Austin’s new Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (ACME) department briefed the Arts Commission on the launch of its cultural funding programs and the schedule for multistage applications tied to programs including Elevate, Austin Live Music Fund, Creative Space Assistance and the Heritage Preservation Grant.

Laura Odegaard, acting division manager for ACME funding, said the application process is multistage: an intake form, an eligibility screening, then the full application. She said intake and eligibility forms went live Oct. 14 and that the full application would open the day after the meeting. The intake/eligibility form deadline is Dec. 4 at 06:59, and the full application deadline is Dec. 11 at 06:59. Reviews and scoring will take place in January; award notifications in February and first payments expected in March 2026.

Odegaard and ACME staff emphasized language access and technical assistance: Spanish guidelines and Spanish-language support are available through the Long Center partner; ACME staff said they will provide editable fillable application templates in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean on request. Workshop recordings will be available in English and Spanish; the department said it will arrange ASL interpretation on request and host frequent office hours and three all-day in-person help sessions on Dec. 4, 9 and 11.

ACME staff asked the commission to convene an appeals working group during January to handle appeals under the new process. Staff also asked commissioners to help share workshop and application information with culturally specific groups and applicants.

Why it matters: The redesigned funding guidelines and multistage application are a core part of ACME’s effort to centralize cultural funding and expand access; the schedule has defined deadlines and new supports intended to assist historically underrepresented applicants.

What’s next: Staff will hold virtual and in-person workshops, weekly Tuesday office hours through the application period and follow up with commission-requested appeals-group details at the January meeting.