I am committed to actively supporting Austin’s creative community and culture. This is more important than ever because of the growing risk of losing music and art venues due to economic pressures threatening affordable music venues, practice spaces, artist studios and housing as our city grows.

Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the world for a good reason. And District 5 is home to many of our city’s iconic venues such as the Broken Spoke and Saxon Pub and has been the birthplace of many legendary musicians. But not as well know is that South Austin is also home to thousands of artists, dancers, actors, and others who have contributed their creativity for years.

I am thankful for the joy that our district’s artists and musicians bring, and believe that supporting arts, culture, and creativity are essential keys to maintaining Austin’s unique and distinctive identity. The Austin music and creative ecosystem generates rich social, cultural, and economic benefits that we must protect.

I also send a special thank you to South Austin artists and the Thornton Road Studios. They have shared their art in the District 5 office over the past almost 8 years – which made my office a special place to work when I served the District as a Senior Policy Advisor!

Key actions I will take to support our local musicians and artists:

• Foster cultural representation and economic prosperity - and champion equity, diversion and inclusion in our creative sector.
• Continue to provide resources for the Austin Economic Development Corporation, formed to leverage private dollars to support our city investments
• Support the Cultural Trust Program, managed by AEDC, to preserve iconic venues and support musicians and artist. The City is investing $27 million in bonds, HOT taxes, and other dollars in this program, and needs much more to successfully protect our venues
• Add an Arts, Music and Culture Code Section to the Land Development Code to incentivize developers to build creative spaces such as galleries and theaters into new projects
• Continue the Creative Space Assistance Program, Live Music Fund and other grant programs for local musicians and artists.
• Build the Dougherty Arts Center to add more opportunities for local exhibitions
• Fully fund Austin’s cultural centers , including the Asian American Cultural Center, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, and the Mexic-Arte Museum.
• Continue the People’s Gallery, Art in Public Spaces, and other city programs that fund local artists
• Actively participate and promote Thornton Road Studios, The Austin Studio Tours, 78704 ATX, Travis Heights Studio Tours, the Art Garage and many more.