Programs and Services

The Music & Entertainment Division is an economic development accelerator and centralized resource center for Austin’s music industry. We also serve as an active community partner for Austin’s citizens, community groups, and neighborhoods.

Programs

Division programming strives to foster success of Austin's musicians and the live music scene through Musician compensation and professional development opportunities (visit our Events Page for additional programs). Please contact Stephanie Bergara for information on any of the following programs:

Creative Ambassadors Program
Open to creative professionals across disciplines, the Creative Ambassadors Program provides official City designations and small stipends to Austin artists traveling outside of Texas in promotion of their creative projects.

Music on Hold Program
Music on Hold is one of the City's government’s fun and unique ways of showcasing Austin’s great music—usually in sixty seconds or less. Anytime someone calls into the City telephone system, if they are placed on hold, they will be listening to a well-curated playlist of Austin music. Music on Hold showcases Austin’s fantastic and diverse music, and it gives our citizens a little something to listen to while waiting. If your band is interested in having a song featured on Music on Hold, please contact Stephanie Bergara at 512-974-7804.
Street Performance Program
Enjoy rotating line-ups of live music by local Austin musicians downtown (500 W. 2nd Street) every Saturday during the fall and spring months. Each musician is compensated for their performance through funding by the Trammell Crow Company.

Tip the Band Pilot Program
The Tip the Band Pilot Program aims to address affordability concerns for Austin’s music community by creating a new and convenient revenue stream for musicians. Through the use of new technology—a digital tipping vessel—artists can collect digital tips from fans using a debit and/or credit card within seconds.

Services

The Entertainment Services Group creates and manage policies, tools, and partnerships that promote unique, vibrant, safe, and well-planned live music and nightlife experiences in Austin, while promoting venue preservation and sustainability. Please contact Brian Block at Brian.Block@austintexas.gov for information:

Night and Weekend Staff
Serves as a resource in the field for venues, monitors compliance with outdoor music permits, acts as a liaison between venues and residents to investigate and solve problems, observes entertainment areas during nighttime hours and raises awareness of emerging issues.
Creative Space Assistance Program
The purpose of the Creative Space Assistance Program (CSAP) is to provide direct support to qualifying creative organizations facing temporary or permanent displacement, or to those previously displaced. The program is open to arts-focused nonprofits as well as qualifying for-profit live music venues, performance spaces, and art galleries. The program is currently funded at $750,000.
Ombudsman for Creatives
Serves as a single point of contact and resource for nightlife establishments and music venues regarding City operating, permitting and code enforcement requirements and acts as a liaison between venues and City Departments.
Outdoor Music Venue Permits & Sound Impact Plans
Entertainment Services Group (ESG) administers, manages and monitors annual and special event Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) Permits for venues, music promoters, and meeting planners. ESG also consults with permit holders about better sound quality, reducing sound impact to neighbors, and permit compliance through customized Sound Impact Plans.

Amplified Sound Monitoring and Management Solutions
The Division's goal is to enhance amplified sound experiences while promoting compatibility between nightlife and residents. We are continuously working to implement innovative technologies and solutions for amplified sound monitoring and sound management through pilots, research, and best practice implementation.

You are here