Austin Studios Receives $75,000 Grant

The Austin Film Society is using a $75,000 grant to come up with a plan for incorporating another building into the Austin Studios campus at the former Mueller Airport.

The National Endowment for the Arts grant will go towards redeveloping the old National Guard building at Mueller into a space for the community and filmmakers to come together.

AFS Deputy Director Sarah Ann Mockbee says Austin has a vibrant film scene but, right now, it’s not that accessible to everyone.

“The National Guard Building is a game-changer in the sense that we’re now going to be in a position where we’re going to have a place for tourists to come when they want to see 'where is the film industry in Austin?' Well now there will be a place to go to," Mockbee says.

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Credit flickr.com/carolee

The former National Guard Armory would add more than 60,000 square feet of space.

Preliminary plans include space for film production along with a new exhibition and visitor’s center, screening rooms and a plaza and lobby for public events.

Austin Studios is slated to received $3 million for expansion as part of the current City of Austin bond proposal. The city council is expected to approve the final bond proposal in August.