Houstonist Was There: Mayoral Forum on the Arts

The participants in the forum were former city attorney Gene Locke, Air Force veteran and former Emergency Center Director Roy Morales, current City Controller Annise Parker, and architect and city council member Peter Brown.

The discussion began with an opening statement by Museum of Fine Arts director Peter Marzio, in which he stated that Houston is unique because the arts organizations cooperate with one another, which he feels is not the case in most other cities. Candidates then took turns answering a series of 12 questions and wrapped up with a few from the audience.

Gene Locke

Locke explained that he has a vision for Houston to become an international, first class city, and that goal will require an expansion of the arts. He hopes to pull the community together in a common goal of improving the quality of life in general in Houston, with the city's diversity being a consideration for any art funding from the city. Locke said that if elected he will make a commitment to have an arts component to every public project, and would support the Assistant of Cultural Affairs position in the mayor's office. He stressed that he would want a close working relationship with art organizations in the hopes of fostering more community art, outreach and education. That dialogue would include discussing the management of infrastructure projects in a way that is friendly to businesses and the arts. For example, Locke feels that we should use mass transit to transport people to the arts, and would like to see more public art associated with transit projects. While in favor of the Percent for Art ordinance, he would like to expand the base and exploit other opportunities as well.

Locke's most memorable art experience was when funding was secured to bring the Ensemble Theater online. He supports the expansion of a hispanic culture museum and would like to see a museum documenting the Houston music scene. His last art experience was an Ensemble Theater performance.

Roy Morales

Morales stayed on message, and didn't specifically mention the arts in his opening statements. However, he vowed to audit every city department and make a mandatory pay cut for himself and his executives to find money to spend as the voters see fit. He stated that art is an essential way to get revenue into the economy and to strengthen public education. For example, Morales has worked with after school programs in the arts to help graduation rates. He stated that he would like to continue the integration of small theater into after school programs and education. He supports the Assistant of Cultural Affairs position but would also like the opportunity to communicate directly with the arts community. Morales proposed providing museums and arts organizations regular status updates on public works projects in the hopes of alleviating some stress on the arts community. Currently Morales is a member on an EaDo project, but favors securing most of the funding from private donations.

Morales' most memorable arts experience was the Pompeii exhibit at MFAH. He had difficulty recalling his last art experience, but mentioned his attendance at an Ambassador's Gala in Pasadena.

Annise Parker

Parker opened by stating the number one issue facing the city is the economy, but that we need a mayor who will protect our quality of life through the economic recovery and will transform the city into a destination for arts and green energy. Parker stated that she has a long-standing history with the arts community as a board member of the Contemporary Arts Museum and the Holocaust Museum. She was a juried poet in the Houston Poetry Fest. While working in city government, Parker advocated for the creation of the Percent for Art ordinance and would like to see more flexibility on where the funds can be applied. She was fundamental in establishing the Assistant of Cultural Affairs as a cabinet-level position, and will continue to use that office to aid in communication with arts organizations about infrastructure planning and funding opportunities. Taking that dialogue a step further, Parker wants to engage other city offices and commissions, like the Public Parking Commission (yes, we have one), with the arts community to ensure that their needs are addressed. In order to accomplish this she suggested having an arts representative on the relevant commissions.

Parker's most memorable art experience was participating in Art on the Avenue, which supports the arts while raising funds to develop affordable housing in the Near Northside community. Her last show would have been a Dominic Walsh performance, but even though she had tickets she didn't get to attend.

Peter Brown

Brown feels that we face many challenges, but that art is an essential part of a city's infrastructure and needs to be given a priority in funding. He was fundamental in the formation of the Houston Arts Alliance, which he feels is in a good position to direct arts funding to create a Houston Renaissance with a flourishing of the five arts. In order for that to occur, Brown stated that the next mayor needs to support the expansion of existing arts organizations like Jones Hall, the Houston Ballet, DiverseWorks, and HSPVA. He also supports new development, like a easily accessible, pedestrian-friendly Houston Arts District. Brown wants to strengthen the Assistant of Cultural Affairs position by providing more resources and staffing. He has a wish list for the arts community, including art in the parks of every neighborhood, better management and planning for design standards to improve city aesthetics, and more flexibility in the use of Percent for Arts ordinance funds in line with HAA's master plan for public arts. He stated that there is a need for more temporary art in public spaces and wants to be more inclusive of the allied arts like graphic design.

Brown's most memorable arts experience was the founding of the Houston Arts Alliance and when the Main Street Corridor Revitalization Project raised millions for the Museum Walk Project. His last show was a George Clinton concert.

While covering only a portion of the candidates' political messages, we hope that this summary of their positions on the arts provides you with an introduction to your options this November.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user eschipul