City of Houston allocates $100,000 for tourism and resilience

The City of Houston has announced that the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) is allocating $100,000 in grants to support cultural tourism and resilience within the city. These grants were distributed as part of the City’s Initiative, a competitive program managed by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), and were funded by a portion of Houston's Hotel Occupancy Tax, according to a press release by the City of Houston.

"In addition to these funding categories, MOCA awards a small number of special community initiatives each year," stated the city of Houston.

The second round of the 2023 City's Initiative grants supports a diverse range of projects. Bharathi Kalai Manram will host the Indian Cultural Expo 2023, offering an inclusive experience of the Indian community's heritage. Community Artists' Collective, in collaboration with Southern Android Productions, presents the Vestiges Heritage Preservation Project, promoting heritage preservation and cultural production. DiverseWorks introduces Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet symbolizing compassion and human rights, according to a press release by the city of Houston. (Source)

“I am proud to see the diversity in awardees for the City’s Initiative,” says Mayor Sylvester Turner, according to a press release by the city of Houston. “This signature grant program of the city is especially close to my heart as it lifts up the core values I hold dear: equity, inclusion, and diversity. I congratulate all the grantees and wish them well on their projects.”

Jalen Baker will compose music inspired by "Houston Bound: Culture and Color in a Jim Crow City,". Luana Da Silva, founder of Batalá Houston, celebrates the group's 10th anniversary with Brazilian percussion workshops and dance performances. Monica Villarreal leads "Cultural Rhythms: Celebrating Unity Through Danza Azteca,". The Indo-American Association Houston's "Breaking Barriers" project encourages communities of color to connect through music. Nia's Daughters Movement Collective explores the impact of climate change in "Nature Around Us." The Pilot Dance Project presents "Aureate," reflecting on human resilience and engaging the Fifth Ward community. Lastly, RIVKAH FRENCH CHOREOGRAPHY offers "Limitless," celebrating human resilience with a focus on the 5th Ward community, according to a press release by the city of Houston.

These grants aim to support cultural tourism and resilience within the city, showcasing the diverse heritage and artistic expressions of Houston's communities.