MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AWARDS $84,000 TO PROJECTS PROMOTING TOURISM AND RESILIENCE

ByStyleMagazine.com - Newswire

The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) announced it is awarding $84,000 in grants to 8 individuals and nonprofit organizations whose work furthers cultural tourism and resilience in the city.

The funds were awarded through City’s Initiative, a competitive grant program that is administered by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) and funded by a portion of the city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax.

The program opens four times a year and offers grants in three categories: neighborhood cultural destinations, conference tourism, and resilience awareness. In addition to these funding categories, MOCA awards a small number of special community initiatives each year.

“These eight projects illustrate the importance of neighborhood identity in our city,” says Mayor Sylvester Turner. “These projects celebrate the neighborhoods they happen in, add to their identities, and together highlight our goal of expanding cultural offerings throughout the City.”

Adam Castaneda: "Reviving Churches" is a multidisciplinary, com- munity-based activation that addresses the broken windows theory in a holistic, creative manner. Local choreographer Adam Castaneda will activate an abandoned Church's Chicken location in the Near Northside neighborhood at 2700 Fulton Street in partnership with the Greater Northside Management District. Over the course of three weeks, this abandoned complex will be transformed into a vibrant public art installation that will culminate in a community gathering that consists of student essay readings, dance performances, live music, and temporary art. This grant was awarded under the Neighborhood Cultural Des- tinations category.

Andrea Venson: “Elevated Intersections” is a painting exhibition featuring Andrea Venson and Jatziri Barron that captures a series of monthly events in Fifth Ward Houston. There will be a Mindful Painting session led by Andrea, a Salsa night led by Texas Salsa Congress, a Hip-Hop dance night led by Sun’Kissd Dance Concepts, and two outdoor yoga sessions led by Nicole Peralta and Jotina Buck. The final art exhibition will open at the DeLuxe Theater on September 23, 2023 and will feature dance performances by Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective and Itzcoatl Tez- katlipoka. This grant was awarded under the Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.

Ars Lyrica Houston: Ars Lyrica Houston presents "Maria’s Magical Music Adventure," an interactive musical story time, at three key community venues in spring 2023. Maria’s Magical Music Adventure follows a young girl named Maria and Matthew the Musical Magician as they travel through time to meet Antonio Vivaldi, who has just written The Four Seasons. Musical accompaniment features The Four Seasons, along with original music arranged for string quartet and narration in English and Spanish. Maria’s Magical Music Adventure, presented at Rothko Chapel for Menil Neighborhood Day, Heights Kids’ Day of Music, and Discovery Green, is a magical music adventure for the whole family. This grant was awarded under the Neighborhood Cultural Destinations category.

Read more at StyleMagazine.com he Texas Education Agency will host a series of community meetings to provide information regarding the board of managers pro-

Community members are invited to come and learn more and ask questions about the process.

Community Information Ses-