What’s happening?
This year, Zilker Theatre Productions—the host of annual summer musicals with free admission at Zilker Park’s Hillside Theater—did not receive any grant awards from the Elevate Grant or the Thrive Grant. Both grants focused on awarding recipients based on specific criteria focusing on equity in an organization’s mission. The criteria was updated in 2022. According to city documents, both grants prioritize organizations that meet the following:
- Serve communities with lower populations in Austin, including Black/African American, Native American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander communities
- Have members that represent communities, including LGBTQ+ and disabled communities
- Focus on equity through program development and diverse leadership
- Have previously faced barriers receiving resources from institutions like the city of Austin
- Show financial need
- Invest in long-term environmental sustainability
Since the early 2000s, ZTP has offered American Sign Language nights and made structural improvements to the theater to comply with disability requirements. In 2022, ZTP started hosting neurodiversity and sensory inclusivity nights in partnership with ACES Austin. ZTP has “made an intentional effort” toward diversifying their cast, crew and production team, ZTP board President Lisa Muir said in a news release.
ZTP did not respond to further questions about not meeting the application criteria or diversity efforts as of press time.
In 2023, the organization received $30,000 from the Elevate Grant, which is awarded by the Cultural Arts Division. That same year, ZTP was also informed by nonprofit Austin Parks Foundation they would not receive funding from them or the city of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Muir said in an email.
Muir said the funding from the Austin Parks Foundation and PARD was historically used for stage repairs. The Cultural Arts grants were used to pay artist and crew salaries and show production costs.
The specifics
Over 480 organizations applied for the grants this year, with 35 selected for Thrive and 225 selected for the Elevate Grant. The Cultural Arts Division had a $13 million budget in funding, but received requests upward of $45 million, said Morgan Messick, assistant director of the Cultural Arts Division.
Since the pandemic, more arts organizations have applied for city grants, but the budget has not grown, Messick said.
“The pool of money doesn't get bigger, but the number of applicants always increases, especially since the pandemic,” she said. “We have a decline in funding for organizations that have historically been successful in the competitive process, because there has simply been more competition to work against.”
The rejection comes during financial struggles at ZTP, Muir said.
The organization currently faces a budget deficit from the cancellation of the 2020 summer musical, loss of public interest in productions, and a struggle to maintain funding from sponsorships and donors.
ZTP is also facing remaining costs from the summer 2024 musical, including stage and set repairs, and low attendance leading to less donations. The organization only hosts one show a year and relies heavily on revenue earned through the annual musical, Muir said.
Starting in summer 2023, the ZTP board began working on a development plan to operate without city funding, after Austin Parks Foundation told them not to expect future funding from the nonprofit or PARD, Muir said. The plan includes seeking corporate sponsorships and applying for grants.
ZTP has since made salary cuts to the executive board and sold items from their production warehouse, as the organization can no longer afford the warehouse rent. They are now leasing a smaller space.
Quotes of note
In response to the rejection of ZTP’s application, officials from the Economic Development Department said the department is focusing on prioritizing organizations that do not often receive funding.
“If we truly want to uplift those in need, we must prioritize assistance for those who have received little or no help, while also balancing our support for those who have consistently contributed to the community, to ensure Austin’s diverse population has an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive,” said Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Economic Development Department director.
ZTP’s application was also reviewed during a public, online panel Aug. 28. Some panelists did not see the organization as fit to receive grant funding.
“I think it's an example of a large cultural institution requesting funding that they would allocate in good ways and have good stewardship, but in my personal view, I don't know that they're always the best for needing the money,” panelist Ceci Norman said.
The grant application rejection risks the continuation of an Austin tradition, Muir said.
“This is more than just a production—it’s a chance for local artists, creative teams and production crews to bring free, world-class musical theater to our city,” she said in a news release. “Without the necessary funding, we risk losing this cherished experience.”
What’s next?
The theater production is seeking to raise $300,000 before December for operational costs.
The funds will go toward remaining costs from the recent summer 2024 musical, the 2025 musical and monthly operational expenses. Funds will also go to artists who work on the show, parking fees to ensure free parking for attendees, city permits and other production costs, Muir said.
For more information, visit www.zilker.org.
