Public support of the arts has been discussed almost exclusively in terms of City of Austin general obligation bond funding. Private sector contributions could be expanded, perhaps with the use of a united arts fund. The visual and performing arts were generally well represented at this session. However, there were few representatives of Austin's live music scene. This is disappointing as most of the venues for the live music capital are in Downtown.
All cities struggle with the problems of homelessness.
These problems, although regional, are most visible in Downtowns. In Austin, as in many other communities, the problem of public order has been confused with the problems of the less fortunate. Disorderly behavior is unacceptable in any community, regardless of the status of the violator. Providing needed services in the community does not imply disregarding basic rules of civic behavior. Provision of services and locations of providers need to be decided in a community context, with the needs of the neighborhoods taken into account.