HouArts in Action.

Art and culture are the heart beat of the thriving Greater Houston Region.

But too often, the impact and needs of this essential sector are left out of the conversation. HouArts in Action is a unified approach to champion arts and culture across the region,

We are building a coalition of artists, organizations, business leaders, and community champions to amplify the collective voice of the creative sector and put arts on the agenda.

What is the approach?

Put Arts on the Agenda

HouArts in Action will coordinate research on the impact of arts and culture, define talking points, and host an annual “State of the Arts” event to establish and share key messages.

This initiative will also train and mobilize arts and culture ambassadors to advocate for the arts with key decision-makers, in 1:1 meetings and public forums. We will train and recruit this network and mobilize it in ways that put arts on the agenda in spaces historically focused on tourism, economic development, and general quality of life.

Establish & Deepen Partnerships

Nothing happens without strong relationships. HouArts in Action will facilitate relationship- building among arts and culture ambassadors and key constituencies, including philanthropists, educational institutions and the business community.

There is an incredible network of existing supporters and partners for arts and culture, and formalizing and maintaining those relationships is essential. In addition, there is an opportunity to establish new partnerships with developers and neighborhood groups around our focus on vibrant spaces.

Five Y ear Plan

Plan Year 1 May 2025 - April 2026

Protect What We Have
- Representation within Houston Mayor’s Office
- Focus on function and eligibility of current Harris County funding streams
- Secure local funding within Houston: city HOT Funding Renewal for 2027 contract
Lay the Groundwork
- Hold conversations to identify opportunity windows in Vibrant Spaces area, including ground-level activations and live-work spaces.
- Leverage workforce resources and training opportunities in the creative economy to improve eligibility and relevance for future major art activations.
- Distribute information on evolving policy and regulations and existing grant and commercial opportunities.
Change the Narrative
- Launch and select a communication and branding firm to launch campaign to impact the public conversation.
- Capture and distribute short videos to reinforce advocacy message.

Plan Year 2 May 2026 - April 2027

Protect What We Have:
- Funding Streams: HOT Funding Renewal, Civic Arts Ordinance
- Solidify new partnerships and relationships with educational institutions and business partners.
Lay the Groundwork
- Advance promising opportunities around vibrant spaces and the built environment
- Explore opportunities to expand eligibility and amount of County funding
- Partner with VisitHouston on specific citywide opportunities
Change the Narrative
- Package and highlight the stories that make Houston’s arts and culture scene unique and diverse.

Plan Year 3 May 2027 - April 2028

Lay the Groundwork
- Determine path forward for permanent allocation for arts and culture.
Improve Connectivity
- Facilitate the easy activation of public spaces and facilities.
- Advocate for improved local artists participation and integration into activations for conventions and special events.
Change the Narrative
- Fundraise for and launch sub-grants for documentary and arts writing
- Execute against branding campaign

Plan Years 4 & 5 May 2028 +

Fund the Future
- Execute against plan to deliver permanent allocation for arts and culture.
Build on Successes
- Analyze areas of significant progress across the agenda; replicate approach into new areas.
- Deepen existing partnerships and develop new partnerships to secure wins to date and create new opportunities into the future.