Your Complete Guide to the “Austin Live Music Fund” 2025
Applications Open October 21, 2025
Hey Austin music fam! As your District 3 City of Austin Music Commissioner, I'm beyond excited to share everything you need to know about the Austin Live Music Fund, a city program that's putting $4.8 million directly into the hands of our incredible music community.
Whether you're a musician grinding it out at local venues, a promoter booking shows, or a venue keeping our Live Music Capital alive, this fund exists for YOU. Let's break down exactly how to get your piece of this pie.
What Even Is the Austin Live Music Fund?
The Austin Live Music Fund was created in 2019, funded by Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue to support our music ecosystem while promoting Austin as THE destination for live music. It's a win-win: musicians and venues get financial support, and Austin stays weird and loud.
This Year's Budget: $4.8 Million 💰
Yep, you read that right. Nearly five million dollars available for Austin musicians, promoters, and venues.
Who Can Apply?
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The fund supports three types of applicants, all in the Austin-Round Rock Metro area:
🎸 Musicians & Independent Promoters
Two grant levels:
$20,000 (24-month agreement) for professional musicians/promoters
$5,000 (12-month agreement) for emerging artists
You need:
At least 2 years performing professionally to public audiences (documented)
To be 18 or older
To live in the Austin-Round Rock MSA
For promoters: 3 or fewer employees, 2+ years curating/promoting shows
🎵 Live Music Venues
Grant amount:
$70,000 (12-month agreement) for venues with $60,000+ operating budgets
$30,000 option for smaller venues
You need:
Live music as your principal business function
Payment agreements with artists for every performance
At least 5 of the specific venue criteria (sound system, defined performance space, regular programming, etc.)
Hold Up—Am I Actually Eligible?
Before you get too excited, check these important rules:
⚠️ You're NOT eligible if:
You received a grant in Fiscal Year 2025 (musicians/promoters can't get consecutive year awards)
You already got a Cultural Arts Fund grant this fiscal year
You have delinquent status with the City of Austin
Less than 51% of your grant activities happen in Austin city limits/ETJ
The competition is REAL: Last year, over 1,000 people applied for only 137 grants. The demand was nearly 7x the available funding. So while I want every qualified person to apply, know that you need to bring your A-game.
What Can You Actually Use This Money For?
This isn't "do whatever you want" money, the funds must promote Austin as a music tourism destination. But that still leaves tons of options:
✓ Recording that EP you've been putting off
✓ Booking a tour to take Austin music nationwide
✓ Marketing and promotional campaigns
✓ Hiring other Austin musicians and creatives
✓ Equipment upgrades
✓ Venue operations and programming
✓ Merch production
✓ Professional development
✓ Music education and community programs
The key is showing how your activities will promote Austin's music scene to tourists and potential visitors.
Show Me The Money: How Much Is Actually Available?
Here's exactly how the $4.8 million breaks down:
$300,000 → 60 emerging artist grants ($5,000 each)
$3.5 million → 175 professional grants ($20,000 each)
$1 million → 17 venue grants ($60,000 each)
So if we do the math, there's room for 252 total recipients. If last year's numbers hold, expect around 1,000 applicants competing for these spots.
How Do They Actually Decide Who Gets Funded?
This is the most important section—pay attention! Your application gets scored out of 100 points across four categories.
For Musicians & Promoters (100 points total):
Music Industry Accomplishments (25 points)
Industry recognition and awards
Performances at 300+ capacity venues
Audience reach: streams, downloads, tours, broadcasts
Pro tip: Don't just list numbers—show trajectory and impact
Artist Development (25 points)
Career training and professional development
Teaching/workshops (schools, community centers, camps)
Benefit concerts and community performances
Access to financial resources
Pro tip: Show you're invested in Austin's broader music community
Austin Music Economy Development (25 points)
Paying City of Austin minimum rates ($200/musician for groups up to 6, $150/musician for groups 7-10, $1,500 for 10+ musicians)
Hiring Austin creatives and businesses
Using local creative spaces
Collaborating with other local musicians
Pro tip: This is about keeping money in the Austin economy
Cultural Tourism Marketing & Outreach (25 points)
Marketing strategies that reach beyond Austin
Promoting Austin as a music destination
Accessibility features for diverse audiences
Multilingual marketing
Public programming
Pro tip: Show how you're bringing attention TO Austin, not just performing IN Austin
For Venues (100 points total):
Austin Music Economy Development (40 points) - Worth the most!
