If you’re a creative in Austin, bookmark this blog. It’s filled with tons of resources that creative people can use to sustain and grow their businesses. If you have any resources to add to the list, sound off in the comment section.
Business Resources for Austin Creatives
Compiled by Love’s Apprentice
City of Austin Resources
The Cultural Arts Division of the Economic Development Department provides leadership and management for the City's Cultural arts program and for the economic development of arts and cultural industries
Capital Investment & Cultural Training
The Alliance of Artists Communities is an international association of artists' residencies - a diverse field of more than 1,500 programs worldwide that support artists of any discipline in the development of new creative work
Art in Public Places Program commissions artworks, ranging from murals and sculptures to functional architectural elements, for new and remodeled public facilities.
Arts Commission advises city council in all arts-related matters
Artist in Residence Program embeds artists within City departments to develop imaginative approaches for community engagement and creative expression
Austin Emerging Arts Leaders is a chapter of Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Network for early-career arts professionals looking for networking and professional development opportunitie
Emerging Teaching Artists Program is a s job training program that introduces practicing artists to the art of teaching
LaunchPAD Program pairs established public artists with visual artists moving into the field of public art to gain expertise while providing services benefitting a public art project for the City
Music Commission advises city council on music development issues
TEMPO allows artists to propose and create temporary public artworks in a range of themes suitable for the outdoor environment
Women in Jazz Association, Inc. provides Concert Series and Vocal Performance Workshops for performance opportunities and experiences of local professional and amateur jazz vocalists.
Creative Industry Programs
Business Expansion Incentive Program provides up to 3% wages reimbursement per job / per year (max $1,800) and up to 50% property tax reimbursement
Creative Content Initiative Program offers incentives to qualifying film, television, video game, & visual effects projects equal to 0.50% of wages paid to local workers. Projects produced by an Austin-based company or which significantly promote Austin may be eligible for an additional 0.25% incentive for a total incentive of 0.75%.
The Media Production and Development Zone 2 year sales/use tax exemption on a media production facility
Austin's UNESCO designation as City of Media Arts strengthens opportunities for development with UNESCO network
Cultural Funding Programs
Art Space Assistance Program grants to support non-profits facing permanent displacement
Art in Sacred Places Program spaces to work, rehearse, and perform in unused sacred spaces
Capacity Building Program provides funding for individual artists and arts organizations with a budget less than $200,000 to provide professional development opportunities (i.e. conferences, workshops, classes, and memberships) to enhance and strengthen the infrastructure and workforce of Austin’s creative sector
Community Initiatives Program offers funding to support the marketing, production, and presentation of public performances and exhibitions by nonprofits arts and culture organizations, as well as qualifying individual artists and organizations
Core Funding Program offers organizational and project support to local 501c3 arts and culture organizations, as well as qualifying individual artists and organizations
Cultural Expansion Program $ for marketing of arts organizations serving underserved audiences
Cultural Heritage Festivals Program provides funding to local 501c3 nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and other organizations to strengthen the marketing, production, presentation, and funding of a culturally-specific festival.
Neighborhood Partnering Program provides opportunities for community and neighborhood organizations to affect public improvements by sharing in the costs of those efforts with the City of Austin government. Public improvements could include such things as works of public art, beautification and enhancement projects, community gardens, and more
Public Programs & Outreach
People's Gallery is a free exhibition of the work of Austin-area artists within the City of Austin’s City Hall
Artist Access Program provides access to cultural center space for rehearsals and performances
Art After Six free community arts events
Art Space Assistance Program will provide grants to support non-profits facing permanent displacement, those previously displace, or those facing lease renewals at substantially higher rates amidst a volatile real estate market
Austin's New Year annual free event on Vic Mathias Shores
City of Austin Artwork Donation and Loan Policy community can propose artworks to buy
City of Austin Small Business Program provides business training, educational events, and coaching to empower entrepreneurs
The Dougherty Arts Center regularly displays work by local Austin artists and accepts Exhibit Proposals annually
The DAC Artist Resource Center is a place for emerging and established artists of all mediums to engage and collaborate.
