Taking care of Austin's important arts and entertainment scene happens on many levels, and a new Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) is centralizing some of the city's responsibilities in the realm. The new office was announced by city manager T.C. Broadnax on Friday, February 14.
This doesn't necessarily mean more work or big new initiatives, although it could certainly lead to those in time. The main idea is simply to tie together existing local governmental structures so that they can work more efficiently together. A city newsletter explains that what was previously five departments — dealing separately with music, special events, cultural and heritage centers, cultural arts, and art in public places — is now one new office.
“Austin’s identity is closely tied to arts, culture, music, and entertainment," said Broadnax as quoted in the newsletter. "Under a unified office, we can improve how we provide services and create synergistic opportunities that attract tourists, generate revenue, and elevate Austin’s profile as a cultural destination.”
The office will be led by director Angela Means, an internal hire who recently served as the interim director of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Means' professional experience appears to be more operational than cultural, with past responsibilities largely related to budget accountability, service analysis, and collaboration between departments.
According to the existing departments various websites, some of their programs and services included providing grants and funding for creatives, providing paid professional development for local musicians, creating reports to track Austin's cultural assets, issuing permits for festivals, and helping creatives and creative businesses navigate city codes.
“Our arts, culture, music, and entertainment industries are what make Austin unique and special," said Mayor Kirk Watson. "Austin is envied by others because of the talent we have here. I appreciate the City Manager for listening to our creative community about the need for this office, and I believe it will continue to show Austin’s commitment to the arts."
The new office does not yet appear in the directory for City of Austin departments. New information is usually added to a page with contact details, a list of services, and other tips and announcements relevant to the public.