would still have access to funding through ACME. Messick said fiscal sponsorship remains available in two cultural funding programs but acknowledged the document language had caused confusion and pledged follow-up communications and training. The issue drew explicit support from public speakers who had described fiscal sponsorship as an access tool. Commissioner Schmalbach told staff that the disability scenario raised by presenters illustrated a concrete benefit.
- CSAP eligibility and purpose: Commissioners and several public speakers objected that the proposed CSAP rules excluded many nonprofit-owned and multiuse creative spaces (studios, workshops and rehearsal facilities). Commissioner Kuchenny told staff the rules risk privileging commercially operated venues over nonprofit organizations that provide space and services for artists. Messick and other staff said CSAP is intended to prioritize support for spaces facing high rent and operating pressure that do not own their property; they noted CSAP has a modest budget (about $500,000 per fiscal year) and cannot solve all space-affordability needs. Commissioners asked staff to clarify definitions and to reconsider exclusionary language that might disqualify long-standing community venues.

Engagement and next steps
ACME interim chief administrative officer Candace Cooper and assistant director Messick reviewed an extensive public engagement process conducted during the Creative Reset. Cooper described thousands of comments and focus-group inputs used to draft the guidelines and said a public \"win/win\" response log showing how input was handled would be published. Messick said the office will bring the guidelines to the Music Commission Sept. 8 and to the Economic Opportunity Committee Sept. 19 before the Sept. 25 City Council request for action.

What commissioners asked staff to do
- Clarify and standardize the definition of \"creative space\" across the guideline appendices and program rules.
- Provide a clear statement of which programs allow fiscal sponsorship and how applicants can use that option.
- Return with legal counsel at the next Arts Commission meeting to answer conflict-of-interest and recusal questions raised by commissioners.
- Provide a clearer CSAP eligibility explanation and reconsider whether nonprofit-owned creative spaces should be eligible or have a separate pathway.

Quote
\"We painted the mural while the gallery was already open,\" Candace Cooper said, describing ACME's decision to extend engagement as community feedback continued to arrive.

Ending
ACME staff said they will post finalized guidelines, rubrics and sample applications once Council action is secured. Commissioners asked staff for clearer eligibility language, more explicit handling of fiscal sponsorship, and a legal briefing on recusals before any formal commission recommendation is forwarded to City Council.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Arts Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Austin's Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment presented final draft cultural funding guidelines on Aug. 18, asking the Arts Commission for a recommendation as staff moves toward a Sept. 25 City Council request for action.","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},6585778,"Votes at a glance: minutes and two commission appointments approved",6815,68000,6883000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2&start=68&end=6883","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6585778/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-minutes-and-two-commission-appointments-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585778-1992b5b6c4765c0c3f8417d49a106d9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770411526&Signature=mrUi34LWlPw~iuATACHj9aCFumz-1bJW2rOL2Am9CYN7UhjMGe2dN3zOIkSBg3daF6q~RiePmUTkt1fQ9Ndm760xc2zfQrgQFBxlmkdoGt5PXhEbw3xAUpgXRrPo3BS2NNLjLcdIICdJ0z3WmkRl7fq7jH8hW6fqC6uRJfzK7AoRmunk1nXuTOWjkEkiOu8QlSwZAgtDXgiNqKsYdwbZ1jPRSlMGIL8-kg2UUIX8RpSqLgupsTqVxyzv~ha3dJfIBUV2qkyjf9b2OKysJzxDhALcA1iXa4~b2Ep1eUaYMENQ9xx~FF-5haPEC7NYEhKyUGgOV9BkEJnu9l1Ligt99g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Actions recorded during the Aug. 18 Arts Commission meeting included approval of minutes and two commission appointment votes.

Minutes
- Motion: Approve minutes of July 21 meeting (motion moved by Commissioner Grama; seconded by Commissioner Zisman). Commissioner Garza abstained because he was not present at the July 21 meeting; all other commissioners voted in favor. Outcome: minutes approved.

Appointments
- Downtown Commission appointment: Motion (verbatim): \"I move that I be appointed to the downtown commission.\" (mover identified in the transcript as the commissioner speaking). Second: Commissioner Zisman. Outcome: motion approved by voice vote.

- Art in Public Places (AIPP) appointment: Motion (mover): Commissioner Gray moved that a named commissioner sit on the AIPP panel (transcript: \"It has been moved by commissioner Gray that commissioner Smallbox sit on the AIPP panel\"). Second: Commissioner Zisman. Nominee accepted. Outcome: appointment approved.

