6 Exciting Texas Art Organizations

Edited by Ezvid Wiki Editorial on 26 March 2020

You don't have to move to Paris to be inspired by beautiful works of art. Those interested in seeing dynamic exhibitions or exploring their own creativity have many fantastic resources right in Texas. These organizations work to foster an appreciation for art while encouraging locals to get involved through residencies and educational initiatives. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

6 Great Art Organizations in Texas

Name Headquarters Focus
Project Row Houses Houston Engages artists, businesses, policymakers, and people from local neighborhoods to positively transform communities, offering studio space, fellowships, tutoring, small business incubation, and a residential program for single mothers
Writers' League of Texas Austin Resources for writers in the state including classes, panel discussions, a yearly retreat and conference, contests, and Texas Writes, which brings accomplished authors to rural libraries
Houston Cinema Arts Society Houston Hosts the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, CineSpace, and other events, showcasing films and encouraging participation by local filmmakers
Galveston Artist Residency Galveston Supports three artists each year by offering a gift of time and space for the development of their work, and produces events such as exhibitions, film series, guest lectures, and performances
Art League Houston Houston Highlights important creators by displaying art not just at its gallery, but also public installations in the community, and holds studio classes in a variety of forms along with the Healing Art program
Houston Center for Photography Houston Promotes the art of photography through free galleries, more than 300 yearly classes and workshops, and community programs like Girls' Own Stories

10 Years of the Houston Cinema Arts Festival

Notable Artists from Texas

Why Art Is Important

In Depth

As the second most populous state in the country, Texas is filled with all manner of attractions, from museums to performance halls and unique parks. Thanks to such a vibrant cultural scene, it's a place not lacking in opportunities for art appreciation and creativity. The groups included here attest to this, offering programs, classes, and exhibitions that engage communities in aesthetic experiences that are both stimulating and enlightening. In no particular order, here are six exciting art organizations spreading the creative spirit throughout the Lone Star State.

For #1 we have Project Row Houses. Situated in Houston's Historic Third Ward, PRH is a community-based nonprofit that uses art and African-American culture as catalysts for emboldening the area and its residents. Encompassing five city blocks, the organization's thirty-nine structures serve as hubs for enriching art programs, social initiatives, and activities focused on civic development. By engaging artists, small businesses, and people from under-resourced neighborhoods, PRH spurs collaboration and creative action to positively transform Houston communities.

Central to PRH's efforts is its Public Art Program, which supplies creators with sundry opportunities to experiment, collaborate, and explore their practices outside of the studio. During a biannual event, visiting artists can display their work in seven row houses open to the public. The organization also offers affordable studio space and residencies, as well as a fellowship program that gives creators chances to work with educators, urban planners, and policymakers. Other important offerings include free tutoring and an initiative that supports young single mothers. Send a donation through the group's site to keep the Third Ward and its residents thriving.

During a biannual event, visiting artists can display their work in seven row houses open to the public.

Showing up at #2 is the Writers' League of Texas, which is dedicated to supporting, uplifting, and promoting the state's literary community and culture. It carries out this mission through a host of services and programs including classes, panels, workshops, and statewide outreach initiatives. Fostering an inclusive, productive support network focused on both the craft and business of writing, WLT aims to be a vital personal and professional resource for authors at all levels of their careers.

Covering a range of topics such as story structure, character development, and publishing, WLT's myriad classes and workshops help writers nurture their craft and learn valuable industry information. Also providing enriching opportunities are a summer retreat, an annual conference for agents and editors, and monthly discussions with distinguished panelists. The group further spreads literary appreciation through its Project WISE and Texas Writes efforts, which bring established authors into public schools and rural libraries, respectively. Make an impact and become part of a great community by joining as a member at your chosen level.

For #3 we get the Houston Cinema Arts Society. Started with the goal of stimulating the city's cinematic culture, H.C.A.S. offers a variety of year-round programming that presents films and other media to the public, perpetuates the creative process, and invigorates local communities. The cornerstone of the society is the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, a five-day event involving screenings of fiction and documentary films, live performances, panel discussions, workshops, and more. In collaboration with NASA, the festival also includes the CineSpace competition, which solicits short works that use footage from NASA's archives.

In collaboration with NASA, the festival also includes the CineSpace competition, which solicits short works that use footage from NASA's archives.

Helping young people strengthen their media literacy and broaden their artistic horizons, H.C.A.S.'s field trip program gives students the ability to attend select festival screenings for free. After the films, they are able to participate in constructive discussion sessions with visiting artists. In addition to the festival, the society organizes community initiatives such as educational outreach at high schools, college internship programs, an outdoor summertime performance for families, and screenings at local breweries. To assist H.C.A.S. and its efforts, apply online to become a volunteer.

At #4 is Galveston Artist Residency. Housed in two renovated industrial structures on the border of the city's downtown, GAR works to facilitate visual art appreciation by offering studio space and a stipend to three artists each year. Its program accepts both burgeoning and seasoned creators who practice in any medium, and supplies them with ample time, space, and accommodations to develop their work.

Beyond its core residency program, GAR presents a number of events including solo and group artist exhibitions, film series, guest lectures, and performances. Its gallery and courtyard spaces play host to everything from open studios to concerts and experimental installation events, as well as stimulating sessions conducted in partnership with regional organizations. Help fund the group's artists-in-residence program and its other activities by mailing a check to its address.

Help fund the group's artists-in-residence program and its other activities by mailing a check to its address.

For #5 we come to Art League Houston, one of the city's oldest art nonprofits. The organization is committed to bringing the community together through a diversity of dynamic experiences that spark creativity, aesthetic appreciation, and discourse around contemporary visual art. Expanding beyond the traditional league model, it promotes progressive approaches to education, curation, programming, and civic engagement, providing a plethora of opportunities for members of the community to learn about and participate in the creative process.

A major part of ALH is its Visual Arts Program, which presents the work of socially-conscious creators from around the world. It encompasses a yearly exhibitions series, public sculptures, an artist convening, and a temporary installation project that enlivens Houston's public areas. Another significant resource is the Art League School, which offers studio classes and workshops to nurture local creators. Important community initiatives include school residencies and a healing project that supports people living with diseases. Make a contribution to the Gertrude Barnstone Scholarship Fund to keep ALH's summer studio program free for teens.

Finally, arriving at #6 is Houston Center for Photography. Through exhibitions, educational programs, events, and publications, HCP strives to bolster appreciation of photography and raise awareness of the integral role it plays in our contemporary world. Vital to enacting this mission are the organization's more than 300 yearly classes and workshops, as well as galleries that are free and open to the public. Also critical are its community outreach programs, which bring learning and art-making sessions to places such as medical centers, schools, and parks.

Vital to enacting this mission are the organization's more than 300 yearly classes and workshops, as well as galleries that are free and open to the public.

Many of HCP's operations revolve around its Learning Center, which boasts such valuable facilities as a digital darkroom, a professional lighting studio, and a library that houses thousands of books, journals, and monographs related to the photographic arts. Courses and workshops are held both at the Center and off-site, and offer opportunities for artists of all ages and skill levels. Community programs include Girls' Own Stories, which teaches girls how to use media to explore their lives, and Flash Drive, a giant, mobile camera obscura that visits schools and community centers. Get involved with HCP by becoming a member, and get access to exclusive events.