Artists from marginalized communities, including younger artists, were underrepresented in Austin’s art and music grants in 2023, according to a recent study from Austin research firm Measure presented at an Austin Arts Commissions meeting on Jan. 27.
The researchers found young people were significantly less likely to apply for the grants than older artists. For the Elevate grant, which awards up to $80,000 to organizations and individuals, artists from ages 18 to 19 didn’t apply, and artists aged 20 to 29 made up only 7% of applicants. According to the study, around 40% of Austin’s adult population falls within these age ranges.
“Awareness about this program and outreach about this program saw very significant challenges,” said Meme Styles, founder and president of Measure. “Many eligible artists and organizations just don’t know about it.”
Audrey Price, a musician with UTalent Records, said that is exactly what happened to her. She said she had never heard of these grants before her team told her, and by that time, the applications had closed.
“There is a big gap in accessibility,” said Price, a rhetoric and writing freshman. “Probably a lot of it comes from word of mouth, and that probably explains why a lot of people with more experience and more time in the music industry apply (for the grants) — because they’ve had more time to hear about them.”
The researchers at Measure said keeping young artists involved is vital for the future of the arts in Austin.
“If we don’t ensure that there is space for the next generation to get out here and apply for this funding and to actually thrive using it, then Austin is not going to be that live music capital of the world,” Styles said. “It’s just not, because nobody’s gonna know about it.”
Celina Zisman, the chair of the Arts Commission, said the study affirmed what the commission had already heard from the Austin community.
“It’s exciting to see the things we’ve been saying all along validated in data,” Zisman said during the meeting. “It kind of circles back to (what we’ve said) — please listen to us.”
Carlos Soto, the public information and marketing program manager with Austin’s economic development department, said in an email their team needs to review the study closely before deciding the next steps regarding how to implement the study’s findings.
