The Dougherty Arts Center is currently accepting applications for ceramic artists for its visual artist residency program. The program offers space, facilities and professional contact intended to help develop recipients as artists, with benefits that include studio space, access to kiln firing and glazes, and promotion through Dougherty’s digital presence and a resident exhibition. “This is a work exchange program where resident artists are expected to create outreach opportunities within the community such as teaching workshops, giving public presentations, critiques, and monitoring the Dougherty Arts Center’s independent study program and open studio hours. Residency terms are six months, renewable up to a total of two years,” a press release from the city explains. Applications are open now through Sept. 15 at 11:59 p.m. and can be found here.

In the midst of budget season, the Travis Central Appraisal District is giving property owners a chance to review how proposed tax rates and elections will impact their 2024 property tax bills by visiting TravisTaxes.com. “Over the next few months, discussions on budgets, tax rates, bond elections, and voter approval tax rate elections could have a major impact on property tax bills. Travis County property owners can use TravisTaxes.com to see how these decisions will impact them and learn how to participate in these conversations,” TCAD Chief Appraiser Leana Mann said in a statement to the press. The site breaks down taxing authorities, lists upcoming budget hearings and has opportunities for feedback. The site allows property owners to compare bills to see how budget decisions will impact them. Anyone wanting to learn more about navigating the site is welcome to register for an Aug. 13 webinar.

As part of an effort to provide resources to people subjected to sexual assault, the city and police department have launched a new website, atxbelieves.org. The website is part of a larger public service campaign done in partnership with Austin-Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team that stresses community resources available regardless of law enforcement involvement. “If you or someone you know are a survivor of sexual assault, we want you to find comfort in knowing that we’re here for you and we want to help,” Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson said in a statement to the press. “There are so many resources available and people who are ready to listen and help, many of whom are survivors themselves.” Last year, the Austin Police Department embraced a Collective Sex Crimes Response Model project aimed at overhauling its approach and making it more comprehensive and multidisciplinary. For emergencies, call 911 or reach out to SAFE at 512-267-7233 or text “SAFE” to 737-888-7233.

The 34th Austin Pride Parade is planned for Saturday, Aug. 10, starting at 8 p.m. with the theme “Queer Cabaret,” which the city describes as “full of glamor and glitz, celebrating and honoring LGBTQ+ members of our greater Austin community.” It will start at the Texas Capitol building and proceed south down Congress Avenue, ending at the Ann Richards bridge at Cesar Chavez Street. For more details, visit the city’s website or austinpride.org/pride-2024. Making plans for a safe ride home is recommended, either through public transportation, ride sharing or carpooling. Other options include:

• Parking south of downtown and use the Hike-and-Bike Trail (motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail).
• Biking to the event.
• Using the CapMetro trip planner to find the best transit option into downtown.
• If driving, visit the Paid Parking page for downtown parking information.   

Road closures and/or lane reductions associated with the Pride Parade will start at 1 p.m. Aug. 10, with all streets scheduled to reopen no later than midnight. Click here for a detailed road closure map and table of closed streets.

A new traveling information series from the city hopes to keep Austinites apprised of the some $10 billion in infrastructure projects supporting the city’s continued growth. “Building Austin” will shine a spotlight on various projects, like the construction of new fire stations, parks, libraries, trails and roads. The first session will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center (6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive) and virtually. It will, according to a press release from the city, “feature five key projects in proximity of the Airport Boulevard Corridor and E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Corridor, including the Asian American Resource Center Phase 2 Improvements, E. Braker Lane Extension, and Little Walnut Creek Flood Risk Reduction.” Anyone interested in attending – either virtually or in person – can RSVP here.

