Real, Raw Austin is more than just an event—it’s a movement!

We’re uniting the unhoused and housed communities in Austin for a day of raw, honest expression and creative rebellion.

In a time where innovation is showcased so heavily, we want to call your attention to the present moment and remind you that the future you want sometimes comes in the most unexpected ways.

From day to night, we've got an array of education, celebration, and extremely talented creatives to guide you on the journey of deconstructing the stereotypes around lived experience of homelessness and reimagining a world of humans instead of have and have-nots.

This is a grassroots event for the people, by the people. Every ticket purchase goes directly to supporting the artists, speakers, and community members who make this event possible.

Let’s tear down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and hold space for every story—every struggle and every triumph. Let’s get raw. Let’s get real.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• DAYTIME VENDOR MARKET (organized by Zenith Markets): Meet individuals who have experienced homelessness firsthand. They’re showcasing their work and offering unique crafts born of lived experience.

• NONPROFIT RESOURCES: Connect with organizations sharing essential information and services, dedicated to addressing homelessness head-on.

• ART GALLERY & *RAFFLE: Wander through an art gallery featuring pieces from artists whose work reflects their personal journeys. Some have moved beyond homelessness, while others are still in the struggle.

*Artists have the option to choose one piece to be sold by way of a raffle drawing. Raffle tickets for these pieces will be drawn at night.

• LIVE MUSIC AND FEATURED PERFORMANCES:Experience performances from 7 artists—some who have overcome homelessness and others who are still in the midst of it—delivering music as raw and authentic as their stories.

• PANEL DISCUSSIONS: Join us for panels featuring expertise and lived experience as the foundations for discussing homelessness as a complex reality versus the simplified stereotypes. These panels include...

👉Integrating the Non Profit World Panel (2:30 pm - 3:30 pm) - A panel of folks with lived experienced of homelessness and now work in the non profit world to help solve it.

👉Unhoused Artist Panel (4:00 pm - 5:00 pm) - Delve deep into the creative process of unhoused artists. This panel goes beyond the art—it explores the grit, passion, and resilience forged in the midst of real-life challenges, offering an unfiltered look into how their experiences shape their work.

👉Live Interview with Mesha Fox (5:30 pm - 6:00 pm) - Join a raw, in-depth conversation with Mesha Fox as they dissect the realities of activism and the fight against homelessness.

• FILM PREMIERE OF “The Home in You” (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm): Watch the premiere of a local film that examines the many forms of homelessness. This film shatters the single-story narrative, expanding our views on what homelessness really is.