Austin City Council has approved new contracts for artwork in the airport expansion after receiving initial pushback from ACME, the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment, over use of non-local artists for the project. Some contracts with artists from Chicago, New York, and San Francisco have moved forward, with the caveat that these creators work with at least 10% local talent. According to CBS News, Texas artists and Austin-specific artists will be tapped for the second and third phases of the airport project, respectively.
Govalle Cultural District is officially Austin’s fourth cultural zone, as of a June 5 City Council vote. The self-organized district along Springdale Road includes the Museum of Human Achievement, Canopy, Springdale Station, Ground Floor Theatre, Ghost Pepper Glass, East End Studio Arts, and several other businesses and eateries adjacent to Govalle Elementary. Under the cultural districts program, the Govalle team plans to create community coalitions to help preserve affordable art spaces and launch new cultural, artistic, and accessibility initiatives in the area.
June 9, 2025, is now Austin PBS Day. In a brief ceremony held at the newly renovated Austin Media Center, District 4 Council Member Chito Vela made the proclamation on behalf of Mayor Kirk Watson. Austin PBS president and CEO Luis Patiño praised the decision to celebrate public media amid federal funding cuts in a press release: “As we face new challenges, we remain committed to delivering trusted programming and services that educate, inform and reflect the diverse voices of our region. Today is a celebration of that shared commitment.”
This article appears in June 20 • 2025.
