The City of Austin’s Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME) has initiated The Creative Reset, a year-long community-driven effort aimed at shaping the future of Austin’s creative landscape.
The first phase involves enhancing several cultural funding programs. These include the Nexus, Thrive, and Elevate Grant Programs; the Austin Live Music Fund; the Creative Space Assistance Program; the Heritage Preservation Grant; and the Art in Public Places Program.
Residents across Austin are invited to engage through various tools such as a citywide survey open until June 5. Community members can also participate in focus groups or lead discussions using a downloadable toolkit. Additionally, public listening sessions with ACME Director Angela Means are scheduled for next month.
“This marks a pivotal moment in the City’s commitment to its cultural sector,” says Director Means. “The Creative Reset isn’t just a single initiative—it’s a year-long process grounded in collaboration. It’s about bringing artists, musicians, historians, creatives, and community voices together to reimagine how Austin nurtures its creative spirit. We’re building this brand-new Department together. We want every voice at the table.”
Feedback gathered during this initial phase will inform new program guidelines emphasizing accessibility, transparency, and community priorities. A public dashboard will be launched to allow residents to track progress and see how their input is utilized throughout the year.
For more information and participation details: www.austintexas.gov/page/creative-reset.
