The initiative has been in the works at the city for months and represents a second phase of the Austin Music Disaster Relief Grant program that first supported those in the local music industry in 2020. Through the current funding period, hundreds of eligible artists and others in the music industry will each receive $2,000 grants pulled from more than $2 million of the city's American Rescue Plan Act relief dollars.
"This round of the Austin Music Disaster Relief Grant expands the eligibility criteria so more professional musicians, promoters and workers qualify for support as our music industry continues to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic," said Veronica Briseño, Austin's chief economic recovery officer, in a statement. "The $2.3 million available this year builds upon the $1.5 million we distributed in 2020 to ensure workers in this vital sector can afford immediate needs like rent and groceries."
Grants are available to professional musicians as well as promoters and others in the music industry who live in the Greater Austin region including Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties. Applications for the support program opened in mid-January and will close Jan. 28 with money likely to be mailed out after several weeks of review.
Program and application details may be viewed here.
