ACME to publish scoring rubric and to notify Live Music Fund and CSAP awardees mid‑March

ACME staff presented detailed application counts, eligibility determinations and a plan to make scoring criteria public as the department completes its first funding cycle.

"We were planning on a March 16 notification date for both mayor and council for awardees," Laura Odegard, acting division manager for arts, culture, music and entertainment (ACME), told the commission. She also said ACME will post the rubric and examples of acceptable evidence on the department website so applicants understand how points are awarded and verified.

Why it matters: ACME's move to publish reviewer rubrics follows concerns from applicants and commissioners about perceived opacity in scoring and ineligibility reasons. Commissioners pressed for clarity about what evidence earns points and whether the department can provide sample documents before applications reopen.

Key figures provided by staff: ACME said the overall FY26 funding round has $24,600,000 available. For the Austin Live Music Fund, staff reported 1,117 eligibility forms submitted, 995 deemed eligible, 112 ineligible, and 809 completed applications with roughly 380 awards anticipated from a $7,000,000 pot. For the Creative Space Assistance Program (CSAP), staff reported 138 eligibility forms, 72 eligible, 66 ineligible, 64 submitted applications and an estimated 25 awards from a $1,600,000 pot.

How scoring works: Odegard described a two‑part scoring system: an auto‑scored "form score" derived from applicants' responses and a reviewer verification score performed by Long Center partners who validate documentation and adjust points. Odegard said spot audits are underway and that staff will post reviewer guidance and examples of acceptable evidence within about a week.

Commissioner reaction and next steps: Commissioners welcomed the commitment to post rubrics and asked for sample checklists and acceptable document formats to be available before the July application launch. ACME staff agreed to post the rubric and a set of sample evidence and to produce district‑level award handouts following notifications.

The commission did not take formal action on the grants briefing itself; later in the meeting the commission approved a separate package of FY26–27 budget recommendations that included items related to funding structures and applicant support.