University of Texas kicks KUT Festival off campus
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University of Texas officials are standing by their decision to order KUT's inaugural festival to move off campus, citing security concerns.
Why it matters: The last-minute decision threw a major wrench into this weekend's long-planned event and highlights the complicated position of public media outlets housed within state universities.
Driving the news: Nearly all programming, intended to take place over two days at various locations on the campus, will now happen Saturday at the brewery and restaurant Central Machine Works and neighboring East End Ballroom, more than 3 miles from UT.
Catch up quick: The festival will feature live music, author conversations, book signings and panel discussions.
- The event aims to "celebrate what makes Austin great, as well as connect on the issues that are important to our community," KUT public media general manager Debbie Hiott wrote in an email to panelists announcing the changes.
What they're saying: In the email, Hiott said the university first raised concerns last Wednesday.
- "On Friday, the university ordered KUT to cancel the outdoor portions of the events citing a safety analysis that they have yet to provide us."
- "In our months of planning, we have agreed to every health, security and safety request that has been made of us and our production company, which has produced the Texas Tribune Festival and many other major events over the years."
The other side: "The University is disappointed that the inaugural KUT Festival had to relocate and resize some of its events due to poor planning. However, it was the right decision," Amanda Cochran-McCall, vice president for legal affairs and general counsel, wrote in a letter to Hiott on Wednesday.
- KUT's plans were short 10 police officers and had insufficient crowed control measures and reunification processes for missing or lost children, Cochran-McCall wrote.
- "Event planners rejected UTPD's advice to include unmanned aerial vehicle overwatch," she wrote.
The big picture: It's been a rough past year for KUT and KUTX, which have had to deal with major cuts to public broadcasting out of Washington even as they continue to deliver award-winning and inventive local news coverage and music programming.
- KUT staff are university employees and the station broadcasts from campus.
Follow the money: Paid badges will be refunded, but "so far we are getting emails from many attendees telling us they'd rather just leave it as a donation," Hiott tells Axios.
- "In the midst of our scramble, we're not really sure what a move is going to cost us, but we've already had some of our biggest supporters reach out to say they can assist with costs if needed."
- "We weren't expecting to make much — if any — revenue after costs off an event like this for the first year. Our goal was to show a proof of concept and build it into something that will help provide a sustainable source of revenue for the future, as other media organizations have done," Hiott says.
If you go: Friday's keynote with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker will still be held at the LBJ Presidential Library, according to KUT.
- Indoor sessions had required paid tickets or badges, but now the entire event will be free to attend. The festival still requires registration.
- Speakers include Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, filmmaker Noah Hawley, Travis County Judge Andy Brown, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) and District Attorney José Garza. Performers include Shakey Graves and Blk Odyssy.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include response from UT. Also, Axios reporter Asher Price had been scheduled to moderate one of the KUT Festival sessions.