Funding
The City of Austin Economic Development Department provides funding opportunities for arts, business, and music. View funding options based on your industry below:
Arts | Business | Music
Arts
Nexus - Coming Soon!
Invests in creative public programming developed through community activation and collaboration between artists and such community-based entities as culturally specific groups, LGBTQIA and disability communities, parks, non-profits, and public housing.
Thrive - Coming Soon!
Promotes Austin’s diverse cultures to tourists by supporting the programs, operations, stability, growth, and leadership development of small to mid-sized African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander-led arts and cultural organizations that are significant contributors to the city’s creative vibrancy and heritage.
Film & Digital Media Production Incentives
Incentives and funding resources for filmmakers.
Business
Business Expansion Incentive Program
The City may award an incentive for expansion projects to companies who create new jobs plus provide access to employment and community benefits. Considerations include: middle-skill jobs at above-industry standard compensation, hiring populations facing economic and socio-economic hardships that pose as a barrier to employment, and realizable community benefits beyond tax revenue.
Family Business Loan Program
The Family Business Loan Program is a public-private partnership between the City of Austin, HUD, and participating private lenders to offer low-interest loans to qualified small businesses that are expanding and creating jobs. Our mission to enable existing local businesses to expand and create jobs, revitalize communities, increase the tax base of the City of Austin, and enhance the overall quality of life for Austin residents.
Heritage Grants
Heritage Grants serve to promote tourism through the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings, sites or districts. Historic preservation is a successful economic development tool that creates jobs, spurs new business, and strengthens local economies.
Veteran Business Loan Initiative
The Veteran Business Loan is part of the Family Business Loan Program, a public-private partnership between the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which offers a low-interest rate loan and low borrower equity requirements to help create or expand a business.
Music
Live Music Fund Event Program - Coming Soon!
Supports Austin’s professional music businesses, organizations, musicians, and bands that produce and promote live and virtual shows that can be marketed to local audiences, visiting and potential tourists, and conventions delegates.