City relaunches musician relief fund

The Economic Development Department will be reopening the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund on Monday in an effort to reach more local musicians facing financial hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The $1.5 million fund provides $1,000 grants to musicians to cover emergency needs. Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, acting director of the EDD, said in a news release announcing the reopening, “We have revised eligibility to ensure that grant guidelines accommodate more of our local musicians. The reopening of the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund will ensure that these recovery dollars serve immediate needs like rent and groceries for those musicians struggling since the pandemic hit Austin.” The application link will be live on Monday, Aug. 10, and will start accepting submissions through the MusiCares Foundation at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. According to the EDD, “To be eligible for the program, applicants must reside in a City Council district and be able to document their participation as a professional Austin musician.” Financial statements are no longer required and questions about income have been simplified. Find more information about eligibility requirements here.