Sept. 22nd & Oct. 6th: Kozmetsky Center of Excellence Community Forum Series
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 garden on campus.
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.
Image courtesy of Kozmetsky Center of Excellence, St. Edward’s University.
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.
Details:
Austin’s identity as the Live Music Capital of the World® was built by generations of musicians and creatives. Today, rising costs, development pressures, changing industry economics, and affordability challenges are making it increasingly difficult for artists to build sustainable lives and careers here.
Join Austin Texas Musicians (ATXM), the Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement, and St. Edward’s University for the first event in a two-part Community Forum Series examining what Austin must do now to protect its creative culture—and ensure the people who create it can continue to call Austin home.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Forum: 1–3 pm
Community Reception: 3:30–5 pm
Forum Location: Jones Auditorium, St. Edward’s University
Reception Location: Kozmetsky Center Oak Garden at the Carriage House
Capacity: Limited to 310 guests; RSVP required
The Conversation
This civic forum will bring together musicians, artists, policymakers, civic and business leaders, university students and faculty, music-industry professionals, community advocates, music fans, and local media.
Panelists will explore:
What being the Live Music Capital means today—and whether Austin is living up to that promise
The economic and cultural pressures facing musicians and artists
How housing, wages, affordability, venues, and development affect Austin’s creative community
Which policies and public investments are working—and where gaps remain
How musicians and residents can participate more effectively in civic decision-making
The shared responsibilities of government, businesses, universities, nonprofits, and the community
Tangible actions Austin can take to strengthen its music ecosystem for the next generation
Featured Panelists
Pat Buchta — Executive Director and CEO, Austin Texas Musicians
Chip Adams — Director, Texas Music Office, Office of the Governor
Angela Means — Director, City of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment
Mike Tolleson — Owner, Mike Tolleson & Associates, LLP
Courtney Santana — Recording Artist | Civic Advocate | Founder & Tech Entrepreneur
Guy Forsyth — Independent musician and longtime community advocate
Joe Nick Patoski — Writer and Texas historian
Moderator: David Thomason, Ph.D., Executive Director, Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement
Community Reception
Following the forum, continue the conversation during a community reception in the Kozmetsky Center Oak Garden at the Carriage House. The reception will feature live music and opportunities to connect informally with musicians, students, civic leaders, community members, media, and panelists.
This is not a commercial conference or fundraiser. It is a free civic forum designed to encourage informed, constructive conversation, identify practical solutions, and give the public meaningful ways to help strengthen Austin’s music community.
Seating is limited. Advance RSVP is required.
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
Moderator: David Thomason, Ph.D., Executive Director, Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement
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.
Featured Panelists
Rebecca Reynolds — President & Founder, Music Venue Alliance Austin
Nicole Klepadlo — Executive Director, Red River Cultural District
Will Bridges — Owner, Antone’s Nightclub
Graham Williams — CEO & Executive of Talent Buying, Resound Presents
Emmett Beliveau — COO, C3 Presents, Chair of Rally Austin
Pedro Carvahlo — Owner and CEO, The Far Out Lounge, Co-Chair, Austin Music Commission
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.