Seven new outdoor banners celebrating the history of Republic Square – which has hosted key events in Texas history, city celebrations and daily life – will be unveiled during a free, all-ages event from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 3 at Fifth and Guadalupe streets. One of the city’s four original public squares, Republic Square has been a significant site in Austin since 1839, particularly for the city’s Mexican and Mexican American community. Mexic-Arte and the Downtown Austin Alliance are hosting a ribbon-cutting and family activity day with performances by Mariachi Chavez y Amigos and the Ballet Folklorico of Austin, plus complimentary refreshments from Austin Aguas Frescas and Ross Cake’s Bakes & Sweets, coloring books with images of the new banners and screen-printed tote bags. Claudia Aparicio Gamund created the artwork featured on the banners, and the project was funded by a heritage grant awarded by the Austin Economic Development Department.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 27-31, university students moving out of campus-area apartments can drop off furniture, household items, small appliances, clothing, cleaning supplies, unopened food and more at seven donation stations throughout North and West Campus:

• Camino Flats, 2810 Salado St. (near 28th Street)
• Croix Condos, 706 W 25th St. (parking lot across from The Block on 25th Street)
• Escala Condos, 1000 W 26th St. (near 26th and San Gabriel streets)
• Lenox Condos, 915 W 23rd St. (near 23rd and San Gabriel streets)
• Texas Tri Delta, 503 W 27th St. (parking lot on Nueces near 27th Street)
• Pearl Street Co-op, 2000 Pearl St. (near 21st Street)
• UT Whitaker Courts Parking Lot, 287 W 51st St. (near the tennis courts)

“MoveOutATX is an easy way for students to give back to the community while moving out,” said Austin Resource Recovery Director Richard McHale. “Students can get rid of their gently used items in a convenient way while keeping reusable items out of the landfill. This program is helping us reach our zero waste goals while supporting the local economy.” Those donations feed into the Free Furniture Market, open 6:30–8 p.m. July 27-31 and 8-10 a.m. Aug. 1. Austin Area Urban League, Austin Creative Reuse, Goodwill Central Texas, Salvation Army Family Stores, UT Outpost and Arms of Hope will transfer donated furniture pieces from the donation stations to the market at the UT Austin Whitaker Courts Parking Lot, 287 W 51st St. Items will be made available to Austinites on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two pieces of furniture per person. Participants must be able to load and transport items themselves and must sign a liability waiver. Volunteers – who’ll receive cold drinks, snacks, cool-it towels and discounts to local businesses – are needed to staff the Free Furniture Market and can sign up for 2.5-hour shifts at MoveOutATX.org.

This year’s Art From the Streets show will be at The Gallery at Austin Central Library, starting Saturday. The show, which will run from July 27 until Sept. 29, will feature 40 artists from Austin’s unhoused community and, as organizers explain, “gives a voice to these artists in a professional gallery setting and educates the public about the benefits of art to those unhoused in Austin.” Admission to the show is free and open to the public, as is the artist reception, which will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8. More information about the show and gallery hours can be found here.

The Texas Department of Transportation is updating its 10-year transportation plan, and the period for commenting on it will be open through 4 p.m. Aug. 4. The plan, known as the Unified Transportation Program, or UTP, serves as a road map that defines and prioritizes funding for transportation projects statewide over a decade. The UTP authorizes TxDOT and local agencies to prepare projects for construction based on potential funding, but does not guarantee that funding (or that projects will be built), instead solidifying the transportation authority’s long-term visions. The most recent visions, and the ability to comment on them, can be found here.

A three-member city commission is seeking applicants to volunteer. A three-year term on the City of Austin Firefighters’, Police Officers’, and Emergency Medical Services Personnel Civil Service Commission would begin Nov. 1 and end Oct. 31, and would require one to three hours of business time per month. The commission is meant to ensure general compliance with applicable provisions of Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code; local Civil Service rules established by the Commission; and any current agreements between the city and associations representing firefighters, police officers and emergency medical service personnel. It also regulates promotions, suspensions and terminations of personnel in those departments. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens who have resided in the city for more than three years, are older than 25 and have not have held office within the preceding three years. Experience or knowledge of the administration of human resources or labor relations and employment law is preferred. Apply online here and include a resume and cover letter. For more information, contact the Office of the City Clerk at bc@austintexas.gov.

The Village at Western Oaks is getting 21 Little Free Libraries thanks, in part, to the city’s Neighborhood Partnering Program. The program, which teams up with neighborhoods to help with community-driven projects like park improvements, public art, gardens and trails, accepted a proposal from the neighborhood’s HOA to share costs on the installation of the libraries, which are small, book-sharing boxes that can be used by anyone. Similarly, anyone can reach out to the NPP, either about starting their own little library project or any other enhancement. More information, including proposal guidelines, can be found on the city’s website.