Portrait by Ismael Quintanilla.
ABOUT
Cody Cowan is a seasoned music industry professional with over 25 years of experience spanning the civic, hospitality, and live entertainment sectors. A lifelong Austin resident, he has dedicated his career to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of his hometown, renowned as the Live Music Capital of the World. Cody began his career as a musician, performing, recording, and touring before transitioning to roles at iconic Austin venues and festivals such as Emo’s, Mohawk, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Free Week, and Hot Summer Nights.
In 2015, Cody co-founded the Red River Cultural District, a nonprofit organization focused on preserving Austin’s downtown cultural hub as a premier global tourism destination. As Executive Director, he led the district to secure state cultural designation, $1.4 million in public infrastructure funding, and delivered $255,000 in charitable food grants. He also played a pivotal role in securing $17 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funding for national independent music workers, venues, and promoters.
Cody was instrumental in national and state disaster relief efforts for the live entertainment industry, helping to shape programs such as Austin’s Live Music Fund, the Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program, and the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operator Grant, the largest arts grant in U.S. history.
In 2022, Cody became Chief Operating Officer of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), the first trade association for independent live entertainment. Over two years, he was integral in establishing key organizational standards, nonprofit governance, and member services, while overseeing finance, administration, and human resources.
Now a professional consultant, Cody provides expertise in leadership, organizational development, and creative direction to small businesses and nonprofits. He has been an avid photographer, capturing Austin’s vibrant live music culture since 2016. Cody holds a BA in History from the University of Texas at Austin.
“Live entertainment brings us together”
