Houston Symphony Receives Hurricane Harvey Relief Grants from NEA, Mellon Foundation & State of Texas

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) has announced that the Houston Symphony is one of 69 grant recipients of funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Mellon Foundation, and State of Texas to assist organizations and artists with costs associated with business interruption due to the hurricane.

A total of 52 arts organizations and 17 artists were selected based on the severity of the impact the hurricane had on their respective business. While the Houston Symphony's performance home, Jones Hall, did not sustain discernible damages, the hall's courtyard level, rehearsal room and administrative offices were impacted; requiring extensive repairs and displacing the staff and orchestra for seven weeks. The Houston Symphony canceled 19 performances as well as the 2017-18 season's Opening Night Concert. Twelve other performances were moved, with tickets offered to the public for free or at a discounted ticket price.

"We are very appreciative of the assistance that the Texas Commission on the Arts is providing to the Houston Symphony following Hurricane Harvey through this grant," said Amanda Dinitz, Interim Executive Director/CEO. "Their continued investment in our organization, and in the arts in Texas, will be very helpful as we recover from the devastating impact of Harvey and will allow us to serve and inspire our city as it heals."

The grants awarded will assist with costs associated with business interruption due to the hurricane that are not covered by another source. Grants range in amount based on whether the recipient is an artist or organization and considers the organization's annual budgets. Organization grants range from $1,500 to $40,000, and artist grants range from $1,500 to $2,500.

Funding for the Hurricane Harvey Relief grants includes $192,520 received from the National Endowment for the Arts; $150,000 provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; and $103,980 in State monies. As well, the Mid-America Arts Alliance raised money through a separate crowdfunding campaign, and will provide grants directly to 12 additional artist applicants, as advised by TCA.

A full list of Hurricane Harvey Relief grant recipients can be provided upon request to the TCA.

During the 2017-18 season, the Houston Symphony celebrates its fourth season with Music Director Andrés Orozco- Estrada and continues its second century as one of America's leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. The Houston Symphony, one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas, held its inaugural performance at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $33.9 million, the full-time ensemble of 88 professional musicians presents nearly 170 concerts annually, making it the largest performing arts organization in Houston. Additionally, musicians of the orchestra and the Symphony's four Community-Embedded Musicians offer over 900 community-based performances each year, reaching thousands of people in Greater Houston. For tickets and more information, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.

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