Your word on our bond

The city has opened up the survey portal to gather ideas for how best to use the $12 million in bond money voters approved in November to preserve and create music venues, art studios and other spaces for creatives. The input gathered from the survey will be included with feedback from a joint meeting of the city’s art and music commissions, with a working group from those bodies charged with crafting a formal recommendation that will need to be vetted by city legal and approved by City Council. Asked about the importance of the survey, Music Commission Chair Gavin Garcia said, “With arts advocates’ support, the survey was constructed with the commercial music industry in mind as a primary creative focus. That’s an achievement in itself. Although there’s no precedent, I think Austin music understands the degree of responsibility it has in identifying how the city can best utilize the funds. Whether it’s acquiring land and constructing or renovating existing property, music patrons, performers and facility staff will have an equal say.”