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The City of Houston is investing in its vibrant creative community with a fresh round of funding from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA). Ten individuals and nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $100,000 in grants, recognizing their efforts to boost cultural tourism and resilience throughout Houston.

These grants were awarded through the City’s Initiative, a competitive program managed by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA). The funds come from the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax, specifically designated to support the arts.

HAA plays a central role in realizing the City of Houston’s vision for arts and culture. Through contracts with MOCA, HAA facilitates grantmaking and civic art investments, while also managing privately funded projects aimed at addressing key needs of the creative sector, such as disaster preparedness and temporary public art installations that revitalize neighborhoods.

The City’s Initiative, which opens for applications three times a year, offers grants in three categories: Art + Neighborhood Cultural Destinations, Art + Disaster Resilience Awareness, and Art + Conference Tourism. Each grant serves as a vehicle for fostering the city’s creative economy and strengthening community connections through the arts.

“We’re committed to supporting Houston’s artists and cultural organizations as they bring world-class art to neighborhoods across the city, benefiting not just our communities but also our local economy,” said Necole S. Irvin, Director of MOCA.

MOCA, through its policies and initiatives, continues to expand access to arts and cultural programs in Houston, helping to attract visitors and generate private investment. For more information, visit houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs and stay connected on social media.

Grantees of the first round of City’s Initiative 2024 are:

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

DACAMERA

Dance Afrikana

Group Acorde

Lance Flowers

Norma Jo Thomas

One Sample Cultural Foundation

SoulSista Art Foundation

The Pilot Dance Project

University of Houston Foundation

To learn more visit  houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs or HAA’s website, and follow them on Facebook and on Instagram.