Commissioner Scott Strickland stated, 'Next year we need to make sure that the funds are going to more people. There's like 800 or so people that are gonna get denied and there's like a hundred or so people that are gonna get awarded.' He emphasized the struggle of artists who must tour solo due to financial constraints, highlighting the urgency to revise grant allocations for greater impact.
The Music Commission is looking to increase the Live Music Fund's current budget of $4.5 million, addressing the 5:1 ratio of unsuccessful applicants to recipients, which underscores the high demand within the local music community.
Alongside funding increases, the commission is considering adjusting grant amounts as a strategy to support more artists. Strickland mentioned, 'There are really famous acts right now that are out there touring, and they're touring solo because they can't afford to take a band.'
The potential new funding source from short-term rental platforms could significantly bolster the Live Music Fund, with estimates suggesting an additional $15 million to $20 million in annual hotel taxes, translating to around $3 million for live music initiatives.
Collection
[
|
...
]