What happened
City Council voted June 5 to establish the Govalle Cultural District along Springdale Road in the Govalle neighborhood. The designation now covers five properties home to institutions like the Museum of Human Achievement, the Canopy Austin creative community, the Springdale Station venue, a Bouldering Project gym, Austin ISD's Govalle Elementary School campus, and other local arts and business fixtures.
“The whole area, it’s just a deep well of beauty and cultural distinction," council member José Velásquez, who represents the Govalle area, said in an interview.
Zooming in
The cultural update was supported by dozens of individuals and groups in the area. Zac Traeger, executive director of the Museum of Human Achievement, said stakeholders endorsed the plan that came together after multiple community meetings were held this year to review local needs, goals and history.
"The recognition of the Govalle Cultural District and the rich cultural heritage of the neighborhood will help celebrate and preserve a long-standing hub for co-creation and community in East Austin," Traeger said in a statement. "To insist on the importance of all our neighbors having access to artful lives and creativity is of the utmost importance in the context of local and national change. We believe that placing artists, educators and history at the table in all conversations is vital to recognizing the past and sustaining healthy and vibrant communities."
The Govalle district was proposed and created under a new city framework approved by city officials last year to foster local economic and cultural zones. So far, Austin's other cultural districts include:
- The east side's Six Square African American heritage district
- The Red River Cultural District downtown
- The 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor
That new framework is meant to support cultural heritage including creative and historic spaces. That policy calls for districts to have defined goals, receive local support and set a strategic plan—all of which were reported by the Govalle team this year. Carlos Soto, a spokesperson for the city's Economic Development Department, said the new district self-organized and isn't seeking any city funds at this time.
“It was a cultural district before we gave them a designation. It’s important that we formalize that, but also that they know that the city has their back. And with that formalization, they feel more inclined to go out for some of these grants and for us to be able to go get their back a little bit better," Velásquez said.
The future
With the local update now official, Traeger said the next step will be securing a state cultural designation under the Texas Commission on the Arts. If approved, the Govalle area would join the Six Square and Red River districts as both locally- and state-recognized zones.
According to the Govalle implementation plan, district members will now get to work on projects like fully mapping the area and assets, seeking a school grant, and planning new public art and sustainability features. Longer-term goals include securing affordable leases for local artists and businesses, publishing new cultural materials about the area, and holding large community events.
"Seeing the Govalle Cultural District officially recognized by the city of Austin means more than I can express. To see this place and the artists, families, and generations of stories that built it, finally honored is deeply moving," said Govalle native Faiza Kracheni, executive director of the Motion Media Arts Center and a Govalle Elementary alumna. "It gives me so much hope for what this recognition can inspire, especially for kids like me growing up in East Austin, for the families and for all those who continue to pour into this community."