Dedicating 50%+ of expenses to music
Hiring 25%+ local musicians
Supporting local creative businesses
Providing space for other creatives
Offering internships/apprenticeships
Audience Development (20 points)
All-ages access
Discounted tickets (students, seniors, creative workers)
Accessibility features for disabilities
Diverse genre programming
Collaborative programming with other arts
Cultural Tourism Marketing (40 points)
Partnerships with Visit Austin, hotels, restaurants
Marketing Austin as a destination
Expanding tourist and local audiences
Multilingual outreach
Important Dates—Don't Miss These!
Mark your calendars NOW:
📅 October 21, 2025 → Applications open
📅 December 1, 2025 → Eligibility forms deadline
📅 December 11, 2025 → Full application deadline
That's less than 2 months from open to close. Don't wait until the last minute!
How You Actually Get Paid
If you're awarded a grant, payments come in three chunks:
💵 50% → Within 30 days of signing the agreement
💵 40% → After you submit a progress report
💵 10% → After you submit a final report
Agreement terms:
$5,000 grants = 12-month agreement
$20,000+ grants = Up to 24-month agreement
You'll need to document everything and show how you promoted Austin as a music destination.
My Commissioner Tips for a clean Application
I've been in the meetings and it’s going to be as objective as they can be. Here's the real advice:
1. Start Gathering Documentation NOW
Don't scramble at the deadline. Collect:
Performance history and press
Financial records
Marketing materials
Collaboration documentation
Community impact evidence
2. Show Impact, Not Just Activity
Don't just say "I performed 50 shows." Say "I performed 50 shows across Austin, drawing X attendees, and collaborated with Y local businesses, generating Z economic impact."
3. Connect Everything to Tourism
Remember, this fund is about promoting Austin. Show how your work:
Attracts visitors to Austin
Showcases Austin's music scene nationally/internationally
Makes Austin a music destination
4. Highlight Your Austin Connections
Local collaborations
Austin-based vendors and partners
Community involvement
Economic impact on local businesses
5. Don't Sleep on Accessibility
Include:
How you make your work accessible to diverse audiences
Multilingual outreach
All-ages programming
Accommodations for disabilities
6. Be Thorough But Clear
Complete every section, but don't bury the good stuff. Make it easy for reviewers to see your strongest points.
What Makes an Application Stand Out?
Based on the scoring criteria, the strongest applications demonstrate:
✨ Strong professional track record in Austin
✨ Fair pay for musicians (at or above City rates)
✨ Active marketing of Austin's music scene
✨ Meaningful accessibility and inclusion efforts
✨ Deep collaboration with local music community
✨ Clear career growth trajectory
✨ Measurable economic impact on Austin's creative economy
Things You MUST Know Before Applying
Tax Implications
⚠️ This is REAL money that counts as income. Consult with a tax professional about how receiving $5K-$70K will impact your tax situation. Seriously.
Tourist Marketing Requirement
Every single activity must be marketed to tourists and potential Austin visitors. Have a plan for this.
Documentation Requirements
You'll need receipts, reports, and proof of how you spent every dollar and promoted Austin. Keep EVERYTHING.
Compliance = Future Funding
How you handle this grant affects your eligibility for future City funding. Do it right.
The straight Talk Section
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I created this guide because navigating City grant applications shouldn't be another barrier to getting support.
All The Resources You Need
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Official Application:
🔗 Apply here: Long Center Application Portal
Official Information:
🔗 City of Austin Live Music Fund: austintexas.gov/atxmusic/live-music-fund
🔗 Additional Resources: createaustin.org/lmf
Need Help?
📧 Email: applicationhelp@thelongcenter.org
📞 Phone: (512) 457-5161 (Spanish language assistance available)
Full Guidelines:
📄 FY26 AACME Funding Guidelines - Available on the City website
Got Questions? Let's Connect
I'm here to help. While I can't influence grant decisions (that wouldn't be ethical), I can help you understand the process, clarify requirements, and point you to the right resources.
Let's Do This, Austin! 🎸
Applications open October 21st. Deadline is December 11th.
The Austin Live Music Fund is our city's investment in YOU, the artists, promoters, and venues that make Austin the Live Music Capital of the World. This is your chance to get real financial support to grow your career, expand your reach, and keep Austin weird and loud.
Start gathering your materials now. Read through the official guidelines. And when October 21st rolls around, apply with confidence.
Our music community is the heartbeat of this city. Let's keep it strong.
Keep Austin weird. Keep Austin loud. Keep making music.
Clarissa Cardenas | Austin Music Commissioner
Last updated: October 16, 2025
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SOURCES: All information sourced from official City of Austin documents, FY26 AACME Funding Guidelines, Austin Live Music Fund official pages, and Austin music industry reporting.