Lakeway City Council approved $225,000 in hotel occupancy tax funds for TexArts Theatre & Academy at a Sept. 21 council meeting.
The overview
TexARTS offers year-round professional theater productions, youth productions, educational programming and community events.
The organization produces four professional productions, four youth productions and other community programs totaling over 95 performances and events each year, Sandy Cox, TexARTS board member and former Lakeway mayor, said.
The details
TexARTS requested $225,000 from Lakeway’s hotel occupancy tax fund.
Of that amount, $125,000 will help fund professional production expenses, artistic personnel and performance operations associated with the performing arts programming.
The remaining $100,000 will support advertising and promotional activities intended to increase regional awareness of TexARTS and Lakeway.
Lakeway’s hotel occupancy tax fund policy states that priority should be given to applicants demonstrating an ability to increase hotel or convention activity.
About 76% of patrons attending TexARTS shows dine at Lakeway restaurants, equating to roughly $300,000-$400,000 in economic impact to Lakeway, Cox said.
Additionally, approximately 3% of ticket holders spend the night in Lakeway hotels after a show, according to the TexARTS hotel occupancy tax fund application.
“I cannot tell you how thankful I am that you all have such a great vote of confidence in us and our effect on the community,” Cox said.
What else
TexARTS is currently showing the play “Boeing Boeing” until Oct. 4, followed by “Beetlejuice Jr.” beginning Oct. 24.
