Grant Administration
Supporting Austin's Creative Sector Through Grant Administration
Create Austin has been contracted by the City of Austin to administer and manage several cultural funding initiatives, including the Live Music Event Program Fund (LMEPF), the Nexus Grant, the Elevate Grant, the Heritage Preservation Grant, and the Thrive Grant.
As a contractor of the city, Create Austin is not responsible for the selection of grant awardees. Our role is administration and logistics – ensuring that the grant funds are distributed, and providing financial reporting back to the city.
Create Austin is responsible for:
- Managing Grant Applications: Initial collecting and processing of applications on select programs.
- Distributing Funds: Ensuring that awarded funds are appropriately disbursed to recipients.
- Financial Reporting: Collaborating with City of Austin staff on expense reporting.
- Logistics Coordination: Assisting and advising on City of Austin timelines, deadlines, and milestones for each grant program.
- Document Management: Maintaining records for each grant program.
Create Austin is not responsible for:
- Selection of Awardees: The decision-making process for which applicants receive grants.
- Setting Grant Criteria: Deciding the qualifications or requirements for grant eligibility.
- Policy Creation: Designing or amending any policies related to the grant process.
- Determining Grant Amounts: Deciding how much money is awarded for each grant category.
- Defining Grant Categories: Creating or defining the specific categories or types of grants available.
- Fundraising: Actively seeking or raising additional funds for the grant programs.
- Endorsing Specific Projects: Promoting or endorsing any specific projects funded by the grants.
- Grant Renewals: Deciding whether a grant can be renewed or extended for recipients.
- Evaluating Artistic Merit: Assessing the quality or value of applicants’ artistic contributions.
About the Grants
Live Music Fund
This fund was established by City of Austin and provides an ongoing budget for cultural funding programs for Austin’s music industry.
Nexus Grant
Grants for new and emerging local small organizations, individual artists, and small arts businesses to produce creative public projects.
Elevate Grant
Grants for arts organizations, individual artists, and creative businesses that produce culturally vibrant and diverse artistic content.
Heritage Preservation Grant
Promotes tourism through historic preservation projects and activities inclusive of all stories rooted in history and heritage.
Thrive Grant
Provides focused investment to sustain and grow arts organizations that are deeply rooted in and reflective of Austin’s diverse cultures.
Creativity should be prioritized in our city – creating vibrant neighborhoods, social impact, sustainable economics, and job opportunities. By working together, we can enrich the lives of all who live in and visit our vibrant city.
Helpful Resources
What should we put here?
Links to PDFs and documents?
Links to other websites?
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply for one of the five grants administered by Create Austin, please go to the City of Austin Website:
- Heritage Preservation Grant can be found through the Heritage Tourism Division.
- The Live Music Fund can be found through the Music and Entertainment Division.
- Thrive, Nexus, and Elevate can be found through the Cultural Arts Department.
It is important to look at the city’s eligibility guidance for each program, to find the grant application closest suited to you or your organization.
While most of the public resources available for 2023’s round of grant programs will be found through the City of Austin, Create Austin is working to produce a great number of additional resources to support future applicants, current grantees, and community networkers. These will include, but not be limited to: public training sessions on grant writing, engagement opportunities for community collaboration and feedback, and detailed guidance on application processes, timelines, and eligibility.
The Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) is a statewide tax collected from hotels and other tourist-oriented accommodation providers. It is used to support the cultural industries within cities that drive tourism. The five City of Austin grants administered by Create Austin are funded exclusively through this source.
As a contractor of the city, Create Austin is not responsible for the selection of grant awardees. Our role is administration and logistics – ensuring the grant funds are distributed and providing financial reporting back to the city.
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