If Austin wants to remain the "Live Music Capital of the World," the city will need to invest more resources into supporting and promoting its resident musicians and artists, according to Mayor Steve Adler.
Adler announced a resolution Feb. 26 to investigate a host of programs, funding opportunities and resources that would support the local music industry and art sector. If the resolution is passed by Austin City Council, city staff will have 90 days to examine the feasibility of various initiatives and assemble a prioritized action plan, according to the resolution.
"We’re going to need all our creativity, ingenuity and vision to deal with the crisis that faces the musicians and artists alike who are getting priced out of homes and studio space," Adler said in a statement. "The work they are producing is as vibrant as ever, but this city has never been more unaffordable for them. And what do we ultimately gain if we get another weekend of the ACL Festival but we lose another Liberty Lunch?"
Adler's resolution cites a report recently commissioned by advocacy group Austin Music People that showed Austin lost 1,200 jobs in the local music industry between 2010 and 2014.
Austin City Council will consider the resolution at its regular meeting March 3.
Some of the initiatives that could be explored under Adler's resolution include:
- Encouraging live music establishments to add a gratuity to the bill for music
- Reviewing the feasibility of creating a foundation to capture music sponsorships from major corporations located in Austin, nationally, and internationally
- Working with education resources to aid musicians and creative artists in expanding their skillsets and helping them find employment in other creative ventures
- Incorporating a physical space with meeting spaces, online resources, back office for multiple small creative organizations and businesses
- Address affordable housing for creatives
