On Sept. 9, the Texas Commission on the Arts announced in a release that downtown Conroe has been designated as a cultural district, the Downtown Conroe Cultural District. According to the release, cultural districts are zones that have cultural resources to provide economic development and community vitality.

“We are pleased to highlight the wonderful work the Downtown Conroe Cultural District is already doing to attract visitors to their community and to enhance the quality of life in our great state,” said Gary Gibbs, executive director of the Texas Commission on the Arts, in the release.

According to previous reporting, the designation stretches from Madeley to Pacific streets and from Hicks to Cochran streets.

The downtown Conroe district is now one of 52 cultural districts in the state, according to the arts commission.

Conroe City Council previously voted May 26 to apply for state designation as a cultural district, according to previous reporting.


"This is a momentous day for Conroe’s cultural arts community. There will be many opportunities for funding cultural programs and facilities in the years to come promoting economic development and reinforcing the fact that Conroe is a first-class community, second to none,” Council Member Marsha Porter said in a Sept. 9 release from the city of Conroe.

The designation allows the city to use resources to stimulate economic development in the arts, which helps attract artists to the city, preserve historic buildings and establish tourism destinations, according to previous reporting.

“Congratulations to all involved. The city could not be more pleased and thankful for the support and recognition from the Texas Commission on the Arts,” Mayor Jody Czajkoski said during a Sept. 8 City Council meeting.

According to the release by the city, representatives from the Texas Commission on the Arts will be presenting a proclamation to the city in the future; an event is being scheduled for October.


Additional recognition

The Texas Commission on the Arts also announced funding for 943 grants in the first funding round for fiscal year 2022-23, according to the Sept. 9 release. The grants total over $11.6 million and will go toward nonprofits and governmental units in 120 cities, according to the release.

Local groups that received funding include the Conroe Art League, Conroe Symphony Orchestra and Players Theater Co., according to the arts commission.