BY KATY MCAFEE
What else
What’s next
of their lives. He said the program has also encouraged more artists to pursue their music careers in Austin knowing they have their health care expenses covered. “We’ve helped mitigate some of that impact of affordability, but we can’t solve it altogether,” Scott said. “Housing is a larger issue that’s going to take a community effort.”
Amid a tough climate for local musicians, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, or HAAM, offers free health insurance to over 3,000 local musicians, about 75% of whom earn less than $25,000 a year. HAAM CEO Paul Scott said the program has saved local artists from paying thousands of dollars worth of health care bills that might have stayed with them for the rest
Austin leaders have several plans in the works to help local venues and artists keep making music. On Feb. 16, organizers for Blues on the Green announced it was back on, weeks after it was cancelled due to costs. H-E-B and city of Austin officials stepped in to help. Additionally, council member Natasha Harper-Madison put forth a resolution Feb. 15 to support the
city’s music ecosystem, like co- sponsoring more live music events. “Our vision is that the future generations of Austinites will get to experience live music events and traditions that are the fabric of our uniquely Austin quality of life.” Harper-Madison said. Council will take up Red River’s funding request Feb. 29, after press time.
“I wish I could say there’s this amazing thing in the works that’s going to help musicians make what would be living wage in Austin, Texas. I think right now there just isn’t.” ANNE-CHARLOTTE PATTERSON, AUSTIN MUSIC COMMISSION VICE-CHAIR
HAAM saves the average musician $7,308 a year in health care costs
HAAM has served over 6,700 musicians since it was founded in 2005
HAAM saved Austin musicians an estimated $15.5 million on insurance costs in 2023
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SOURCE: HEALTH ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN MUSICIANS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Summer Theatre Camps
Photo: KirkTuck.com
Weekly camps May 28-August 8 | Ages 3.5-Grade 10 | Register: zachtheatre.org/education
Downtown: 1510 Toomey Road | education @ zachtheatre.org
North: 14010 N. Highway 183, Suite 540 | zachnorth@achtheatre.org
Summer Camp Presenting Sponsor
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION
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