Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) celebrates and invests in the soul of our community through programs that honor our history, amplify diverse voices, and inspire future generations.

This hub brings together the City’s work to preserve, promote, and grow Austin’s cultural vibrancy—from historic preservation to live music, from public art to museums, from cultural funding to world-class venues.

Explore this hub to learn more, share your input, and stay connected to Austin’s cultural future.

About ACME

ACME was officially established on February 24, 2025 to strengthen Austin’s identity as a global hub for creativity. 

Born from decades of community advocacy, ACME is dedicated to preserving Austin’s soul through music, art, and cultural expression.

Five dancers in gold tops and colorful skirts perform a synchronized movement on stage, arching their arms and bodies gracefully to one side. Photo credit: Oro Dance, image by Zebediah Badgett

How Will ACME Benefit the Community?

  • Provide centralized support for creatives and cultural organizations

  • Enhance economic growth, tourism, and civic engagement

  • Foster collaboration between artists, organizations, and businesses

  • Create open, accessible cultural spaces for residents

  • Strengthen Austin’s identity as a creative global destination 

ACME's 2025 Goals

  • Streamline operations

  • Implement community engagement programs

  • Launch a 5-year Strategic Plan

  • Reevaluate Cultural Funding grant guidelines

  • Increase access to programming

  • Establish new partnerships across sectors

ACME's First Year: Building Trust Through Action

  1. Community-Centered Approach – Transparency, listening, and accessibility as guiding principles

  2. Advocacy – Mediated high-profile disputes (Airport expansion, Convention Center demolition) while protecting artists and cultural assets

  3. Research & Benchmarking – Used historical community data and national standards to shape policy and best practices

Vision: Art For All

We want Austin to be a city where every person, in every neighborhood, has access to creative opportunities and cultural expression. 

Call To Action

Feel free to provide us with your feedback by completing the following survey: Creative Reset Phase 2 Public Engagement

 

Colorful mural reads “Love Always, Austin” in large blue letters, with a figure with flowers in their hair overlooking a vibrant Austin skyline filled with colors, flowers, and birds. Mural credit: Love Always, Austin by britt_paints_a_lot

🎭 ACME Hub Page

Austin’s creative spirit is the heartbeat of our city, alive in our music, arts, cultural heritage, and the people who make it all possible. 

We are excited to host this hub page as a space for our community to come together, learn, share, and connect with one another. All are welcome! 

📰 ACME Newsletter

Click here to sign up for our monthly newsletter

❓ ACME FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

ACME stands for Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment. It is a City of Austin division that supports and celebrates Austin’s creative community. ACME brings together programs, cultural centers, music initiatives, special events, and public art efforts that serve people across the city. 

ACME supports:

  • Cultural and Heritage Centers, like the Carver Museum, Mexican American Cultural Center, and Asian American Resource Center

  • Music and entertainment programs that help local artists and musicians

  • Special event permitting through the Austin Center for Events

  • Public art, history, and preservation projects

  • Creative sector support, including grants, partnerships, and training

ACME works to make arts and cultural programs easy to access for every Austinite.

ACME manages and partners with key cultural sites across the city, including:

African American Cultural & Heritage Center
Asian American Resource Center
Dougherty Arts Center
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center
Elisabet Ney Museum
O. Henry Museum
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum 

…and more community spaces such as the Old Bakery & Emporium, Susana Dickinson Museum, Dedrick Hamilton House, Hillside Theater, and the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex.

The Creative Reset is an ACME program that looks at how the City supports artists, cultural groups, and communities. Its goal is to build a fair, inclusive, and sustainable cultural system by listening to community ideas and improving how the City invests in creative work.

Everyone in Austin is welcome to participate -- artists, students, families, creatives, cultural groups, neighbors, and visitors. ACME also focuses on supporting communities that have historically lacked access to arts and cultural resources.

ACME offers a variety of funding opportunities throughout the year to support artists, cultural organizations, musicians, and creative initiatives that reflect Austin’s diverse communities.

Here’s how you can apply for funding:

  1. Visit the ACME Grants and Funding page
    Check the City of Austin’s Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME) webpage for open calls, grant guidelines, and deadlines. Each opportunity includes eligibility criteria, application instructions, and contact information.

  2. Sign Up for Updates
    Subscribe to ACME’s newsletter or follow us on social media to receive alerts about upcoming funding rounds, workshops, and information sessions.

  3. Attend an Info Session
    Before each grant cycle, ACME often hosts virtual or in-person information sessions to walk you through the application process and answer questions.

  4. Prepare Your Materials
    Application requirements vary, but may include a project description, budget, artist resume or portfolio, and letters of support. Be sure to review all documentation carefully.

  5. Submit Online
    All applications are submitted through the City’s official online grants portal. Make sure to meet the deadline listed for each opportunity.

Need Help?
ACME staff are here to support you! If you need help understanding the guidelines or preparing your application, you can contact the grant program lead listed in each opportunity or call 3-1-1 and ask for ACME funding support.

There are many local organizations and programs you can explore for support, collaboration, workspace, exhibition opportunities, funding, and professional development. Below are several to get you started:

Create Austin — A hub of services and resources for creatives across Austin. It helps with grant administration, supports cultural funding programs, and works to build an equitable creative ecosystem. https://createaustin.org/

City of Austin Artist Resources — The City’s own page offering info on grants, paid opportunities, workshops, and other services for artists. Austin Texas

Austin Creative Alliance — Connects artists, musicians, and cultural organizations; provides resource listings, advocacy, and help promoting grassroots cultural work. Austin Creative Alliance

Austin Arts Foundation — Supports emerging and underrepresented artists through mentorship, public art opportunities, events, and exhibitions. Austin Arts Foundation

Austin Visual Arts Association (AVAA) — A long-standing network of visual artists; offers studio space, life-drawing sessions, gallery opportunities, and peer networking. Austin Visual Arts Association

Austin Artists Collective — Nonprofit artist-run organization offering affordable studio space and opportunities to showcase and sell work. ArtUs Co

Creative Arts Society — Nonprofit with exhibit opportunities in galleries and partnerships with local businesses to help artists show and promote their work. CreativeArtsSociety

Austin Creative Reuse — A creative reuse center with donated art materials, workshops, and affordable supply options for artists. Austin Creative Reuse

You can sign up for the ACME monthly newsletter, join events, participate in workshops, share ideas here on the speakupaustin.org/acme hub page, or follow updates on the City of Austin's website and social media. You can also visit any cultural center or contact ACME directly for more information.

📅 ACME Events and Meetings

Join us at our upcoming community gatherings!