No formal vote on ACME funding guidelines
Commissioners discussed ACME's draft funding guidelines at length but did not record a formal recommendation vote at this meeting. Several commissioners indicated perceived conflicts of interest and requested a legal briefing on recusal rules before a formal vote. Staff will proceed with the schedule to present to City Council on Sept. 25; commissioners were invited to communicate individual views to their appointing council members in the interim.

Ending
The commission recorded procedural actions and deferred a formal recommendation on ACME funding guidelines pending clarification on recusals and legal guidance.","The Arts Commission approved meeting minutes for July 21 and voted on two commission appointments during the Aug. 18 meeting. Because some commissioners indicated conflicts of interest on pending ACME items, the commission did not take a formal recommendation vote on the ACME guidelines at this meeting.",{"_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},6585782,"Hotel occupancy tax collections for June reported; office notes reporting delays and short-term-rental questions",339,2554000,2893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2&start=2554&end=2893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2/thumbnail_2554000.jpg","/articles/6585782/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Hotel-occupancy-tax-collections-for-June-reported-office-notes-reporting-delays-and-short-term-rental-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585782-f8af416c79f7a74974eab95f65597217/orig.mp4?Expires=1770411526&Signature=ERKB9nMNngNEdpOFs1sP6nl-7~yqJIWWA-85qwHXBxzcrKsRF8UOEke1RTPr2MfoFd4YMEWUmdXTN2x8nRe8ALjH4ylyZzdth~HkmQV2HSBf0DNEHxBTBVn6sl1E~Ii4S3qiSrlDmD-3c6FoORk54WWaaGuhTBbmIN-ZMbh1cj~vRZe2htgYSMl1DjRnfMLK9q7htk9Nd85BkBekXXSp59GWZlqiDqHL3io8g5TYgtqhsiAc2PxDa8rH0IPHx44nXLla2-Hv0BezyVVewU0-HphjQy4xJR7ZfpEGzZocsh24~GwaZkS8xKoCpzf~5nSlNbSSdM3mk6fi3u5tG0Whxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jesus Pantel, cultural funding supervisor at ACME, briefed the Arts Commission on hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) collections on Aug. 18 and reviewed year-to-date Cultural Arts Fund totals and reporting timing.

Pantel reported that HOT collection for June was $575,476, and the Cultural Arts Fund portion of that monthly collection was $57,730. He told commissioners the Cultural Arts Fund actuals for fiscal year 2025 totaled $11,321,678 as of the report. Pantel cautioned that HOT reporting is delayed by a month: amounts collected in June represent hotel stays in May.

Commissioners asked whether revenue from short-term rentals (STRs) was included. Pantel said STR numbers were not in that month's report and that staff would confirm when STR collections would be visible in reports; commissioners asked staff to follow up with the budget office on how STRs will affect HOT projections given projected shortfalls.

Why it matters: HOT collections are the primary municipal funding source for the Cultural Arts Fund. Small changes or delays in reporting affect ACME's ability to plan awards and contracts for arts organizations.

Quote
\"The hotel occupancy tax collection in June was $575,476. That means, our hotel occupancy tax for the cultural arts fund collection numbers were $57,730,\" Jesus Pantel said, describing the month's receipts.

Next steps
- Staff to confirm whether and when STR collections are included in monthly HOT reporting and report back to the commission.
- Staff to confirm reserve accounting and whether prior differences reflect reserves or accrual-method changes.

