The big picture
Official designations for Austin's Govalle Cultural District and 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor were approved by state arts commissioners Sept. 4.
There are now 57 TCA-recognized cultural districts across Texas, with four in Austin including the two new additions. The districts are meant to stimulate the economy through local business, tourism and civic activity centered around their cultural resources, according to the TCA.
Austin's Mexican-American heritage corridor, locally designated in 2011, runs from Republic Square in western downtown to the Plaza Saltillo area in East Austin. The Govalle district along Springdale Road on the east side was created earlier this year after a City Council vote in June. The two join the Red River Cultural District downtown and the Six Square African American Cultural Heritage District on the east side as Austin's only state-designated cultural areas.
In September, the TCA also announced dozens of awards to Austin nonprofits, schools and government entities totaling $1.88 million.
Zooming in
Downtown's Mexic-Arte Museum has partnered with the city and other entities on management of the Fifth Street corridor that's home to dozens of arts organizations, public art installations and venues.
"The area is surrounded by significant historic, cultural, heritage, and community sites that deserve preservation and active use. Cultural Heritage District Designation status highlights and benefits all cultural assets and businesses along 5th St. It further uplifts this rich downtown area into a beautiful and educational destination for tourists and the Austin community alike," the museum's website states.
The new Govalle district is based around institutions like The Museum of Human Achievement as well as the Canopy and 979 Springdale complexes housing a variety of theaters, studios and other organizations. While the area just earned civic and state designations this year, it was already home to hundreds of artists and dozens of businesses and nonprofits.
MOHA Executive Director Zac Traeger said the nonprofit museum, serving as the cultural district's official managing entity, aims to support artists and other cultural workers in the Govalle area.
"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," he 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.”
