bravo!

Houston artists, groups, and festivals land $13.3M grant from Mayor's office

Local artists will receive $13 million next year from the city.

Photo via Garden Theater

As Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner winds down his final term, one of his lasting legacy has just announced a major gift to local arts.

The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) will award more than $13 million in grants to some 72 individuals and 156 arts and culture nonprofit organizations, the agency announced. Specifically, $13,323,343 will go to individuals, organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects offering public exhibitions, presentations and performances in 2024, per press materials.

These awarded funds come from the Support for Organizations, Festival and Support for Artists and Creative Individuals grant programs, which support local arts and arts groups. Funds are raised by a portion of city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax and managed and administered each year by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA).

Qualifying for these grants is a lengthy process. Applications go through a two-step process are reviewed by HAA staff for objective eligibility. Then, eligible applications are scored by some 130 panelists, who are experts in the arts and vetted through the HAA Grants Committee of the Board of Directors. After scoring, the competition process is reviewed in full, voted on, then advanced to the Board of HAA for review and vote.

dance troupe The grants will aid local dance, arts, theater, music groups, and more.Photo courtesy of Theresa Chapman

Once Board review is complete, the results are sent to MOCA for the City’s and mayor’s approval. This year, Turner has approved a new BIPOC boost formula as part of the larger grants competitions’ formulas for funding artists, groups, and festivals. Turner has allocated an additional $800,000 to the grants programs to support the new formulas, according to press materials.

“We began implementing the City’s Arts & Cultural Plan at the beginning of my tenure and MOCA has dedicated itself to increasing access, transparency and equity to the City’s grants system over the last eight years,” Mayor Sylvester Turner noted in a statement. “That hard work was evident in the first equity indicators report where arts grants received a 96-equity score highlighting more opportunity across the city. As we continue to ensure that Houston’s diversity remains its strength, we must continue building an inclusive creative ecosystem where creatives and entities thrive. I am proud to have this as part of my legacy in serving Houston and its people.”

An artistic way to draw an end to his tenure, indeed.

let's open this house

Houston Theater District's free, family friendly event returns in March

Photo courtesy of Theater District Houston

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Houstonians looking for fun, free activities in March can take part in the ExxonMobil Theater District Open House on Monday, March 9 in downtown Houston from 11 am to 3:30 pm. Attendees can expect free performances, hands-on activities, and special promotions from a variety of arts groups.

Among the planned events are an enriching, interactive, family workshop with an Ailey Arts in Education Teaching Artist, hosted by Performing Arts Houston. The Houston Ballet II will perform excerpts from Sleeping Beauty and other ballets. DaCamera will perform jazz and chamber music in Lynn Wyatt Square and the Center for Dance. Theatre Under the Stars will host interactive musical theater workshops at the Hobby Center. The event concludes at 3 pm with a free concert by the Houston Symphony. A full listing of activities is on the event website.

“This event is a powerful reminder of Houston’s position as an international cultural destination and our shared pride in the arts,” said chair of the Houston Theater District Board of Directors Meg Booth. “The variety of theaters, performing arts organizations and cultural diversity is on display and completely free for guests of all ages to explore — whether that’s a backstage tour, a performance or a hands-on activity for kids.”

Venues like the Alley Theatre, Jones Hall, the Wortham Theater Center, and others will be open for attendees to explore and learn more about the arts presenters who perform there and what it takes to be on stage.

Food trucks will be available throughout the district and concessions are available for purchase at the Hobby Center, Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall, Lynn Wyatt Square, and Alley Theatre Skylight Lounge.

Parking is available at the Hobby Center, the Lyric Garage, and Theater District garages.

In 2025, the event resumed for the first time since 2019, drawing nearly 7,500 participants. Organizers are hoping for even more visitors this year.

“This event isn't just a part of Houston, it’s part of family histories, too,” said Houston Theater District executive director Craig Hauschildt. “Last year, we heard from parents who first attended in the ‘90s and were returning with their own kids. Every visit is an opportunity to continue that tradition.”

performing-arts family friendly