ABOUT US
Join the Community Conversations on Arts Education
OUR CHALLENGE
As of 2018, not all public school students in Houston have equal access to an arts-rich education.
OUR VISION
Arts Connect's vision is to realize the tremendous potential of every student by ensuring the arts as essential to a complete education, recognizing that when students prosper, our community thrives.
OUR MISSION
Arts Connect unites the Greater Houston community to ensure access to high-quality arts education in creative writing, dance, music, theater and the visual arts for every student, beginning with the Houston ISD.
We accomplish our mission though:
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Collecting Actionable Data
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Driving Advocacy
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Building Capacity
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Unlocking New Investments
Photo via AFA
OUR VALUES
Creative Thinking
Innovation, Expression, Engagement
We honor and nurture artistry- engaging, discovering, creating- as integral to human nature, a complete education, and the success of our collective work.
Inclusive Spirit
Diversity, Community
We respect and welcome diverse perspectives, ideas and cultures, and celebrate our differences as strengths to our work.
Open Access
Equity, Empathy, Fairness
We believe in breaking down barriers for equity of opportunity and access, and strive to create a community of shared learning for a healthy arts education ecosystem.
Responsive Action
Informed, Relevant
We listen deeply to understand the context of the communities we serve in order to affect change that reflects community needs and aspirations.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPALS
Student-Centered
We develop and implement collective strategies that benefit and support students.
Collective Decision-making
We maintain transparent and open communication across all stakeholder groups to determine shared strategies and goals to guarantee collective impact.
Stakeholder-led
We encourage cross-sector partners to drive and lead our work, recognizing that together we are greater than the sum of our parts.
Data Driven
We utilize coordinated systems of shared data to continuously learn, adapt, measure and improve our impact.
OUR PARTNERS
DISTRICT
Houston ISD
CITY OF HOUSTON
Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs
ARTS & CULTURE AGENCY
Houston Arts Alliance
STATE & NATIONAL PARTNERS
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Texas Cultural Trust
FUNDERS
Houston Endowment, Inc.
The Powell Foundation
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION
Greater Houston Community Foundation
ARTS PARTNERS
AFA
Alley Theatre
Aperio, Music of the Americas
Ars Lyrica
Art League Houston
Arte Publico Press
City ArtWorks
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Da Camera of Houston
The Ensemble Theatre
Express Children’s Theatre
FotoFest Inc.
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Houston Ballet
Houston Center for Photography
Houston Chamber Choir
Houston Children’s Chorus
Houston Grand Opera
Houston Symphony
Houston Youth Symphony
Main Street Theater
MECA
Mercury Chamber Orchestra
METdance
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Musiqa
Nameless Sound
Prelude Music Foundation
Society for the Performing Arts
Take the Stage
Texan French Alliance for the Arts
Theatre Under the Stars
Writers in the Schools