Woodlands Waterway Arts Council

The Woodlands Arts Council(TWAC) proudly expanded event programming in our 2023-2024 fiscal year. In our new office and gallery space, quarterly free exhibitions began in fall, 2023. They featured the work of fiber artist Ivy Jensen, followed by painter Annette Palmer, a curated show of local artists, and finally, the private collection of a long-time community art lover. The annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival (WWAF) was held in April across three days and welcomed over 19,000 patrons and 200 international, national, and regional artists and fine craftsmen. The WWAF also highlights art for kids in the ARTopoly area in partnership with The Woodlands Childrens Museum, the literary arts at Books On The Green area in partnership with Village Books The Woodlands, and three performance stages throughout the venue featuring over 100 performers. Finally, planning began for the first-ever Young Makers Market and Texas Fine Craft Show as TWAC continues to grow year-round event programming.

Public Art Program: In 2023, four underwriters paid to support the creation of art bench racks in The Woodlands. Our expenses include recruiting and selecting four artists for each art bench. The finalists were given a stipend of $300 each, and $10,000 was awarded to four artists to build the benches. The Woodlands Township paid for the installation; we conveyed ownership to them. These beautiful art benches enhance our community and are for all to enjoy!

The Because Art Matters committee is the year-round education outreach component of TWAC. Since its inception, more than 45,000 at-risk students attending Title 1 schools have been impacted, collaborative mural projects have been provided to numerous social services organizations, a spotlight on the art gallery has been managed, therapeutic drumming sessions have been provided at assisted living facilities, and an art feel program has been created. Since the pandemic, the committee has focused on providing funds directly to arts organizations, educators, and artists through Microgrants. Funded projects include color printers, ceramics supplies, sketch pads, ipads, and more. TWAC facilitates a Student Art Scholarship program for graduating high school seniors every winter. In 2023-2024, a total of $50,000 was awarded. In the past decade, $1.4 million has been distributed through BAM programming, with over $90,000 in 2023-2024 alone.