CONTENTS OF ACTIVITIES
Houston Institute for Culture A 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization	Viewbook Regional Research Educational Travel Programs Youth Education Camp Photography and Video Classes Documentary Projects Internet Features Internet Resources Library - Music, Books, Films	Forums and Discussions Educational Programs and Events Virtual Classroom Educational Media Cultural Advocate of the Year Event and Media Planning Exploration Boating Parade Project Special Projects

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
We must first establish the important mission of cultural literacy in the public, in a way that is clear and simple to convey; and second, promote the benefits and necessities of an organization with this mission. It is critical that we demonstrate to more volunteers and supporters the importance of cultural experience and diverse interests -- the things that support critical thinking, eclectic arts, independent media, local economic concerns, small businesses, strong traditions, social activism, and innovative musical and literary expression.

Simultaneously, as we develop a greater awareness of Houston Institute for Culture, we must develop an effective staff structure to build on and place passionate individuals in positions to manage and produce the best possible programs for the community.

A few key activities that will be extremely important to our future are covered below.


Publications

We are currently producing a Viewbook to inform and interest the public in the unique cultural history of southeast Texas. This publication will raise awareness of the Houston Institute for Culture in Texas and around the nation. It will not promote our individual programs, but will present many facets of our region's diversity, historic and modern, that we will be expanding on in all of our activities during the organization's development. By promoting cultural understanding and knowledge, this extremely high quality publication will be useful to many organizations and civic groups with similar missions and educational purposes. We plan to follow the publication of the Viewbook with a quarterly magazine to bring Houston and southeast Texas a forum for cultural ideas similar to Louisiana Cultural Vistas and El Palacio. The magazine will present in-depth features covering a wide range of aspects of Houston as an important cultural crossroads in the world today.

Once we have established the Viewbook and magazine, we would like to promote and be part of a citywide effort to publish and distribute the wealth of cultural literature in our region by working with a collective of educational non-profit organizations.

Volunteer Needs
As a present priority and a first step toward achieving our biggest goals, the Viewbook is a critical project. We are committing substantial time to this high quality publication, which is detracting from our ability to meet several other program goals currently. Volunteers are welcome to help produce the Viewbook, particularly because we want to represent a great diversity of cultures that form our modern city. Learn more about this project in Current Activities.


Grants and Donations

The demands on our organization to fulfill its mission for the community have increased exponentially over the past two years. Our programs and activities have tremendous educational benefit for participants and the potential to benefit a multitude of artists and cultural organizations in the city. Greater support of cultural activities and diversity can improve quality of life and important resources in Houston communities.

We must fund our highest priority programs that most directly accomplish our mission, such as "Camp Dos Cabezas" (described in Current Activities), a cultural education youth camp, and public forums that challenge adults to consider social issues. And we must fund activities that provide tremendous benefit to the community, such as the resource listings that help connect community members to organizations, in order to make these efforts more consistent and stable.

Our programs in the community are generally for Houston audiences, and we will one day be in a position to promote a valuable form of tourism in the city -- tourism for cultural educational purposes in one of the most diverse cities in the nation with a regional history rivaled by no other. Our place on the Internet has brought us a worldwide audience, with users from more than 100 countries and inquiries that substantiate the need for improved cultural education resources. Increased funding for our programs is necessary to see a phenomenal magnification of the efforts and results in the Houston community, as well as for anyone in the world who we can interest in cultural topics and important discussions.

Volunteer Needs
In addition to help with the Viewbook and subsequent fundraising efforts, help with other programs, of which many are very important to artists and community organizations, is greatly needed. When each function works well (i.e., when up-to-date resources on line reach wider audiences through broadcast media we have cooperative efforts with, participation in organizations and events improves, making it possible for more artists and organizations to gain public support) a positive cycle occurs, creating greater interest in diversity of people and ideas, and independence for communities.


Cultural Arts Center

The development of a Cultural Arts Center in Houston is our most important long-range goal and our biggest challenge. The Center will provide space for cultural and community organizations to hold performances, exhibits, educational events and other community activities. An important function of the Center will be to present a permanent exhibit on the cultural history of our region, by combining successful concepts from the Institute for Texan Cultures and the Museum of New Mexico. There will also be an outdoor market space for artisans and independent sellers of cultural wares, and a kitchen space for the use of organizations holding cultural events. With a festival grounds and several indoor venues, we plan to create an educational environment with a full slate of ongoing activities for Houstonians and visitors to our city alike.

The Cultural Arts Center will also provide many resources for cultural artists and organizers, and offer space for meetings and conferences for many small non-profit organizations and community associations.

A general concept and plan for the Cultural Arts Center can be viewed on line:
www.houstonculture.org/center

Volunteer Needs
We presently need volunteers to help with research and prepare a presentation on the importance of a Cultural Arts Center in Houston. We additionally need help distributing our Viewbook to raise awareness of the benefits cultural education and forums for diverse ideas provide to our community.




2003 Report to Friends and Volunteers    Houston Institute for Culture   A 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization