Small Business Today Magazine NOV 2014 EXHIBIT NETWORK | Page 16

EDITORIALFEATURE

Houston to Create 

Cultural Plan                   
By Annise Parker, Mayor of the City of Houston

I

am proud to announce the selection of
philanthropist, Philamena Baird and Project
Row House Founder, Rick Lowe as co-chairs
of the effort to create a new cultural plan for
Houston.

Rick Lowe is a strategic
thinker who is tapped as a
consultant on cultural
projects around the world. 
He was selected by
President Obama to serve
on the National
Council on the Arts. 

I want to thank Rick and Philamena for agreeing to give their valuable time and take this on. 
Houston has changed dramatically since the last
cultural plan in 1994.  We are more diverse economically and ethnically.  The number of arts and
cultural organizations has grown and our artist
community has become one of the most excit- ing inducted into the Greater Houston Chamber
ing in the country.  It’s time for a new plan that of Commerce Women’s Hall of Fame.
will position Houston as a leader and destination
A study released last year by the Houston Arts
for arts and culture.
Alliance and the University of Houston found
Rick Lowe is a strategic thinker who is tapped that the arts, culture, and creative businesses
as a consultant on cultural projects around the generate almost $10 billion in annual economic
world.  He was selected by President Obama benefits within the 10 county region with the
to serve on the National Council on the Arts.  potential to double that number.
His most recognizable local project, Project Row
The cultural plan process is being coordinatHouses, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this
year.  Under his leadership, the organization has ed by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs with
hosted more than 300 artists’ installation, per- extensive outreach to the community at large,
formances, readings, and other related activities.  cultural organizations, artists, and creative busiHe and his team have also developed affordable nesses.  Mayor Parker has directed that the plan
housing initiatives and brought new life to the El be finished before she leaves office at the end
of 2015.  In tandem with this, the Department
Dorado Ballroom. 
of Planning and Development is working on the
Philamena Baird has a lengthy résumé that in- City’s first general plan. 

cludes serving as president of numerous organizations including the Moore’s School of Music
Society, the Houston Ballet Guild, and the Jung
Education Institute.  She has chaired the prestigious Hunting Art Prize Event, the Shell Houston
Open Eagle Awards Charity Gala, the Houston Serving since January 2, 2010, Annise D. Parker has been elected as the Mayor of Houston three times.  She is Houston’s 61st
Ballet Dinner, the Miller Outdoor Theatre Advi- Mayor and one of only two women to hold the City’s highest
sory Board Gala, the Consular Corp Gala, and elected office.  In 2010, Time Magazine named Mayor Parker
the Texas Bowl.  She has also served on the one the 100 most influential people in the world.  Mayor Anboards of the Houston Arts Alliance, Theater nise Parker is a Steering Committee Member of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and serves on President Barack
Under the Stars, and the Harris County Sports Obama’s State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate
Authority.  Her awards for service to our com- Preparedness and Resilience.  She is also on the advisory board
munity include being named a Woman of Dis- of Small Business Today Magazine.  For more information, go to
tinction, receiving a Macy’s Savvy Award, and be- www.houstontx.gov/mayor/.
14 SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE [ NOVEMBER 2014 ]