Third Ward Cultural Arts District

Vision

Preserve, protect, inspire, and share the artistic and cultural legacy of the Historic Third Ward with current and future generations of artists and creatives through innovative arts and cultural engagement.

About the District

The Third Ward Cultural Arts District, officially created by the Texas Commission on the Arts in September 2020, supports Third Ward residents by activating spaces of healing and creating a haven for the artists most in need of a place to feel safe to create and thrive. Just as important, the Cultural District creates opportunities for visitors from across town and across the globe to participate in this work and connect with the community.

In this moment, the power of art and culture to heal communities and give a voice to the silenced is of the highest importance. Project Row Houses is glad to serve as the management entity for the Cultural District.

Our District’s Assets

The Third Ward Cultural Arts District’s beginnings as the epicenter of Black culture, creativity, and commerce is seen with the establishment of Trinity United Methodist Church 1848 as a congregation by and for enslaved people and then with the Juneteenth celebrations in 1872 at Emancipation Park. The land was bought by a group of African Americans, led by the Reverend Jack Yates, a Baptist minister and former enslaved person.

Houston was once divided into wards, hence the name Third Ward. The area has retained that important title and marker, though it has changed in size. During segregation, the Greater Third Ward was the center of life and commerce. The area included Alameda and Emancipation Avenue, what was then called Dowling Street.

Infrastructural developments, such as the construction of State Highway 288, cleaved the physical community in two. Also, with the end of segregation, some residents moved from the area. It is known that the Third Ward was once much larger in size and resident numbers, with more businesses, schools, and resources.

While there are not nearly as many businesses operating or restaurants open, the cultural district is teeming with art and creativity, and celebrations of and pride in the history of centuries of people living, creating, working, and playing in the Third Ward.

Learn More