drawing support

Houston grants $11.5 million to local artists, performers, and organizations for a creative boost in 2023

Asia Society Texas Center presents Night Market

Organizations such as the popular Asia Society Texas receive funds from the grant.

Photo courtesy of Asia Society Texas Center

Houston artists and arts organizations have received a big boost from the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) — in the form of $11.5 million in grants.

These grants will help 57 individuals, 131 arts and culture nonprofit organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects and will help fund public exhibitions, presentations, and performances in 2023, according to a city announcement.

Monies come from the Support for Organizations, Festival, and Support for Artists and Creative Individuals grant programs. Those grants provide funding that allows individuals and cultural organizations to present a diverse array of programming and performances, artistic works and compositions, and events and festivals.

These grants are funded in part by the city's hotel occupancy tax and are managed through the local arts nonprofit Houston Arts Alliance.

“This massive investment into the arts sector highlights how important the arts are to the City of Houston,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner in a press release announcing the awards. “The arts help shape our city’s identity and we foster the creativity of our residents for the benefit of every Houstonian. I want this support for the arts to be a part of my legacy as Houston’s mayor.”

As for the lucky recipients: The individuals receiving grants are artists, dancers and composers, and organizations such as museums, theaters, cultural centers and more.

A full list of recipients is available online. Individuals and organizations who are interested in the grants must apply for the funds via a competitive two-step process.

arts-culture

taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.