Mayor's Press Release
The City of Houston Awards $100,000 to Projects Promoting Arts Tourism and Disaster Resilience
October 2, 2024 -- The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) is awarding $130,833 in grants to seven individuals and nonprofit organizations whose work furthers cultural tourism and resilience throughout the city of Houston. The funds were awarded through City’s Initiative, a competitive grant program administered by Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) and funded by a portion of the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax. The City’s Initiative application period is open three times annually and grant funding falls into three categories: Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations, Art + Disaster Resilience Awareness, and Art + Conference Tourism. In addition to grants in these funding categories, MOCA awards a small number of special community initiatives each year.
“Our City blooms with a wide range of arts experiences available every day and reminds each of us of the value of art and artists in the success of Houston.”
Necole S. Irvin, City of Houston MOCA director.
Credit: Performing Arts Houston, Theatre of Harlem Master Class, Melissa Taylor
The grantees for the second round of City’s Initiative 2024 are:
Friends of River Oaks Theatre
Friends of River Oaks is proud to announce the final-cut screening of Cinema Revival at the 2025 Houston Media Conference, set to take place in August 2025 at the newly reopened River Oaks Theatre (exact dates to be confirmed). This exciting event marks a significant milestone in collaboration with the Houston Media Conference. This grant was awarded in the Art + Conference Tourism category.
HOPERA
HOPERA will premiere the contemporary chamber opera, As One, in collaboration with the Montrose Center. With music by Laura Kaminsky and a libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed, As One follows the poignant journey of Hannah, a transgender woman on a path of self-discovery and realization. The performance will take place on November 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the Eureka Heights Brewery and again on November 20, 2024, at the Montrose Center in observance of International Transgender Day of Remembrance. This grant was awarded in the Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative
HILSC, in partnership with National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) aims to uplift this region's culture and character at the National Immigrant Inclusion Conference (NIIC) held at Hilton Americas - Houston from December 8 to 10, 2024. By showcasing grassroots artists and featuring a first-time on-site art installation with visual and multimedia artworks by artists from diverse immigrant and refugee communities in Houston and Texas, the conference’s artistic components will amplify a sense of belonging, interconnectedness, and community power. This will help immigrant justice advocates at NIIC absorb the 2024 election outcomes, understand its impacts, and assess the future landscape. This grant was awarded in the Art + Conference Tourism category.
Performing Arts Houston
Performing Arts Houston is collaborating with Solange Knowles and her artist collective Saint Heron to present a week-long multidisciplinary series entitled "Eldorado Ballroom" in Houston in January 2025. First premiered by the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2023, the series includes three mainstage performances featuring multiple artists, film screenings, community celebrations, and learning events. The first two performances will be presented at Jones Hall, with the culminating performance presented in the Third Ward at the Eldorado Ballroom. Ms. Knowles curates each performance and focuses on a specific musical genre or artistic territory. This grant was awarded in the Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.
Shabach Enterprise
The Fade to Black Arts Festival, which has been in preproduction development for the past two years, will celebrate African American art forms in film, music, poetry, and theatre throughout Downtown Houston from June 8-14, 2025. Over 20 prestigious arts and education organizations will contribute their unique performing arts event or venue, showcasing unified support for underrepresented African American artists within Houston's Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District. The festival will feature seven days of cultural arts entertainment, community events, and educational and career opportunities for artists of all ages, gender identities, and cultural backgrounds. This grant was awarded in the Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.
Stacey Summers
Brian, Mike, and Mrs. Chippy's Amazing Adventure is set to bring together children and families across neighborhoods this spring. This book is designed to inspire young minds, and the public events aim to encourage children to dream big and highlight the importance of true friendship.
Open to the public, presentations will take place at multiple venues, including the Children’s Museum of Houston.. Each event will begin with a literary reading of the book, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A featuring the author and the real-life figures behind the story. Panelists will share their experiences overcoming obstacles and setbacks to achieve their goals, offering a valuable message of perseverance, maintaining a positive mindset, and never giving up on one’s dreams. This grant was awarded in the Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.
WELEAD
The upcoming Nigerian Exhibit is an educational display designed to serve as a cultural blueprint, showcasing the richness and diversity of Nigerian art, traditions, and the accomplishments of prominent Nigerian figures in Houston. The exhibit will highlight their significant contributions to the city and foster a deeper appreciation for global cultural exchange.
One of the key features of the exhibit is an authentic installation of Nigerian masquerades representing key tribal groups, offering visitors a traditional experience of Nigerian heritage. This exhibition will celebrate Nigerian culture and serve as a valuable learning platform for underserved communities with limited access to international cultural experiences.
The Nigerian Exhibit will be on display at Houston City Hall from October 16, 2024, to January 3, 2025. This grant was awarded in the Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.
Credit: Hopera, Candid performer photo at the Hoppy Holidays Sing-Along
About the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs guides the City’s cultural investments with policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors and leverage private investment. Learn more at houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs and follow us on Facebook and on Instagram.
About Houston Arts Alliance
Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) is a local arts and culture organization whose principal work is to implement the City of Houston’s vision, values, and goals for its arts grantmaking and civic art investments. HAA’s work is conducted through contracts with the City of Houston, overseen by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. HAA also executes privately funded special projects to meet the needs of the arts community, such as disaster preparation, research on the state of the arts in Houston, and temporary public art projects that energize neighborhoods.
In short, HAA helps artists and nonprofits be bold, productive, and strong.
To learn more, visit HAA’s website, and follow us on Facebook and on Instagram.