?
On October 24, 2023, the Texas Music Office participated in the launch event for the Texas Music Incubator Rebate (TMIR) Program at Gruene Hall, where TMO Director Brendon Anthony acted as the emcee. The event was hosted by State Senators Carol Alvarado and Donna Campbell, and Representative Geanie Morrison, along with other industry groups who helped shepherd the program through the Texas Legislature. Attendees included Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Representatives Jared Patterson and Cole Hefner, the Music Venue Alliance ? Texas, Kessler Presents, Saxon Pub, Texas State Association of Firefighters, and more. Musicians Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen performed for the audience.
+++
The Texas Music Office (TMO) announced the opening of applications for the?Texas Music Incubator Rebate (TMIR)?Program?on September 1, 2023. The program was?signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021?and received an appropriation after the 88th Legislative session in 2023. The first round of applications closes November 30, 2023.
With $20.2 million in funding approved for the biennium, the TMIR Program will provide qualifying Texas music venues and festival promoters a full or partial rebate of certain taxes to help support the live music industry in communities across the state.?
?
?
Join the?City of Houston, the?City of Houston's Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, the?Houston Music Advisory Board, and the Office of the Governor's?Texas Music Office?for the 5th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference in Houston on November 8-9, 2023!
This two-day conference will include panel discussions on the ongoing development of the Texas music scene, conversations about potential statewide collaboration between certified communities, as well as conversations spotlighting economic development best practices which in turn lead to increased music tourism and music scene cohesion. This yearly conference is a time for our Music Friendly Texas Community Liaisons to come together and learn not only from each other, but to also learn from music industry professionals, musicians, thought-leaders and more ? to keep our great state?s music scene moving forward.
?
?
The Texas Music Office celebrated a milestone in the Music Friendly Texas Program, as the City of Kerrville became the 50th community in Texas to receive the Music Friendly Texas Certified Community designation by the TMO on October 26. The certification ceremony was held at The Arcadia Live in Downtown Kerrville and included speakers from the Kerrville community and city leaders, and included performances by local musicians. The designation was presented by TMO Community Relations & Outreach Specialist Chip Adams.
?
?
On October 18, 2023, TMO Director Brendon Anthony presented an award for ?Best Initiative Using Music for Economic, Social or Community Development" at the 2023?Music Cities Convention and Awards in Huntsville, Alabama. Music Cities Convention is the world?s biggest event to explore the relationship between city planning, health, education, tourism, economic development, and the music industry.
?
?
TMO Program Specialist Steve Ray attended the SXSW Sydney event in Sydney, Australia on behalf of the Texas Music Office, in partnership with Travel Texas, Brand USA, Visit Austin, and more, for a week full of panels and conferences and a dedicated ?Texas Day? that included music, line-dancing lessons, BBQ, and more activities designed to promote the Lone Star State.
?
TMO Director Brendon Anthony participated in the inaugural NOLA MusiCon?on Thursday, October 26, for the panel ?This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better? with author Shain Shapiro.?
"Sometimes the work of improving city policy is more holistic and longer-term focused than the day-to-day needs and realities of the sector, but the work of MetroNOME, the Texas Music Office and others demonstrates a direct correlation that we want to explore: that public officials engaged in music have direct, immediate impact on local music industry development. Learn how music cities and the music industry can improve together and create better music-business friendly places for everyone."
?
On October 18, TMO Program Specialist Chris Patin participated on behalf of the TMO?s partnership with the inaugural Music Managers Forum ? US Austin Summit at Antone?s on a panel with representatives from MMF-US, Sonic Guild, Austin Texas Musicians, and Women in Music Austin.
?
The City of Weatherford, having completed the multi-step certification process, became the 47th Music Friendly Texas Certified Community by the TMO on Saturday, October 7.?
The City of Sweetwater was designated as the 48th Music Friendly Texas Certified Community? by the TMO on Saturday, October 7.
On Saturday, October 21, TMO's Chip Adams presented the City of Clear Lake Shores with their official certification as the 49th Music Friendly Texas Certified Community to be certified by the TMO.?
?
Throughout the month of October, TMO's?Community Relations & Outreach Specialist Chip Adams held workshops in multiple communities throughout the state. Learn more about each event below:
|
? 
? 
? 
? 
? 