Ending
Commissioners requested clearer, more accessible slides and continued follow-up on STR revenue and reserve balances so the commission can evaluate budget forecasts and program awards planning.","Cultural funding supervisor Jesus Pantel reported June hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) collections and year-to-date Cultural Arts Fund totals. Commissioners asked about the inclusion and timing of short-term-rental (STR) revenue and reserves used in prior years; staff pledged to follow up with finance and provide more detailed accounting.",{"_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},6585786,"Fiscal sponsors describe models, costs and benefits to Arts Commission",695,962000,1657000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2&start=962&end=1657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5595958-bfefe292660c8a16ea970ef0aafb65b2/thumbnail_962000.jpg","/articles/6585786/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Fiscal-sponsors-describe-models-costs-and-benefits-to-Arts-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585786-1a17ec474b2b2a32d466a764f32a1628/orig.mp4?Expires=1770411526&Signature=S32I99dZvG1qf-jJgTqjNTjbWW2q37rn-TxKn-cNd1hJ4r2DUPcBputISIe98RGaFnxtMK8KcKQGaLGIxA0U39fcq6GKLB4KOn8wGA9T5Z00UyfwcAzj-BAShyl0jDLlTct0YZx6AKD9e5uGwEUzYqTvmKnX4aaz40evysRDUZUSQhMVoDCsBN31LPU4ITPGO81D9on4NTcZVYrFlMUQXpoecAUE7h~HLvNGgg9jUMCr99kTgHjTfsMkIgvPUxDSPrBtk6PmQfE8VNmo9r46pxxUei8qIsaQ96jHgaAt2QYaYxEZnFGakTZAftUFQ~ilMsjavq-rEaYFIx~y7eiP3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from two fiscal-sponsorship organizations told the Arts Commission on Aug. 18 that fiscal sponsors help artists and small projects access grant funding, reduce administrative burden and provide compliance oversight.

Carmen Gaines of Local Color (San Jose) described Local Color's fiscal sponsorship program, which the group launched in 2020. Gaines said Local Color has managed \"over $673,000 in public dollars on behalf of 29 fiscally sponsored members\" and that 16 of those projects received city funding in San Jose. She said Local Color shares agreements, reporting templates and a resource hub with its members and funders.

Thaddeus Wier of Social Impact Commons (Philadelphia) summarized the field nationally and the commonly used legal models. Wier described two predominant models: a \"pre-approved grant\" or regranting model (often called Model C), and a comprehensive \"bride A\" model that integrates a project as an in-house program. He said Model A typically recovers 10'15% of revenue to cover back-office services, while Model C commonly allocates a larger share to cover grant-management compliance. As Wier put it, \"Model c, on average, allocates between 48%, of revenue for, the grants, management and charitable compliance work that attached to model c, fiscal sponsorship.\" He added that a 2023 field scan of about 100 sponsors suggested the ecosystem supports thousands of charitable projects and billions in revenue.

Why it matters: The presentations addressed a recurring concern in Austin's arts funding debates: artists who cannot receive direct individual stipends (for example, because of disability benefit rules) can still receive support through a fiscal sponsor that manages funds and pays a controlled stipend. Local Color and Social Impact Commons said fiscal sponsorship can reduce overhead for new organizations and increase access to funders that require a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent.

Questions and examples
Commissioners asked several practical questions. A staff member from Local Color described an example where a model-A sponsor received a grant for an artist with a disability, then disbursed a smaller stipend and paid project costs to avoid disrupting the artist's disability benefits. Gaines said fiscal sponsors frequently share agreements with funders and that national organizations such as Social Impact Commons and Social Impact Commons partners have been foundational in sharing templates and standards.

Presenters also said fiscal sponsors vary in cost and business model: some sponsors are subsidized by philanthropy and charge no fee to artists; others recover a portion of costs through fees or allocations. Wier emphasized that fiscal sponsorship agreements should be formal written agreements that outline responsibilities and exit rights.

Quote
\"Local Color is a 5 0 1 c 3 with the mission to to create equitable pathways for artists and creatives to thrive,\" Carmen Gaines said in her presentation. Thaddeus Wier said, \"We surveyed a 100 fiscal sponsors and found that there were over 12,000 charitable projects represented, by those that small sample and, about 2 and a half billion in revenue.\"

Ending
Commissioners and public commenters welcomed the presentations and asked ACME staff to clarify whether fiscal sponsorship would remain an accessible option across the new City of Austin funding tracks. Staff said fiscal sponsorship remains an option in two of the cultural funding programs but acknowledged the wording in draft guidelines had caused confusion and pledged to clarify program rules and applicant guidance.
","Representatives from Local Color and Social Impact Commons outlined fiscal sponsorship models used by arts funders: a regranting model and a comprehensive (\"bride A\") model. Presenters said sponsors expand access to charitable funding and shared legal/compliance infrastructure; commissioners and public commenters highlighted disability and access ","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ACME unveils new cultural funding guidelines; commissioners debate fiscal sponsorship and creative-space rules

Votes at a glance: minutes and two commission appointments approved

Hotel occupancy tax collections for June reported; office notes reporting delays and short-term-rental questions

Fiscal sponsors describe models, costs and benefits to Arts Commission