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Emerging from plans developed primarily over the past decade by the region's civic groups, the Houston Framework is the result of the efforts of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals along with a large and diverse advisory group. What did we learn? When the Framework team, the advisory group, and the other participants in the process examined the past, present, and potential of civic art and design in Houston and Harris County, they were surprised by several things they found. One was how rich the area was in treasures and gathering places, although many of these were little known outside their immediate neighborhoods. Another was the stunning potential of the waterways that thread through the area and how significant these were to the history and sense of place of the region in general and to the identity and character of its various communities. Third was how many promising civic art and design projects had been suggested but never implemented. All who participated in the Framework felt strongly that the region needed an effective structure whose sole purpose was to initiate and facilitate such projects.
What will the Framework do?
The Houston Framework provides that structure. It is a catalyst. It gives Houston and Harris County a means to build upon the work and experience of thousands of individuals, hundreds of organizations, and scores of public and private entities who share an interest in improving Houston's environment and enhancing its identity. By focusing the community's values, ideals, ideas, and themes into a coherent civic art and design program, the Houston Framework supports the creative collaborations that will turn these aspirations into realities.
Yes, but specifically what will the Framework do?
The Houston Framework begins with the Action Agenda two-year effort involving promising project categories, programs, and policy initiatives. Each Action Agenda item is a partnership between the Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County and others who have a stake in the outcome of civic art and design ventures. Partnerships require consensus-building, increasing the likelihood that each Action Agenda undertaking will reflect local sensibilities and be meaningful to the people who live with it. By bringing multiple partners together for each project, program, and initiative, CACHH will leverage good will and valuable public resources.
A Multi-Purpose Tool
The Framework team generated dozens of maps illustrating the region's myriad features. A study of these first maps revealed five key themes of Houston's civic realm natural systems, infrastructure, neighborhoods, treasures and gathering places. Distilled from the many, the Houston Framework maps are a tool for individuals, neighborhood groups, public agencies, design firms, and developers to use in identifying and planning projects to improve the local environment. As a conceptual aid, the maps reveal the linkages among community assets and identify civic art and design opportunities. As a communication tool, the maps provide a common focus for discussions of the enhancement of Houston's identity. As an evaluation instrument, the maps allow proposals to be related easily to the qualities that make Houston and Harris County unique.
Priorities for Civic Art and Design
The Framework team identified the civic art and design project categories because of their potential for heightening the identity, improving the image, or increasing the accessibility of some of the most important urban environments in Houston and Harris County. The programs the team recommends will harness the talent, experience, and vitality of artists and designers to address the needs of public and private groups. The policy initiatives the team suggests are long-term strategies for integrating civic art and design into the region's ongoing development process.