The need for an organized arts presence in The Woodlands emerged as the region became more of a destination for those looking for culture and entertainment since the community's inception in 1974.

Fifteen years after the Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion opened as an outdoor music venue in 1990, The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival developed through a collaboration of the Pavilion, Visit The Woodlands and The Woodlands Development Company, said Jenny Carattini-Wright, executive director of The Woodlands Arts Council. The arts council itself is a nonprofit organization that developed because of the festival, she said.

"Once the festival started to make money, that's when we kind of jumped into our education outreach programs, and then that triggered the public art experience," she said. "... We've ... continued to grow and continue to have success with the arts festival in the community—really embracing us as a hometown event."

The inspiration

While the festival itself brings together about 200 artists from around the world, as well as local artists, the efforts it fuels have given back $1.4 million to the community in the form of arts scholarships and microgrant programs for teachers.


The scholarships are available to any high school students in Montgomery County, and the microgrants developed in 2020 as the council looked for a way to make an impact on the community amid the coronavirus pandemic. The grants are available to music teachers, art teachers and performing arts teachers.

The festival will reach its 20th anniversary in 2025, and the arts council is also planning a 50th anniversary program for The Woodlands this summer.

What's next

In addition to the annual festival, the arts council plans several other inaugural events this year to expand on the arts presence in The Woodlands as well as its continuing annual scholarship.
  • The first Young Makers Market at Market Street will take place Sept. 7, allowing students ages 8-18 to sell their original creations and learn about creativity, marketing and entrepreneurship.
  • The Texas Fine Craft Show will be held indoors at The Woodlands Resort on Nov. 1-3.
  • The Woodlands Arts Council Student Art Scholarship is awarded each year.
The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival this year takes place April 12-14.
  • April 12, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; April 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; April 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • $18 (general admission), $15 (student/military/senior), free (child 12 and under)
  • Town Green Park, 2099 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands
  • www.thewoodlandsartscouncil.org