Your Support Will…

Increase the resources available to the nonprofit arts sector.
Houston Arts Alliance directly serves over 200 arts and cultural organizations based in Houston and a community of artists exceeding 12,000. While our long-standing partnership with the City of Houston enables us to invest public funds in the nonprofit arts sector, the growth of the nonprofit arts has fast-outpaced the growth of the public fund revenues available. Private contributions are essential to ensure that Houston’s arts organizations can continue to offer exciting quality programs for citizens of all ages.

Support arts programs for youth.
The arts are a proven factor in enhancing learning and preparing our children for leadership in the workforce. Children involved in the arts earn higher test scores in general (including higher SAT scores) and are less likely to drop out of school. In Houston, more than 50 arts organizations dedicate significant resources to providing free and low-cost arts activities for children. There is no dedicated government funding to support these youth arts programs; private investment is essential to continue providing children with access to creative and cultural activities.

Foster the growth of the arts in Houston.
Through Houston Arts Alliance’s technical assistance services and grant programs, small and mid-size Houston arts organizations have access to the resources necessary to support their growth. The outcome of our work in this area is evident: when we began our work in 1977, we supported fewer than 40 arts groups – this year, our services and programs reached over 180 organizations. Investing in the growth of the nonprofit sector is essential to maintain Houston’s position as a center for creativity and artistic excellence.

Strengthen the visibility of Houston’s nonprofit arts sector.
Houston Arts Alliance promotional website, Artshound.com, will serve as a portal to the nonprofit arts sector – clicking through its doors opens a world of possibilities for the enjoyment of world-class, traditional and cutting-edge arts programs for people of all ages.

Contribute to the beautification of the city through the arts.
Our Civic Art + Design Program brings the creative energy of artists to public spaces. Civic art enhances a city’s image by improving the quality of the built environment and heightening the awareness of a community’s identity and cultural heritage.

Support arts education, community festivals and neighborhood arts activities.
Through Houston Arts Alliance’s Touring & Neighborhood Arts Program, people of all ages in Houston’s neighborhoods have access to workshops, classes and residencies that provide lifelong learning opportunities in the arts, while our neighborhood’s diverse cultures are celebrated in performances and festivals.

Enhance and develop new artistic projects.
No industry can be successful without investing in research and development – in a creative industry such as the nonprofit arts; individual artists are the source of the new ideas and projects. Houston Arts Alliance is the only Houston organization that invests directly in individual artists to support the development and realization of new artistic ideas and projects and maintain Houston’s reputation as a place for artistic innovation.

Enable our advocacy of public funding for the arts.
Houston Arts Alliance's leadership and advocacy for public funding for the arts secures the investment of over $8 million annually in City of Houston Hotel Occupancy Tax for the arts. This funding is critical to the operations of 180 arts organizations and serves to leverage over $300 million in private, corporate and foundation support. Retaining this source of public revenue and looking at ways for other governmental entities to support the arts is an important role of our agency.