About the Convening

The Greater Houston Arts Forum and the TFA Summit & Awards are two distinct events combined into a single day at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts — Houston’s regional arts forum joined with TFA’s biennial statewide Summit and Advocacy Awards Show.
 
This year’s Greater Houston Arts Forum + Texans for the Arts Summit & Awards takes place on October 12, 2026, Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We recognize the significance of the day and honor the Indigenous peoples whose cultures, creativity, and stewardship continue to shape our communities.
 
Throughout the event, we will be celebrating Indigenous artists, arts leaders, and cultural organizations by integrating performances in our programming and creating space to share stories.  
 
We are grateful for the opportunity to learn, listen, and amplify Indigenous voices as part of this year’s gathering.
 

Summit Resources

Download the companion materials for Summit sessions and continue the work after the convening.

Artist Advocacy — Sculpting Words to Tell Our Story

A hands-on workbook for finding, shaping, and sharing the stories behind your creative work.

Public Funding for Arts Organizations — Navigating Resources to Sustain Your Work

Greater Houston arts and culture workforce, nonprofit revenues, and economic contribution data from SMU DataArts and Houston Arts Alliance.

Artists in Greater Houston: Data for Advocacy

Fresh Arts and SMU DataArts findings on artist income, healthcare, creative space, and career sustainability.

Activate Your Data — Breakout Group Instructions and Template

Group discussion steps and an advocacy argument template for turning data into action.

Activate Your Data — Arts Education Deep Dive

Arts Connect Houston data on fine arts staffing and access across Houston ISD in the 2024–2025 school year.

Activate Your Data — Economic Data Packet (Draft)

Greater Houston arts and culture workforce, nonprofit revenues, and economic contribution data from SMU DataArts and Houston Arts Alliance.

Staying Nonpartisan — Permissible Election Activities Checklist

Nonprofit VOTE’s checklist of permissible nonpartisan voter and civic engagement activities for 501(c)(3) organizations.