Houston City Council Arts and Culture Committee Meeting - July 8, 2026

Chair Dr. Caroline Shabazz called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM in City Hall Council Chamber. Presentations covered the recently passed HOT contract, the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund (now Houston in Color), the effort to save the Garden Oaks Theater, and a World Cup–sponsored community mural. Public comments addressed transit access, community theater, poetry, and arts storytelling. The meeting adjourned at 3:27 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Don Isaac (self-identified resident) urged that once the Garden Oaks Theater is renovated, Metro bus routes (27 and 36) and stops be publicized to ensure transit access. He also called for a campaign promoting basic manners and respect as foundational to a healthy arts community.
• Catherine Noser (Company OnStage, community theater since 1978) invited attendees to upcoming productions including Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (July 23–25) and the season announcement event A Taste of the Season (August 1st, featuring Michelin-star chef judges). She noted the 49th season includes a world premiere by a local playwright and numerous female and playwrights of color, and that Library Days provide free youth performances.
• Reyes Amidas (Houston Poet Laureate until April 2027) reported completing eight workshops and now starting a final project: a virtual anthology of contemporary Houston poets, with hopes to publish a print edition in collaboration with Hub City Press. He also highlighted his weekly Instagram curation of 10+ poetry events.
• Shay Davis (cultural strategist and storyteller for BIPOC Arts Network/Houston in Color) described the storyteller program’s role in building ecosystems, recording the histories and needs of cultural treasures, and helping artists step out of silos.

Discussion Items

• Director Michelle Liao (Mayor’s Office of Arts) updated that the HOT contract (2027–) passed unanimously a few weeks ago, reaffirming the city’s commitment to the arts. She noted the arts ecosystem supports over 13,000 jobs and returns $28 for every $1 invested. Annual HAA grant applications close July 24; a second cycle (Let Creativity Happen/Cities Initiative) opens August 28. She also highlighted the Houston Parks Board open call for two site-specific works at McGregor Park (closes July 28) and recent successes: record attendance and longest fireworks show at the July 4th Freedom over Texas event, and a well-attended Make Music Day.
• Sixto Wagon (Executive Director, BIPOC Arts Network and Fund / now Houston in Color) presented the five-year evolution from a crisis response to a national model. Key statistics: $10 million invested in 200+ organizations and individual artists; $1 million awarded to 50 artists; $5 million invested in 11 “Houston Cultural Treasures”; 16 smaller organizations supported through the Cultural Treasures Accelerator; over $250,000 awarded to 26 student impact projects. He explained the concept of “Dream Capital” – flexible, trust-based funding that allows communities to move from survival to self-determination. He highlighted that Houston’s initiative is the only one of nine Ford Foundation–catalyzed regional initiatives that continues. A multi-year grant from Houston Endowment has been awarded, and further local/national foundation support is being sought. He requested continued investment and relationship brokering by the Council to reduce barriers for BIPOC-led organizations.
• Maureen McNamara (Director, Art House Houston) reported on the effort to purchase and redevelop the historic Garden Oaks Theater (designed by the same architect as River Oaks Theater) as a cultural arts and film center. The 2.3-acre property includes four buildings and 192 parking spaces. A demolition permit is active; the seller (a strip-center developer) has extended the contract multiple times, but the mandatory closing date is July 30. A $2 million equity payment is needed by that date (plus $2 million for restoration/renovation). Pledges currently total $1.3 million. Partners include Performing Arts Houston, Houston Cinema Arts Society, Houston Area Producers, and others. Wes Anderson will host a benefit event next week to raise funds. Preservation Houston is assisting with historic tax credit qualification. The capital campaign is estimated at $14 million. McNamara noted the owner is a “businessman” who is willing to sell at his purchase price but has not agreed to favorable seller financing terms.
• Bethiri (Artist, World Cup Mural Project) presented the Eastern Gateway Mural in the East End. The 230-foot-by-20-foot mural, installed on polytap cloth panels, depicts nine teams that played in Houston and incorporates local elements (ship channel, metro rail). It was created with six apprentice artists from the East End. The design uses a “DNA ribbon” to connect players and includes a gold astronaut centerpiece (substituted for the FIFA trophy due to trademark restrictions). The project was funded through an HAA grant. Bethiri also created large banners at POST that will be given away at a closing event on July 15. She expressed pride in making Houston a host city for visiting fans.

Key Outcomes

• The HOT contract (2027–) had already passed unanimously, a fact noted with appreciation by Director Liao and Chair Shabazz.
• No formal votes were taken during this meeting. Presentations were informational.
• Chair Shabazz encouraged audience members to apply for the open HAA annual grant cycle (closing July 24) and the upcoming Let Creativity Happen cycle.
• Art House Houston must raise $2 million in equity by July 30 to close on the Garden Oaks Theater; the Wes Anderson benefit and additional donor outreach are critical next steps.
• The East End mural is complete and will remain for at least 10 years. The POST banners will be distributed July 15.
• Public comments and presentations will be distributed via Chair Shabazz’s office newsletter.
• The committee adjourned at 3:27 PM.