City extends deadline of relief grant open for Austin musicians

AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin's Economic Development Department has extended the amount of time that Austin musicians can apply for the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund.

The application deadline, which was originally set to close on June 12, has now been extended to June 26.

Austin City Council originally created the fund to aid local musicians experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The $1.5 million fund provides musicians with a $1,000 grant for their immediate emergency needs.

"We extended the application deadline because our local musicians are juggling many priorities right now,” notes Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Acting Director for the City of Austin Economic Development Department. “Musicians can quickly complete the online application from their phone or computer. The grant can be used for rent, groceries, bills, and many other personal or professional needs.”

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To be eligible for the program, applicants must reside in an Austin City Council district and be able to document their participation as a professional Austin musician.

The city also says that the program is focused on helping the most vulnerable musicians. Individuals with more than two months of living expenses and those who have already received a grant from the "MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund" are not eligible to apply.

The Austin Music Foundation is available to provide consultation to potential applicants needing help preparing documentation for their applications.

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"Staff will be available to assist in developing an artist bio, creating a resume, and compiling a list of canceled events – which are all supporting documents that will be uploaded through the application website," the city said in a press release. Musicians can fill out an application here.

Any applicant with questions about preparing professional experience materials can contact atxrecovers@austinmusicfoundation.org to speak to a staff member through the new application deadline date.

FOX 7 Discussion: City of Austin offering financial relief for musicians, small venues

Stephanie Bergara, an artist and industry development coordinator, joins Marcel Clarke on FOX 7 Austin to talk about two grants from the City of Austin that are aimed at helping local musicians.

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