Austin Texas Musicians™ Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and economic development for Austin’s working musicians. Representing a community of more than 8,000+ musicians across Central Texas, we work to amplify their collective voice by:

Improving the quality of life for those who make our city’s soundtrack
Advancing fair and sustainable policies that support the music industry
Strengthening Austin’s legacy as the Live Music Capital of the World.

Established in 2019, the Austin Texas Musicians advocates for musicians on city, state, and federal policy while also providing education and economic development to improve our quality of life. Together, we’re building a future where the people who make Austin’s music can afford to live, work, and thrive here.

Join us for our monthly "ATXM Night Shift" Music Industry Mixers the first week of every month. Days, times, and locations vary by venue, so please subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media for regular updates. Visit https://www.austintexasmusicians.org/events for more information.

💪 RESULTS THAT RESONATE

ADVOCACY

Real Wins for Working Musicians

$14M+ secured for Austin musicians and venues through the Live Music Fund, the first recurring music-specific public funding in U.S. history.
$200 citywide minimum pay rate established for all City-sponsored performances—finally setting a fair baseline.
$300K+ in paid gigs generated through ATXM-backed programs and partnerships.
AI & Copyright Protection Advocacy is underway at the state and federal levels to safeguard musicians’ creative rights.
Faster response in crises—ATXM pushed for and supported the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund, delivering emergency support to thousands.
Stronger representation: ATXM serves as a trusted voice at City Hall, State Capitol, U.S. Congress, and with major cultural and industry partners.
Expanded voting power: Hundreds registered through ATXM’s Volunteer Deputy Registrar program—helping musicians “Show Up, Speak Up & Be Heard.”
Policy breakthroughs in affordability, public funding processes, venue protections, AI regulation, and support for working-class artists.

EDUCATION

Direct Training & Support

1,500+ musicians served annually through free and low-cost education programs
40+ workshops, seminars & clinics delivered each year
100% of classes taught by working industry professionals (musicians, attorneys, marketers, producers)
92% of participants report increased confidence in business, legal, and financial skills

Career & Income Growth

700+ musicians trained in income-building topics: sync licensing, royalties, marketing, and monetization
Hundreds of musicians are now earning more from gigs, sync, merch, and digital platforms
Dozens of graduates successfully launched new revenue streams, including licensing placements, studio services, freelance work, and brand partnerships

Economic Stability & Equity

400+ musicians educated on contracts, copyright, IP protection, and AI-related risks
Thousands protected through legal literacy that prevents exploitation, wage theft, and predatory agreements
200+ musicians received free 1:1 expert guidance through ATXM partnerships (TALA, legal clinics, industry pros)

Community & Peer Learning

2,000+ community members engaged in group learning experiences
Masterclass Series scheduled to be launched for 2026, providing quarterly deep-dive instruction on Sync, Legal, Marketing/PR & Income Streams
Artist-to-Entrepreneur Mastermind was created to support emerging professional musicians through 12-week business-building cohorts in 2026.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

$300K+ in paid gigs generated for Austin musicians
$200 citywide minimum rate for all City-sponsored performances
$3.5M annually distributed to artists and venues through the Austin Live Music Fund, $14M as of March 2026.
Hundreds of paid bookings through ATXM partnerships and programs
New income pathways: education gigs, community events, program referrals
Tools for artist-entrepreneurs: contracts, grants, taxes, invoicing, small claims
Night Shift Industry Mixer → monthly networking leading to real paid work
Support for underrepresented musicians: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, rural, low-income
Lowering barriers to stay in the industry: discounted resources & grant navigation
Strengthening Austin’s creative workforce through fair pay and sustainable opportunities

2026: Our Biggest Year Yet — And We Need Your Help to Build It

Austin Texas Musicians is gearing up for our most ambitious year of growth and impact. In 2026, we’re expanding the programs and resources that directly support the lives and careers of Austin’s working musicians, including:

🎓 Expanded Education & Professional Development - Hands-on training, expert-led workshops, and career-building support to help musicians grow their skills and income.

🎛 The “Green Room” Creative Hub (Downtown) - A dedicated space for artists to collaborate, learn, record, rehearse, and access essential services right in the heart of Austin.

🚗 Discounted Parking & Safe Escort to/from Gigs - Practical, real-world support to keep musicians safe and help reduce the rising costs of performing in the city.

🎤 More Paid Performance Opportunities - New venue partnerships mean more gigs, better pay, and stronger visibility for Austin artists.

🛠 A Tech-Driven Gear Theft Solution - We’re developing tools to help protect musicians’ livelihoods and reduce the growing threat of stolen equipment.

🎶 Bigger, Better Night Shift Musician Mixers - More community-building events that bring musicians, industry pros, and supporters together to connect, collaborate, and grow.

🏛 Strengthened Advocacy — Local, State & Federal - In 2026, ATXM is doubling down on the work that shapes long-term change. This includes:

Federal-level AI lobbying to protect creators’ rights as artificial intelligence quickly reshapes copyright, compensation, and ownership.
Battling harmful streaming royalty rates that keep songwriters and performers underpaid—one of the most challenging issues in modern music policy, but one we are committed to taking on as our organization grows.
When this ship sails at full strength, ATXM will be able to devote even more time, expertise, and political pressure to fighting for fair pay across all levels of the industry.

For 15 years, this community has built something powerful together—and these 2026 initiatives will deepen our impact. But we can’t do it without your support.

Your donations fuel the programs that keep Austin’s music alive. Please help us build a future where musicians can live, work, and thrive right here at home.

Ways to Support ATXM

🤝 Corporate Sponsorships
Fund a Master Class, cohort scholarship, or full program series.

🎉 Fundraising Teams
Engage employees in peer-to-peer giving through GiveButter.

🛒 Point-of-Sale Giving
Enable round-up or automated donation options at checkout.

🔁 Recurring Donations
Support ongoing education, advocacy, and professional development year-round.

👥 Employee Engagement
Volunteer, host workshops, match donations, or run internal giving drives.

🎵 How It Started....

In 2008, just before competing on the first season of The Voice, Austin musician Nakia Reynoso started a private Facebook group to help local artists connect—finding gigs, trading gear, and sharing resources.

That single act of community sparked a movement.

As membership grew, so did the need for advocacy.

By 2019, the network had expanded to thousands of members, and Nakia joined a small group of working musicians to take the next step—formally founding Austin Texas Musicians™, now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advocacy, education, and economic development for Central Texas musicians.

🎶 About ATXM Now

What began as a grassroots online group has become a powerful advocate and support system for more than 6,000+ working musicians across Central Texas.

Through collaboration with city leaders, community partners, and music professionals, the Austin Texas Musicians Fund is creating a future where artists can build sustainable careers and continue to shape Austin’s identity as the Live Music Capital of the World.

❤️ Support Austin Musicians. Strengthen Our City.

Your donation fuels the advocacy, education, and economic development that keep our local music community thriving.

When you give to the Austin Texas Musicians Fund, you’re not just donating—you’re investing in the people who make Austin, Austin.

Together, we can protect the artists who bring our city to life and ensure that the next generation of Austin musicians has the resources, respect, and representation they deserve.

🎸 Give today—and keep the music playing.

👉 Learn more at www.austintexasmusicians.org

The Austin Texas Musicians Fund (ATXM)

Advocacy for Central Texas Musicians & Venues

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