Artist Inc entrepreneurship program
The Hispanic Alliance provides access to high-quality resources, arts education and business mentorship for Austin's underserved populations
The Julia C. Butridge Gallery supports emerging through professional artists by providing exhibition space by application
The Latino Arts Residency Program fosters the development of Austin-area Latino arts organizations and artists in all disciplines in an effort to build and enhance quality, sustainable community arts and cultural programming
Old Bakery and Emporium Art Gallery is a consignment shop featuring a rotating schedule of exhibitions including artworks of all media and subject matter
Six Square is a visionary leader and powerful partner for major projects that preserve, promote, and sustain black arts, history and culture
Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) advances our state economically and culturally by investing in a creative Texas
Other Resources
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified artists whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation
ALL ATX is Austin's musician advocate, dedicated to their promotion, success and overall well-being
Art Alliance Austin works collaboratively with artists, museums, independent curators, and galleries to create a diverse and powerful series of programming which highlights Austin as an emerging contemporary arts capital
Asian American Resource Center Community Art Exhibit Program displays artworks that celebrate the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage, history, identity and creativity of Asians and Asian Americans
Austin Creative Alliance advance, connect, advocate for Austin's arts, cultural, creative communities
Austin Emerging Art Leaders chapter of Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Network
Austin Federation of Musicians assists local musicians with wages, work conditions, employment
Austin Film Society empowers community to make, watch and love film and creative media
Austin Jazz Alliance helps jazz musicians in Austin and Central Texas promote their music
Austin Music Foundation helps artists navigate opportunities in the music industry
Austin Songwriters Group provides opportunities through workshops, events, annual symposium
Big Medium is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting contemporary art in Texas
Capitol View Arts supports the arts community through arts education, collaborative opportunities, and the preservation of venues for performances and public use
Dart Music International assists global artists obtain work visas, appearances
Faces of Austin is a short film program showcasing works by Austin filmmakers which reflect the many diverse faces, voices and experiences of Austin.
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians provides access to affordable health care for Austin’s low-income working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness.
I Respect Music supports a musician's rights to pay for radio airplay
Live Music Tutor online music platform that connects instructors, students, and enthusiasts
Mike Tolleson & Associates free legal clinic Wednesdays
MusiCares covers financial, medical, personal emergencies for music professionals
The Recording Academy Texas Chapter is dedicated to providing educational programming and networking opportunities to artists and industry professionals of all trades throughout the state enriching the music community through outreach and advocacy
SIMS Foundation financial support for mental health and addiction services
Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts provides individualized volunteer legal and accounting services to financially qualified artists and arts nonprofits, hosts educational seminars and clinics, and produces educational materials to increase business knowledge in the arts
The Texas Music Office promotes the development of the music in the state by informing members of that industry and the public about resources available in the state for music for music production, and serves as liaison between the industry and state government
The Writer's League of Texas provides a forum for information, support, and sharing among writers; to help writers improve on their craft and market their skills; to promote the interest of writers and the writing community at large; and to elevate the art and enterprise of writing
TuneCore helps artists sell music online, keep 100% of their rights/sales revenue, collect royalties
State & Federal
Texas Wide Open for Business
Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program
U.S. Small Business Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Other Public and Non-Profit Resources
This nonprofit provides free small business counseling and resources, low cost business workshops and special customized services. Their certified mentors are experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives with a diverse set of industries and specialties who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve success.
Texas State Small Business Development Center
The Texas State University SBDC works with existing and startup small businesses to help them grow and compete in today’s global economy. SBDCs are available to provide assistance during every phase of the business life cycle. The improvements that result from their direct support of their client's activities lead to job creation, investments, and economic growth for communities throughout central Texas.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Skills for Small Business program, offers up to $2 million from the Skills Development Fund for training. Small businesses can apply to TWC for training offered by their local community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). The program pays up to $1,450 for each new employee being trained and $725 for existing employees per 12-month period.
TexHealth Central Texas offers innovative health plans specifically designed to help small businesses attract and retain employees by offering them the most affordable benefits coverage to stay healthy and on the job.