City leaders are working to cut funding for public art in an effort to reduce Houston’s projected $187 million budget deficit ahead of a fall push to approve new taxes or fees on residents.
City Council last Wednesday approved a $15 million contract with the Houston Arts Alliance for the conservation and management of public art, as well as the creation of new artwork displayed on city properties. The unanimous passage came after several council members took issue with the contract’s original $25 million price tag over five years.
That vote was the beginning of a larger effort to cut Houston’s expenditures on public art, in part by reducing the amount the city is required to spend in concert with city construction projects, council members said.
“We need to look under every rock and around every quarter to see where we can save money because it’s really going to get serious in the next couple years,” At-Large Council Member Julian Ramirez said.
The city for years has given the Houston Arts Alliance funding to administer arts and culture grants for the city, curate the city’s public art collection and support local artists.