Houston's art scene just got a hefty dose of diversity, with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) showcasing a richer blend of cultures in their Civic Art Collection – a move that has locals and art aficionados alike tipping their hats to the city's commitment to represent its citizens from all walks of life. According to a recent announcement from the City of Houston, the MOCA's 2023 Equity Review threw a spotlight on the diverse new additions to the collection, underscoring the city's push to ensure that the breadth of its populace is mirrored on Houston's walls and in its public spaces.
Amidst the ongoing conversation around inclusivity, the Houston Civic Art Collection is stepping it up with its most recent unveil, featuring 815 pieces that stand as a testament to the city's rich cultural tapestry. Although the collection didn’t reach this colorful medley overnight, it sure is looking more inclusive now, with 471 artists finding recognition for their work this year, a definite nod to the diverse voices that make up the single most ethnically diverse major metropolitan area in the United States, as per the announcement of MOCA via the City of Houston media release.
Mayor Sylvester Turner, not one to shy away from a bit of self-applause, proudly hailed the augmented support for the arts in his city, crediting the surge of diversity to the diligent work of MOCA and its Civic Art Program. "A keystone of my administration has been the work City of Houston teams have done to improve our practices of inclusion, diversity, and recognition; another is increased support for the arts and cultural sector by City of Houston programs," Turner declared, showcasing the strides made since 2020, as mentioned on the City of Houston media release.
The report highlights a milestone victory for representation, giving props to artists who've long been on the margins, especially those identifying as Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx, and Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx and Female – groups that have traditionally been side-lined in such collections, the results of the review are calling for a standing ovation with six commission projects completed in FY23 that installed site-specific permanent artworks from eight BIPOC artists-a majority of whom identify as Women/Female, according to the same community announcement.
Quoting from MOCA's report, Director Necole S. Irvin remarked, "If there was any question about whether the collecting practices which influence the Civic Art Collection can change drastically to entreat greater diversity, this 2023 report shows that it’s possible." Spearheading these revolutionary efforts is Theresa Escobedo, the city's first Civic Art Program Manager, whose dedication to crafting policies for equitable art collection is drawing attention, both within and beyond Houston's city limits.
