First Floor
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Second Floor
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Grounds/Parking
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The Music Room features a social space decorated like a Texas roadhouse/diner. Daily themes would feature music of regional cultures, including Blues, Tejano, Western Swing, Cajun/Zydeco, International Music, and a special Live Music Night. The main kitchen would be operated on a regular schedule by an outside vendor with regional identity, such as Avalon, Jax or Prince's. A secondary kitchen would be available for use by cultural organizations holding special events in the event facilities.
The Gallery features an exhibit on Houston cultural history and an additional space, which can be reserved for exhibits sponsored by cultural organizations in Houston. The space can be arranged for small dinners and receptions. The front desk between the main entrance to the Houston Cultural Arts Center and the Gallery serves as a general information resource for the community facility and for city-wide cultural activities, as well as a welcome table for special events.
The Kiva functions as a multipurpose facility serving community and cultural organizations, and offers additional exhibit space for the organizations. The perimeter of the room is divided into small offices and display cases for organizations without access to such facilities. The circular center of the room can be arranged for meetings, lectures and performances in-the-round.
The Resource Office issues music and film archives for community use and research. Staff members can help artists and organizations discover funding sources and educational opportunities. The space additionally serves as administrative offices and storage for traveling exhibits.
The Library offers a variety of cultural and social reference materials on CD-ROM, as well as Internet stations and public study space. There are two classrooms, which can be used for lectures and meetings. Large tables in the library can be used for group study or discussion.
The Kiva can be viewed form the second floor from a balcony, adding audience or production space for central events.
The Spanish Plaza greets visitors to the performance center and exhibit hall as they approach from nearby parking. Benches are arranged around the circular brick plaza for convenient meeting and orientation for school groups.
The Corner offers a contoured brick waiting area between the parking and plaza, and features a recognizable sculpture or monument in the center.
Exhibit/Resource Center
The Patio provides additional dining space for visitors to the Music Room and for the taco/torta stand in the outdoor Market. The Patio extends from the Market and is covered and cooled in the same fashion.
The Garden exhibits flowering plants surrounded by blooming trees important in many cultural activities. It offers visitors quite reflective space for reading or resting.
The Festival Grounds can be used by community organizations to host traditional celebrations, cultural demonstrations and educational events for children.
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Performing Arts Center
The Performance Hall seats 500 in descending aisles for cultural performances and recitals, and features a quiet, vested entry. The stage is suitable for dance and the backstage opens to a loading dock. Two changing rooms are located behind the stage.
The Reception Hall can be used for a pre- or post-performance reception, or even a small book signing or formal discussion. Entrance is by way of a covered breezeway directly across from the entrance to the performance hall, and there is a ticket window that can be easily accessed for both spaces.
Detailed View of
Performing Arts Center
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Performing Arts Center
The Performance Hall benefits from a lighting and sound production center in the second floor balcony, just above the entry to the theatre. In the relatively small facility, performers can take cues from the director in the balcony. A hall from the rehearsal space and dressing rooms accesses the production area and leads performers to the back stage.
The Rehearsal Hall is available to local musicians and artists preparing for performances in the theatre. It is conveniently located above the reception area and adjacent to the production center, allowing the artists to enjoy other performers on stage without disturbing audience members. Rehearsal spaces also serve as dressing rooms.
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Performing Arts Center
The Market offers independent and cultural artists space to exhibit their works, in an open-air setting similar to the French Market in New Orleans and Indian Market in front of Santa Fe's historic Palace of Governors. It offers added enjoyment and interest for event visitors. Angled coverings offer shade and fans keep the air circulating. Lunchtime patrons can visit a taco/torta stand on weekends.