October, 2003

IN THIS ISSUE ONGOING CURRENT ACTIVITIES MONTHLY MAJOR PROJECT GOALS DATES TO REMEMBER OUR MISSION

Greetings,

As we are nearing the end of 2003, our humble non-profit organization, started from literally nothing, is growing larger than ever before, doing more, and exceeding our expectations. As we move toward even bigger goals and expectations in 2004, we have paused, just long enough to breathe, and prepared an overview of what we are doing and where we are going.

The purpose of the 2003 report is to interest volunteers and supporters in the mission and important work of Houston Institute for Culture. The outward purpose of the organization is to interest the public to a greater extent in diverse cultural activities and dialogue to improve communities.

If we know of a hungry child or someone who is in danger, the most important thing to do is help them. The rest of the time, when the sense of urgency doesn't call us to action, we can make the world a better place by better understanding diverse cultures and divergent social and economic conditions people face in our world.

Diverse interests are critical to equal opportunity, desegregated economies, representation of community voices, and survival of arts and cultural activities that improve our overall education and quality of life.

Houston Institute for Culture is in a great position to do great things for Houston and we are limited only by our ability to involve and inspire the community. Use of our programs and resources is growing, and community response exceeds our current capacities. What this tells us is, we are doing the right thing. We are working to achieve increased educational activities for audiences and great life experiences for individuals who need them most. We have ambitious goals, outlined in the 2003 report. Volunteers who are motivated and visionary will make great things happen.

We invite all of our friends and volunteers to participate in our Ongoing Activities and Monthly Projects listed below.

The Monthly Projects are the focus of our research, travel, educational programs, radio and on line features for that month. The Current Activities (Educational Travel, Documentary Projects, Forums and DiscussionsŠ) are ongoing projects that volunteers can contribute to at any time and that benefit the community year-round.


____________________________________________________
ONGOING CURRENT ACTIVITIES
(from our 2003 Report to Friends and Volunteers)

Find the complete contents on line at:
http://www.houstonculture.org/report

Viewbook
From the earliest written words about Texas to our modern "Space City," we're launching into the world of publications with an important project that will bring a new cultural perspective to Houston and our diverse history.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#book

Regional Research
Rafting on the Guadalupe River... Horseback riding in Bandera... Touring the Valverde Winery... Dancing to polka music at the SPSJT Hall... Hiking Enchanted Rock... It's part of the research, and fun for everyone.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#region

Educational Travel Programs
The Fiesta de San Lorenzo is going on its fourth century in New Mexico and the immigrant-inspired West Indian Parade in Brooklyn is one of the biggest in the country. Our educational tours seek out these great cultural experiences.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#travel

Youth Education Camp
Many bright kids face dark futures because there is nothing in their world to spark their interest in subjects that may help them stay in school. Camp Dos Cabezas will help many kids achieve success by bringing history alive.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#camp

Photography and Video Classes
The Wall Street Journal featured our cultural and social approach to teaching photography and video last summer. Now we're beginning to produce documentaries and field workshops. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#class

Documentary Projects
Louisiana shrimp boats, Houston neighborhoods and Mexican markets all contain stories that deserve to be told by people who want others to know about their joys and hardships. Help us record more of the "peoples' history."
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#projects

Internet Features
Thousands of visitors per day are discovering the diverse traditions of Houstonians and the far away lands where they originate. And we are discovering our Internet visitors share equal concern for the social issues we all face.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#features

Internet Resources
Our steadily climbing Internet traffic provides us with a great opportunity to raise public awareness of the multitude of organizations and events in Houston. We need help maintaining these resources for the community.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#internet

Library - Music, Books, Films
The music and images, and the words written about our regional cultures are integral in helping diversify the interests of people consumed by mass media. It's one of our most important goals -- to build collections of these valuable resources.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03a.html#library

Forums and Discussions
Cultural literacy is a state best achieved by people talking with each other. The results in the positive exchange of community ideas during the town hall-style discussions we've organized are indisputable. Were seeking more involvement.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#forums

Educational Programs and Events
The music and message of the Mardi Gras Indians, and the cultural traditions of the Navajo Nation are found far away from Houston, but exposing Houston audiences to these valuable cultural traditions is important for their survival.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#events

Virtual Classroom
Once introduced to great adventurous topics like Cabeza de Vaca, La Salle and John Wesley Powell, people like to pursue their new interests at their own pace. The Virtual Classroom provides a little expert guidance at any time.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#virtual

Educational Media
We've had great fun and fanfare presenting the unique cultures of Texas, Louisiana and Mexico on radio and now we are working to turn many of the topics into valuable educational materials for school and community organizations.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#edmedia

Cultural Advocate of the Year
Cultural artists and social activists aren't often recognized for the work they do to make us think significantly about diversity and quality of life. We name a Cultural Advocate of the Year to give credence to all who work to make a difference.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#cay

Event and Media Planning
The survival of many cultural arts and ideas depends on community support. For many organizers that means drawing an audience for a recital or a film screening. Small organizations need professional volunteer help to stay alive.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#plan

Exploration Boating
It's the original form of transportation on our continent and the way two worlds came together. We've been following the route of Cabeza de Vaca and following narrow waterways to ancient Indian campsites.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#boat

Parade Project
Many cultural traditions and annual celebrations are marked by parades. They are fun to be in and they offer something for children of all ages. We cover many parades and trace their traditions. So what's next? Our own float, maybe.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#parade

Special Projects
From the historic journey of Cabeza de Vaca to the modern issues of globalization and the post September 11 world, we have a great deal of work to do to create dialogue. We need volunteers who are dedicated to ideals of cultural literacy.
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03b.html#special


Please forward any topic(s) to those who might be interested. Find the summary of activities is on line at:
http://www.houstonculture.org/report/report03mail.html


____________________________________________________
MONTHLY MAJOR PROJECT GOALS

Nov. - Ancient Earthworks and Mounded Cities of the American Indians; and the Historic Route of Hernando de Soto

Dec. - Scott Terrace, a Houston Neighborhood; and Culture and Destination

Jan. - *December Travel

Feb. - Black History Month (The Mardi Gras Indians, more)

March - Many Faces of Louisiana; and Women's History Month features

April - On the Historic Camino Real; Pilgrimage to Chimayo

May - Asian Traditions, Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

June - Texas Heritage (Juneteenth, The Indianola Trail, more)

July - *Travel/Photo Workshop in the Canyonlands

*We won't have a major focus for these months due to travel or other programs.


____________________________________________________
DATES TO REMEMBER

Next e-culture Newsletter: November 14
Next General Interest Meeting: November 18

Current e-culture Newsletter on line:
http://www.houstonculture.org/feature

Upcoming 'General Interest Meeting' info on line:
http://www.houstonculture.org/meeting

Travel schedule on line:
http://www.houstonculture.org/travel


____________________________________________________
OUR MISSION

Houston Institute for Culture is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural education and awareness through cultural activities. Our goal is to provide free and low-cost events, services and classes for the community. The organization's sphere of interest is Houston, the regions that have affected Houston's cultural history and the international origins of Houston's diverse population.


Thank you for supporting Houston Institute for Culture.

____________________________________________________
M  a  r  k @houstonculture.org


Send cultural and community event listings, and general inquiries:
info@houstonculture.org

Send organization name and mission to be included in our resource listings:
listings@houstonculture.org

Volunteer to edit or contribute to future newsletters:
mark@houstonculture.org