Houston's art scene just got a nearly $100K boost, thanks to the City of Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA). Mayor Sylvester Turner has announced a whopping $99,750 grant allocation to 40 recipients through the Let Creativity Happen! grant program. "We launched this grant program in 2018 and the hundreds of bold bodies of work have brought joy to many," the Mayor told reporters, according to the City of Houston press release. By betting on big, bold ideas, the city's Hotel Occupancy Tax is being put to good use, challenging local artists to think outside the box.

Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) handles the nitty-gritty of administering the cash, encouraging applicants to risk it for the artistic biscuit. This year's lucky lot ranges from an all-female mariachi group, a diverse arts festival, and even a solo theatrical performance about the complexities of interracial adoption. The funds are evidently hitting every corner of the creative spectrum: from nose-twitching 'Abstract Scents' art shows to socially-conscious dance performances and even an eco-friendly jazz concert.

Notable among the awardees is Carlos Gonzalez, a Cuban singer-songwriter who's gearing up to record an EP that's a hat tip to the Houston arts scene. “This project is a tribute to the Houston arts scene that has significantly contributed to my growth as both an artist and an immigrant," Gonzalez said in a statement on the press release. Then there's Chamond Brooks, who's crafting a workshop to enhance self-esteem, focusing on the beauty within our imperfections—talk about something Houston can walk tall about.

It's no secret that MOCA's throwing cash at a wide variety of happenings. Badie Khaleghian, for one, is putting the 'tech' in technique with an immersive performance that includes brain-computer-interface research. And for all the fashion fiends out there, Jordan Carter's Millennial Merch Fashion Show, taking place at the new 713 Music Hall, promises to be a deep dive into the designer's Southern roots.