Dear Houston Arts & Cultural Community,
As this year comes to a close, I want to begin with gratitude.
Stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer at the start of 2025, I have been humbled by the opportunity to work alongside the extraordinary staff, board members, artists, donors, partners, and supporters who make Houston Arts Alliance what it is. This year has been one of learning, listening, and deep appreciation for the care, trust, and collaboration that sustain our shared work.
At HAA, our efforts this year were guided by a simple but powerful question: How do we create the conditions for artists, organizations, and communities to thrive together?
That question shaped everything we did.
HAA continued to serve as a trusted steward of public resources across both our Grants and Civic Art divisions. As the City of Houston’s partner in administering its annual arts grantmaking process, we awarded 443 City-funded grants, directing $16.4 million back into Houston’s creative ecosystem. Our Civic Art division advanced this stewardship through major airport commissions with United and Southwest Airlines, new murals in Gulfton and Sharpstown with Harris County Precinct 4, and work on a memorial honoring the late Council Member Larry V. Green. We also facilitated the installation of 27 artworks by Houston-area artists across IAH and Hobby Airport, completed conservation on 11 artworks, and conducted a comprehensive appraisal and condition assessment of the City’s civic art collection.
This year also brought intentional leadership growth to the organization. We welcomed Quang Vu as Director of Grants, strengthening our capacity to steward resources with continued care and integrity. Grace Zuñiga was promoted to Chief Programming Officer, recognizing her visionary leadership and commitment to community-centered programming. Allison Killen was promoted to Director of Civic Art, advancing her thoughtful stewardship of Houston’s public art ecosystem. These leaders, and the teams guiding this work, reflect HAA’s belief that strong systems start with strong people.
In January, HAA partnered on Artists for Understanding, a national arts dialogue convened in Houston in coordination with the White House, the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Hosting this conversation locally affirmed the role of arts and humanities as vital tools for bridging divides, fostering empathy, and strengthening community understanding and reinforced a core belief of our work: Houston belongs in national conversations about cultural leadership, equity, and the power of the arts to cultivate connection.
A commitment to presence and relationship carried into the rest of the year. In the spring and summer, we grounded ourselves in creative practice through studio visits with artists including Vincent Valdez, Robert Hodge, and Gerardo Rosales. In July, this relational approach expanded through Beyond the Mixer with Oqupi Houston, bringing artists, funders, organizers, civic leaders, and policymakers together to think across sectors. By September, it shaped our Annual Meet & Greet at the Eldorado Ballroom, which welcomed nearly 150 attendees and introduced a conversation-centered format, including a fireside dialogue on HAA’s long-term vision. This arc culminated in October with the first Greater Houston Arts Forum, co-developed with Houston Endowment, the Hobby Center, and Hou Arts. The gathering celebrated, uplifted, and informed the broader arts and cultural ecosystem about the work happening across the sector, while aligning the community around shared goals and reinforcing that Houston’s cultural infrastructure is strongest when built collaboratively.
That same energy came to life at Luminescence, HAA’s annual fundraising gala, where we celebrated the power of Houston’s creative community with an evening of extraordinary artists, generous partners, and inspiring supporters. The enthusiasm and momentum of the night reaffirmed the deep belief in HAA’s mission and the vital role the arts play in our city’s future.
As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude and anticipation. In 2026, Houston Arts Alliance will celebrate 20 years of service, a milestone that invites both reflection and bold vision. As we enter this next chapter, we are strengthened by new partnerships with the Mayor and the City of Houston, as well as our continued one-on-one dialogue with artists, cultural leaders, and community stakeholders across the city. We have so much in store and cannot wait to share what’s ahead and celebrate alongside you.
Before closing, I want to offer a final word of thanks.
To the HAA staff: your dedication, care, and belief in this work sustain the organization every day.
To our board leadership: thank you for your guidance, stewardship, and trust.
To the City of Houston, donors, funders, and partners: your investment makes this work possible and meaningful.
To the artists, organizations, and cultural workers who inspire and challenge us: this organization exists because of your creativity and valor.
And to the Houston arts and cultural community: thank you for collaborating with us, holding us accountable, and reminding us why this work matters.
We do this work for you and with you. I am deeply grateful for the year behind us and energized by the future we are building together.
With appreciation and hope,
Taylor Jackson
Chief Executive Officer
Houston Arts Alliance
