VIBE AWARD CALL FOR VIBE WEEKEND EVENT PROPOSALS

——————— INTRODUCTION

ABOUT VIBE DOWNTOWN — Everyone is welcome to discover Downtown. In 2025, the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation will launch a new annual event series to amplify the art, culture and vibe of Austin, Texas.
 

Designed to help everyone discover underutilized spaces, these activations will occur in collaboration with a number of community partners – all working together to bolster creative industries and enhance visitorship Downtown. 

——————— ABOUT THIS OPEN CALL

Are you a creative or artist hosting (or hoping to host) cultural events in Downtown Austin? Consider applying for our first annual Open Call for Vibe Weekend. 

For the first time, Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation invites independent creatives, artists, and cultural workers in Austin to submit event proposals for Vibe Weekend, an event celebrating the “vibe” of Austin in downtown spaces. This collaborative pilot program has been designed to bridge emerging gaps in economic prosperity and the urgent need to cultivate more culture and community downtown. 

Vibe Weekend will transform the historic 500 block of Old 6th Street on September 19 & 20, showcasing Austin's vibrant culture through local makers, murals, and music. The event will take place at two venues:

• 508 E Sixth Street, Austin, TX 78701
• 522 E Sixth Street Parking Lot, Austin, TX 78701
   

Interested applicants are invited to submit proposals for independent experiences at Vibe Weekend. Each awarded applicant will be supplied with a $6,000 budget to produce the experience, as well as access to Vibe Weekend venues and locations. Interested applicants should submit projects that align with this year’s themes, selected locations, as well as scoring criteria.

Apply now to be part of this exciting opportunity to make your mark on the vibrant cultural landscape of our city. Create the vibe. 

VIBE DOWNTOWN GOALS —

• Support Local Economy: Encourages funded opportunities for cultural events Downtown, as well as cultural projects by independent creatives and small businesses, while encouraging local visitorship to Downtown Austin district
• Drive Strong Austin Storytelling: Drives memory-building & organic storytelling for Downtown Austin through experiential events
• Built Environment Belonging: Creates opportunities for new and traditionally underrepresented stakeholders in Downtown Austin’s built environment, collecting year-over-year data on the impact of arts and culture Downtown

WHY VIBE DOWNTOWN EXISTS — 

Downtown Austin Alliance’s Active Urbanism team partnered with Future Front Texas and community groups to create the Artists & Creatives Thrive Community Engagement Report. This report explores ways to support culture and opportunity Downtown. Through this public engagement process, Vibe Downtown and VibeWeekend were born.
 

Why Arts, Culture, and Community Matter

Integrating arts and culture into underutilized spaces makes Downtown Austin more engaging and connected. Public art, performances, festivals, and creative placemaking bring energy to the city, encouraging exploration and interaction. These elements strengthen identity, social bonds, and economic growth—making Austin a more vibrant place for everyone. Learn more via “Artists and Creatives Thrive Report (2023/24).”
 

——————— HOW TO APPLY

AWARD SUMMARY —

Project Submission Deadline: May 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Timeline:

• April 3, 2025 — Vibe Award Open Call Released
• May 5, 2025 — Vibe Award Open Call Closes
• May 27, 2025 — Awardees Identified
• September 19 & 20,  2025 — Funded Events Held

Available Awards: A total of five (5) Vibe Weekend Awards will be distributed. Each selected project will be supplied with a $6,000 budget to produce the experience.

Location/Venues: Old 6th Street with venues located at 508 E Sixth Street, Austin, TX 78701 and 522 E Sixth Street Parking Lot, Austin, TX 78701

This award gives you the chance to bring people together and make a difference in the community. Here’s what you get:

• Funding to create a project that shows what discovering Downtown Austin means to you for Vibe Weekend.
• Access to designated spaces and resources at the Vibe Weekend location
• Opportunities to meet, work with, and learn from fellow creatives and industry professionals.
• Access to a full year of ongoing learning opportunities to enhance your skills, career growth and professional development.
• A key role in shaping future Downtown Austin Space Activation programs.
   

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

Each Vibe Weekend project proposal must align with Downtown Austin Alliance’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan by amplifying one of these six themes:     

1. Hyperlocal Storytelling
2. Community Histories & Futures
3. Experiential Design & Interactivity
4. Creative Community Belonging
5. Intentional Cultural Diversity
6. Cultural Environmentalism

And:

• Must elevate the theme of discovering downtown Austin
• Must articulate an intended audience & how the audience relates to Austin’s history or demographics
• Vibe Awards must be utilized for a public event or experience 
• Each project proposal must be held on the approved date and location for Vibe Weekend.
• Applicants must have an online presence and present supporting media metrics from past events to help illustrate the overall level of experience.
• Applicants must demonstrate their ability to produce a similarly scaled event by providing:

1.  Sample Budget:

• Includes a standardized artist fee for all talent
• Outlines all major expenses to show event feasibility
• Total budget amount

       2. Minimum & Maximum Capacity Numbers and Total Attendance

       3. Event Layout & Detailed Site Map