Open nowAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
City of Austin ACMEAustin Live Music Fund
Supports professional musicians, independent promoters and live music venues for public-facing projects including studio or video production, touring, events and marketing.
Funding & grants
- WHAT YOU GET
- $5,000 or $20,000 musician/promoter awards; qualifying venues can receive $70,000.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Professional musicians must document two years of regular public performance, six released singles or six promotional music videos. Other City and project-location rules apply.
- TIMING
- Apply by August 18, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Visit official resource ↗Open nowAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
City of Austin ACMEElevate Grant
Funds publicly accessible cultural programming produced by arts organizations, individual artists and creative businesses.
Funding & grants
- WHAT YOU GET
- Part of an $11 million FY27 funding pool.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Austin-area cultural projects must meet the current ACME guidelines, public-access and tourism requirements.
- TIMING
- Apply by August 18, 2026
Visit official resource ↗UpcomingAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
City of Austin ACMENexus Grant
Supports emerging and established artists and arts groups creating projects that reflect and engage Austin communities.
Funding & grants
- WHAT YOU GET
- $5,000 and $10,000 awards for a 12-month grant period.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Individual artists and small arts groups; review the new cycle guidelines when applications open.
- TIMING
- Fall applications open September 8, 2026
Visit official resource ↗RecurringAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
Sonic GuildSonic Guild Austin Artist Grants
Community-funded grants, paid performances and industry connections for Austin-area artists. Artists are nominated and selected through the Austin chapter's patron community.
Funding & grantsCareer & education
- WHAT YOU GET
- Sonic Guild reports more than $6.5 million distributed to Austin musicians and music businesses since 2013.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Austin-area musicians; the main artist program is nomination-based rather than a conventional open application.
Visit official resource ↗RecurringAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
Sonic GuildSonic Guild Tour Support
Helps working artists cover the cost of meaningful regional and national touring.
Funding & grants
- WHAT YOU GET
- Tour-support funding evaluated by a regional industry panel.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Texas artists age 21+ with most of the touring party within 30 miles of Austin; eligible tours include at least three consecutive out-of-market shows and 250+ miles of travel.
- TIMING
- The 2026 Cycle 3 deadline passed July 31; watch for the next cycle
Visit official resource ↗Year-roundAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
Health Alliance for Austin MusiciansHAAM Membership & Benefits
Free membership connecting working Austin-area musicians, DJs and music teachers to medical, dental, vision, hearing, fitness, mind-and-body and healthcare-navigation services.
Healthcare
- WHAT YOU GET
- Healthcare navigation plus access to discounted or free services; qualifying members may receive insurance-premium assistance.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Austin-area working musicians who meet HAAM's current work, residence and income requirements. Membership is free.
- TIMING
- Year-round enrollment runs December 15–October 31
Visit official resource ↗Year-roundAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
HAAM + H-E-B WellnessMusician Primary Care Program
Direct primary care for uninsured musicians, including checkups, basic labs, immunizations, selected specialty care and telehealth across Texas.
HealthcareMental health
- WHAT YOU GET
- Primary care plus up to six counseling sessions and 24/7 telehealth while touring in Texas.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Uninsured HAAM musicians; spots are limited and offered first-come, first-served. This is direct primary care, not health insurance.
Visit official resource ↗Year-roundAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
SIMS FoundationSIMS Behavioral Health Services
Confidential mental-health and substance-use support built for Austin's music community and dependent family members, with case management and a broad provider network.
Mental healthHealthcare
- WHAT YOU GET
- Counseling, psychiatry, medication management, recovery care, residential and outpatient treatment navigation.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Austin music-industry professionals who meet current industry-income, residence and household-income guidelines; documentation is required.
Visit official resource ↗Open nowAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
Housing Opportunities for Musicians and EntertainersHOME Housing Assistance
Ongoing rent and utility support, case management and one-time emergency grants that help veteran Austin musicians remain housed.
Housing & emergencyFunding & grants
- WHAT YOU GET
- Long-term housing help averaging about $800 monthly; expedited emergency grants up to $500 are currently advertised.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- For long-term housing help: age 55+, 20+ years as a working musician and residence within 70 miles of Austin. Review the emergency application for its current rules.
Visit official resource ↗Year-round
MusiCaresMusiCares Assistance
Confidential nationwide help for music professionals facing financial, medical, mental-health, addiction-recovery or disaster-related hardship.
Housing & emergencyHealthcareMental healthFunding & grants
- WHAT YOU GET
- Approved assistance can pay landlords, utilities, medical providers, therapists and treatment programs directly.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Generally five years of music-industry employment or credits on six commercially released recordings/videos; disaster relief lowers the work-history threshold to three years.
Visit official resource ↗Year-round
Sweet Relief Musicians FundSweet Relief Assistance
Emergency help for career musicians and music-industry workers facing serious physical or mental health issues, disability or age-related hardship.
Housing & emergencyHealthcareMental healthFunding & grants
- WHAT YOU GET
- May cover medical care, premiums, prescriptions, housing, food, utilities and other vital living expenses.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Financial need plus a qualifying career history; most applicants must earn at least half of their income from music and document a serious condition affecting work.
Visit official resource ↗Temporarily closedAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
Austin Creative AllianceArtists’ Emergency Fund
Unrestricted emergency aid for Greater Austin artists and cultural workers dealing with housing, food or healthcare crises.
Housing & emergencyFunding & grants
- WHAT YOU GET
- Historically offered up to $1,000 in unrestricted support.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Greater Austin cultural-sector workers; submit contact information to receive notice when the fund reopens.
Visit official resource ↗Year-roundAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
City of Austin ACMEPublic Performance Program
Adds Austin musicians and bands to the City's roster for consideration for City-organized performances, including airport and civic programming.
Paid opportunities
- WHAT YOU GET
- City minimums start at $200 per musician for groups of up to six, with separate rates for larger groups.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Austin-based musicians and bands should create a City account and submit qualifications to the performance database.
Visit official resource ↗RecurringAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
Austin Public LibraryElectric Lady Bird
A curated streaming collection that introduces Central Texas music to listeners worldwide through Austin Public Library.
Paid opportunitiesCareer & education
- WHAT YOU GET
- Selected artists receive $200 for a non-exclusive three-year license to stream the album or EP.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- During submission rounds, send one to three tracks from an album or EP released within the last two years that you control.
Visit official resource ↗Year-roundAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
Austin Music FoundationAustin Music Foundation Programs
Year-round music-business education, professional development, mentoring and networking for independent artists and music professionals.
Career & education
- WHAT YOU GET
- Practical help with self-management, marketing, career sustainability and industry connections.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Austin music community; many educational offerings are provided at no cost.
Visit official resource ↗Year-roundAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the ArtsPro Bono Legal & Accounting Help
Legal and accounting assistance for contracts, business setup, copyright, trademarks, taxes and other creative-career needs, plus free public education.
Legal & businessCareer & education
- WHAT YOU GET
- Matching with volunteer Texas attorneys and accountants for qualifying matters.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Individual artists must generally earn below 300% of federal poverty guidelines. Membership application and fee are required for direct services; public education is free.
Visit official resource ↗Year-roundAUSTIN / CENTRAL TEXAS
HAAMHAAM Community Resource Navigator
A musician-focused directory and navigation service covering food, housing, utilities, transportation, taxes, prescriptions and other basic needs.
Housing & emergencyLegal & businessHealthcare
- WHAT YOU GET
- One starting point when the need does not fit a music grant or medical program.
- WHO IT’S FOR
- Resources vary; HAAM members can ask the Musician Services team for help navigating available programs.
Visit official resource ↗