Houston City Council approved a contract for the Houston Arts Alliance that authorizes up to $130 million in arts funding over the next five to seven years.
The HAA is the city's nonprofit arts partner, administering grants, overseeing public art projects and supporting artists and cultural organizations across Houston.
What happened
Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, chair of the Arts and Culture Committee, said the contract will benefit the arts community, especially in the years after the pandemic, when there were funding challenges for the arts. She also said it is the highest agreement made with the HAA.
“Houston’s arts are not extra; they are part of who we are,” Evans-Shabazz said. “They drive tourism, support jobs, strengthen our neighborhoods, tell our stories and help make Houston a world-class city.”
How it works
The contract allows the Houston Arts Alliance to continue administering grants and cultural programs on behalf of the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs.
The state allows cities to spend up to 19.3% of hotel occupancy tax revenues to support the arts, promote tourism and advance the convention and hotel industry.
Although $130 million is approved, the alliance does not have to spend the full amount, and it is dependent on how much of the hotel tax is brought in, city officials said.
One more thing
The contract will begin January 1, 2027.
