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HAA: How to Assist Houston's Struggling Arts & Culture Sector

Published May 05, 2020 by A.J. Mistretta

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Houston’s cultural arts organizations have been dealt a heavy blow by the coronavirus pandemic with millions in lost revenue and thousands now out of work. But as other local businesses begin to reopen, they may be able to help suffering arts institutions and independent artists survive the fallout. 

The local arts and culture sector, which includes everything from museums and performing arts groups to independent musicians and artists, contributes approximately $1.1 billion to the region’s economy, according to the Houston Arts Alliance. The arts and culture organization estimates the sector accounts for nearly 26,000 local jobs. 

But since mid-March HAA estimates the sector has lost $203 million in revenue and lost more than 5,600 jobs. Only 33% of individual artists polled in Harris County said they were confident they could meet their basic financial obligations in the month of May. 

Lauren Hainley, disaster services program manager at HAA, said the entire arts community has been impacted in some way by the current situation. Hainley gave a status update and offered ways Houston companies could help the cultural sector during the Partnership’s Arts, Culture, Tourism & Sports Council on May 5. 

HAA has reactivated a disaster services program it launched during Hurricane Harvey to assist artists. So far, the Greater Houston Area Arts Relief Fund has granted more than $150,000 to more than 400 artists in the area, with more than $100,000 additional funding still to be allocated. 

But while monetary donations are important, “the best way to help artists and arts organizations survive is to give them something to do,” said Hainley. 

Companies have recruited arts organizations to help make masks and other protective equipment for employees or create murals in the workplace. Hainley also encourages businesses to consider buying passes to museums or tickets to performances when they resume for their employees or customers. Another option is to sponsor livestream performances by local musicians or performing arts groups, which also helps generate publicity for the company. 

“Art can help tie people to place,” Hainley said. “We can use it to make workplaces better and help the artists who need that assistance right now.” 

Learn more about resources for local artists and cultural organizations at ready.haatx.com. Get details about how local businesses of all types can reopen safely and successfully here
 

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Brooksource: Brooksource is a business management consultant based in Houston, Texas that specializes in delivering Engineering and IT solutions and initiatives for Fortune 500 organizations. Website. Capital IDEA Houston, LLC: Capital IDEA Houston is a non-profit that fully funds education and training for adults who are unemployed or have lower-paying jobs, providing educational pathways to attain thriving careers and financial self-sufficiency. Website. Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center (CTMC): CTMC is a joint venture between National Resilience and MD Anderson Cancer Center located in the Texas Medical Center. CTMC unites robust biopharmaceutical manufacturing with access to MD Anderson Cancer Center’s leading research capabilities into groundbreaking medicines to cure cancer. Website. Complete Shipping Solutions Corp.: Complete Shipping Solutions is a global 3PL solutions provider, offering industry-leading technology through a SMARTT Shipping platform. Website. 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H-Town Dream Center: H-Town Dream Center is a community center in Splendora, Texas with a mission to give the hope, healing and freedom of Christ to the most vulnerable by feeding the hungry, rescuing women and children in crisis, and educating at-risk youth. Website. Magnum Staffing Services, Inc.: Magnum Staffing Services is a recruiting and staffing solutions firm based in Houston, Texas, specializing in workforce strategy, talent management, and providing staffing solutions for various industries, including warehouse distribution, logistics, manufacturing, and professional services. Website. Metro Houston Charter Bus: Metro Houston Charter Bus is a charter bus rental company providing flexible scheduling, trained drivers, and transparent pricing to make budgeting simple. Website. Minaret Foundation: Minaret Foundation is a multi-faith organization based in Houston, Texas focused on bringing faith communities together by tackling on issues related to child welfare and food insecurity. Website. Moelis & Co.: Moelis & Company is a global independent investment bank that provides financial advisory services to corporations, governments, and financial sponsors. Website. Mo'Kai'Ana Luxury Transport: Mo'Kai'Ana is a luxury chauffeur service for special events in Cypress, TX and the surrounding Houston Area, offering a variety of van services fully licensed by the city of Houston with background checked chauffeurs. Website. One Digital: OneDigital Impact Studio is an insurance brokerage, financial services, and HR consulting firm that provides a centralized platform that equips companies with real-time visibility and heightened control over their organization's total spending. Website. Palletized Trucking, Inc.: Palletized Trucking provides freight transportation services for domestic and international markets shipping through the Port of Houston to sectors including the petrochemical, construction, fabrication, energy, oilfield, and manufacturing industries. Website. Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play Tech Center is an American venture capital firm headquartered in Sunnyvale, California focusing on deploying capital to early-stage technology companies. Website. Rigid Global Buildings: Rigid Global Buildings is metal buildings manufacturer based in Houston, Texas, offering custom and pre-engineered metal building solutions. Website. Tricon Energy: Tricon Energy is a logistics service in Houston, Texas that offers chemical and plastics trading and distribution services in general and liquid chemical, aromatic, methanol, solvent, chlor alkali, and more. Website. Trinity River Authority: The Trinity River Authority of Texas is a conservation and reclamation district that provides water and wastewater treatment, along with recreation and reservoir facilities, within the nearly 18,000-square-mile Trinity River basin. Website. Venice: The Bridge Church is a nondenominational Christian church serving the Venice, FL, community with a mission to help people find and follow Jesus Christ here and around the world. Website.  Zoho: Zoho is an Indian multinational technology company that makes computer software and web-based business tools designed to help break down silos between departments and increase organizational efficiency. Website.   Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory.   To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership click here, or contact membership@houston.org.
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