Like many Austin businesses, we are experiencing the fallout of SXSW.
We were grateful to find several events and concerts that needed our production help in mid-March. Due to the cancellation of SXSW, that work is now postponed or gone. While this is a blow to our business, we are gonna be OK. There are plenty of other Austin businesses and residents that are not as certain about their futures, though.
The purpose of sharing this is not to gain sympathy for us. Rather, these circumstances remind us why we love Austin so much, and we want to share the silver lining.
There’s no doubt that what transpired is galvanizing the Austin community. If apathy is the truest sign of a dying community, the reaction to SXSW’s cancellation illustrates just how vibrant our community is. Creative pursuits are valued in this town, and now is the time to demonstrate just how much they mean to you.
- Our friends at DoStuff put together this list of Austin events that are still happening.
- The good people at WhenWhereWhat rebuilt their spreadsheet with robust event listings.
- RallyAustin is a group of local businesses uniting to minimize the economic impact of SXSW’s cancellation. To get involved and learn more, visit RallyAustin.com.
- People who lost jobs are posting on ILostMyGig.com if you want to support them.
- Here is a comprehensive doc that lists other ways people can help Austin businesses, artists, musicians, etc.
Let’s be especially sensitive to the ~50 employees laid off at SXSW, as well as the remaining employees who are dealing with the aftermath. Major props to Rebecca Feferman, who used to lead SXSports, for encouraging understanding instead of criticism.
Rach I’m certain they’re just underwater and in full triage mode. The housing dept staff is actually really small and the amount of details they’re no doubt untangling now is basically unimaginable.
— Rebecca Feferman (@RebFef) March 10, 2020
Lululemon executive Kelly Krause is another SXSW veteran who is trying to help her former colleagues.
A lot of friends & old SXSW family were laid off yesterday. If you’re hiring in the tech, film, music, or education space, please respond on here. I would love to help them find a new home. https://t.co/fAYXzUv4Sg
— Kelly Krause (@kelljokrause) March 10, 2020
SXSW’s stated mission is to help creative people achieve their goals. That might as well be Austin’s mission, and we’re proud to call this place our home.
If you’re an Austin business or independent artist that is experiencing a setback due to SXSW’s cancellation, email us at [email protected] if you need production or marketing help. We want to help.
Sincerely,
Nick, Heather, and Tony
3rd & Lamar co-founders
