Cultural Shifts
The basic mechanism for funding artists will look the same, but the city of Austin's cultural contracts program will undergo some significant changes in structure
By Robert Faires, Fri., April 16, 2004
The new program proposes to shift from organizing applicants strictly by discipline (theatre, dance, music, et al.) to organizing them by size and purpose as well as discipline. Applicants would be able to seek:
Large and medium-sized organizations will have to choose between applying for Institutional Support and Project Support; they will not be eligible to apply for Community Initiatives or Special Opportunities.
Peer review panels will shift from all local panelists to a mix of panelists from the city, the region, and around the country. Panelists will score applications based on a set of established evaluation criteria that apply across all disciplines (e.g., Project Support and Community Initiatives will be scored in four areas: artistic/cultural merit; audience development and visitor promotion; economic, cultural, and social impact; and administrative capability). Panelists will no longer make direct funding recommendations; funding will be determined using mathematical formulas based on policies or priorities developed by the Arts Commission, the amount of available funding, and the score of the applicant. Panelists may not serve more than two consecutive two-year terms on the same panel. They will receive a stipend for their services.
A Cultural Arts Advisory Board has been recommended to eventually replace the Arts Commission and oversee the funding process, as well as enact policy related to city cultural programs. Exactly how this body will differ from the current commission in makeup or purpose is still being determined. The members will continue to be appointed by the city council. The board will forward the funding recommendations to city council.
