Sept. 22nd & Oct. 6th: Kozmetsky Center of Civic Engagement Community Announced
Image courtesy of Kozmetsky Center of Excellence, St. Edward’s University.
Is Austin Still the Live Music Capital?
This September, ATXM and the Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement will launch a new Community Forum Series focused on the future of Austin's music ecosystem.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 22, 1 PM - 3 PM, and Tuesday, October 6, 1 PM- 3 PM, at Jones Auditorium at St. Edward’s University in downtown Austin.
Austin has proudly carried the title of the Live Music Capital of the World®, yet rising costs, changing economics, venue challenges, evolving technology, and shifting audience behavior have created important questions about the future of the city's music ecosystem.
This two-part public forum series will bring together artists, venues, promoters, policymakers, educators, students, and community leaders for balanced, solution-oriented conversations about protecting Austin's creative culture and strengthening the live music economy. Each forum will conclude with a Community Mixer & Live Music in the Kozmetsky Center/Carriage House on campus.
Forum One – September 22, 2026
Is Austin Still the Live Music Capital? Protecting Austin's Creative Culture
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Jones Auditorium, St. Edward's University
Admission: Free and Open to the Public
Hear artists, musicians, and policymakers discuss how Austin can preserve the creative culture that defines the city while supporting the people who create it.
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Forum Two – October 6, 2026
Is Austin Still the Live Music Capital? Understanding Austin’s Live Music Venue Ecosystem
Date & Time: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Jones Auditorium, St. Edward's University
Admission: Free and Open to the Public
Hear venue owners, producers, promoters, and ticketing professionals discuss how Austin can continue to make live music accessible while ensuring artists and venues remain financially sustainable.
Program
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Food Truck, Musician Services Organizations Mixer @ Kozmetsky Center/Carriage House Oak Garden
12:30 PM –1:00 PM: Doors Open
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM: Moderated Community Forum
2:15 PM – 2:50 PM: Audience Q&A
2:50 PM – 3:00 PM: Closing Remarks
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Event Mixer & Live Music in the Kozmetsky Oak Garden
Series Goals
Educate the public on Austin's music ecosystem.
Foster respectful, solution-oriented conversations.
Strengthen collaboration among artists, venues, industry, government, and community organizations.
Provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
Develop educational resources extending beyond the live events.
Panelists
Panelists are currently being finalized.
But mark your calendars and watch for updates. We’ll post registration information on the ATXM Events Page as soon as possible. Seats will be limited to 300.
Community Mixer & Live Music
Following each forum, attendees are invited to the Kozmetsky Center/Carriage House Oak Garden for an outdoor networking reception featuring live performances by Austin musicians, community partner tables, sponsor engagement, and opportunities to continue the conversation in a relaxed campus setting.
The mixer encourages continued dialogue and relationship-building among artists, students, educators, policymakers, venues, and community leaders.
We hope you'll join the conversation.
