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. Learn more about what we do below:

Programs

Programs implemented by the Music & Entertainment Division aim to foster the success of local musicians and the live music scene in Austin. Musician compensation and professional development for the greater industry are the two main areas of focus. Please visit our Events page for additional event based programs.

• Daybird Local Live Music Series Program
  The Daybird Local Live Music Series is partnership with Visit Austin and local venues to promote and create live music experiences featuring Austin musicians during earlier hours for visitors and locals alike. For more information, contact the Music & Entertainment Division directly at 512-974-1000.

• 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 Pilot Program
  The Music & Entertainment Division is pleased to invite you to enjoy live music downtown every Saturday through the end of September from Noon - 4 PM. The lineup will rotate every week, bringing local Austin musicians to 500 W. 2nd Street and compensating them for their performance. Live music funded by Trammell Crow Company. Submissions for 2018 are now closed. The next phase of the program is expected to begin in early 2019.

• Tip the Band
  The Tip the Band 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. For more information on the Entertainment Services Group, please contact Brian Block at Brian.Block@austintexas.gov.

• 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
  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
  The Entertainment Services Group administers, manages and monitors outdoor music permits for venues and special events to promote compatibility between entertainment venues and residents. We provide consultation and best practices to entertainment venues and events to help them enhance sound quality, reduce sound impacts to neighbors and comply with their permits.

• Red River Extended Hours Program
  The Red River Cultural District is an entertainment district in Downtown Austin, Texas, United States.  In January 2017, City Council approved the Red River Pilot Program to extend the number of hours the Red River Cultural District outdoor music venues can play amplified music.

• Sound Impact Plans
  After receiving a sound permit application, the Entertainment Services Group conducts a Sound Impact Evaluation of the site, including on-site inspections and sound measurements, discussions with nearby residents and business owners, and any additional research to assess potential impacts.

• Sound Monitoring and Management Solutions
  Our goal is to enhance sound quality and promote compatibility between nightlife and residential. We are continuously working to implement innovative technologies and solutions for sound monitoring and sound management through piloting, research and the implementation of new programs. Read more about our latest stakeholder initiative: Entertainment & Amplified Sound Compatibility Engagement