Cultural Affairs Office
Press and Communications
Houston Joins Major Cities to Host The National Arts Drive
May 29, 2020 -- Artists across the country will showcase and perform from front lawns, driveways, balconies, and stoops for the same three hour period.
The event, organized by RAWartists.com, is free for artists and drivers (though donations are encouraged).
Artists and organizations can display, perform, or otherwise showcase their creativity at a physical location on Saturday, June 20 from 3pm - 6pm CDT.
Houstonians are invited to drive their city blocks and suburban streets to see, hear, and support the artists, organizations, performers, musicians, and designers living in their community from a safe distance. The driving experience is paired with a mobile website and interactive map where drivers can engage with the artist/organization and support them from a safe distance through three main avenues:
- Like, follow, and share their work via social media
- Donate directly to artists/orgs through their chosen mobile paysite
- Visit a participating artist/org's online store or website for a future purchase
Artists and organizations that want to participate can sign up at www.nationalartsdrive.com/signup-artist, and list Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs as your ambassador.
Community drivers can RSVP at nationalartsdrive.com.
RAWartists.com initiated the project in response to devastating conclusions from an Americans for the Arts COVID-19 impact survey, which found that 62% of artists in America are now fully unemployed; artists have lost on average $27,103; and 80% have no path toward recovery. The survey estimated the country’s artists will lose $5.6 billion this year.
The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs is serving as the local ambassador for The National Arts Drive on behalf of a collaborative of arts service organizations comprised of: Houston Arts Alliance, City of Houston's Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Dance Source Houston, East End Cultural District, 5th Ward Cultural Arts District, Fresh Arts/Arts District Houston, Galveston Historical Foundation, Houston First Corporation, Houston Museum District, Mid-America Arts Alliance's Engage Houston, Midtown Cultural District, Theater District Houston, University of Houston, the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts.