The Founders Funds
Dear Supporter and Art Enthusiast,
I am thrilled to invite you to be a part of something truly extraordinary as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Project Row Houses (PRH). This milestone is a testament to the seven visionary founders who revolutionized the art world by utilizing art as the premise for revitalizing marginalized communities.
The fearless spirit of these trailblazers has transformed PRH into a vibrant community hub, bridging art and culture to create positive change. As we commemorate their incredible legacy, we invite you to contribute to The Founders Funds—a heartfelt gesture to honor their lasting impact.
Your support of The Founders Funds will help keep their groundbreaking vision alive, empowering PRH to continue nurturing artists and communities, making a difference for generations to come. So let’s stand together in celebration of PRH’s 30th Anniversary and the visionaries who made it all possible.
Join me in acknowledging and celebrating these extraordinary founders!
-Danielle Burns Wilson
Contribute to the extraordinary legacy of Project Row Houses’ founders!
James Bettison Performance Art Residency at Project Row Houses
The annual James Bettison Performance Art Residency at Project Row Houses honors the vibrant legacy of James Bettison, an inspiring visual artist, performer, and sculptor. The residency serves as a platform for urban artists to explore their creativity and challenge existing norms by pushing boundaries and experimenting with bold, contemporary performance art. It is through their work that they can find their own distinctive voice in the art scene. Celebrating Bettison’s unwavering commitment to perseverance, both in his artwork and in his life, this residency embarks on a journey of exploration into the limitless potential of urban performance art, by providing a community that embraces the expression of creative ideas. While exploring identity, history and lived experiences, residency artists will have a unique platform to showcase their work and make profound statements about our society.
The Bert Long, Jr. Sculpture Garden
The Bert Long Jr. Sculpture Garden serves as more than a place to experience art – it’s a celebration of the life of one of Houston’s most remarkable African American artists and an inspiration to all who strive to be seen and heard in marginalized communities. An advocate for Black art, Bert saw the power of art to transform lives and worked to bring visual forms of expression to the community. The sculpture garden honors Bert’s legacy and serves as an inspiration and hub for today’s creative minds. attracting people from all walks of life to explore, celebrate, and appreciate the power of Black sculpture art. Surrounded by natural beauty and Long’s works of art, visitors can wander among stunning sculptures crafted in bronze, marble, iron, and other materials. The collection will reflect the unique creativity of Black artists from around the world, providing meaningful representation and a fresh perspective on Black identity.
The Jesse Lott Public Art Fund + Non-Accredited Academy of Urban Folk Art
The Jesse Lott Public Art Fund at Project Row Houses honors the legacy of Jesse Lott, a renowned visual artist and sculptor whose work in the “urban frontier art” movement captures the essence of urban life and it use to revitalize marginalized communities. The Fund seeks to bring vibrancy to the community through public artwork that reflects the cultural identity of its inhabitants. Through this fund and non- accredited academy, PRH hopes to make public art accessible to everyone and provide a platform for living artists to create meaningful works that speak to the larger community. Furthermore, by engaging in meaningful conversations about the power and impact of public art in Black culture, PRH seeks to redefine what ‘public’ and ‘accredited’ means and create more creative outlets for historically underserved populations. By supporting public art projects through this fund, PRH is committed to the continuation of fostering collaborations between local artists and community members. As such, we aim to stimulate creativity in communities that are often overlooked while creating lasting impact with public art that speaks to the collective history and culture of the people.
The Institute at Project Row Houses
In honor of the “magnificent seven” and celebrating acclaimed artist Rick Lowe as the visionary leader and principal founder of Project Row Houses, The Institute at Project Row Houses stands as a vibrant homage to the transformative influence of Black art and culture. In the heart of Houston’s Third Ward, The Institute will preserve PRH’s legacy, championing Black artists and sparking pivotal societal dialogues. It’s poised to be an innovative nexus for examining complex social narratives, serving as a dynamic platform for engaging with Black histories, Black lives, and Black futures. The Institute will serve as a beacon for the African-American community, a place of knowledge sharing that inspires transformation within and beyond. It will underscore the magnificent seven’s dedication to social practice, fostering a culture of learning and collective progress.
Floyd Newsum Summer Studios
The Floyd Newsum Summer Studios Program at Project Row Houses is a program like no other. Named in honor of Floyd Newsum, a visual artist and a founding member of Project Row Houses, this program grants college students the incredible opportunity to create and explore their artistic potential. The Floyd Newsum Summer Studios Program provides collegiate artists with access to an environment to create and explore, but they are given the opportunity to do so in a professional studio environment. This summer program provides artists access to resources like peer-to-peer mentorship and guidance that will help them further refine, develop and grow their artistic abilities. The program also provides participants with community support and opportunities for exhibition. The students gain the invaluable experience of learning from each other in an inspiring, creative setting. At the conclusion of the program, students are rewarded with the opportunity to showcase their work to a larger audience as well as local galleries and curators who specialize in different artistic mediums.
Bert Samples Archives at Project Row Houses
Step into the living tapestry of history at the Bert Samples Archives, an extraordinary tribute to the visionary legacy of Bert Samples—a trailblazing artist and a driving force behind Project Row Houses (PRH). From PRH’s very inception, Bert understood the importance of documenting history and preserving the invaluable archives that showcase the transformative impact of art on marginalized communities. Bert Samples, has always believed that preserving history is not just about celebrating the past, but also about inspiring future generations to continue the creative journey. Through his unyielding dedication, he led the initiative in the early 2000s, hiring archivists to meticulously write up a comprehensive plan to organize and safeguard the rich PRH archives. Today, the Bert Samples Archives stands as a living testament to the enduring power of art and community. It encapsulates Bert’s pioneering spirit and the indomitable creativity of artists who found their voices within PRH’s nurturing embrace.
George Smith Youth Arts Program
The George Smith Youth Arts Program is a vibrant program that strives to bring creativity and expression to youth in Houston’s Third Ward. This program nurtures the untapped potential of the young people living in the community, allowing them to explore the world of art and its endless possibilities. The program is designed to promote self-confidence and creativity, inviting teens to delve into their artistic talents. Through the George Smith Youth Arts Program, participants are given access to a wide range of art materials, tools, and space to create their own unique art. While providing teens with an outlet for self-expression and exploration, the program also provides them with much-needed support as they form new friendships and discover life skills. The George Smith Youth Arts Program has a deep appreciation for the power and importance of art, recognizing it as a bridge that connects students to their own culture, history and community. By allowing teens to grow with their art, they gain an understanding of their own identities and of the world around them. It’s a safe haven where they can escape from the hardships of life and bring joy and beauty into the world.
Help Materialize
Sustainable Opportunities
In Marginalized Communities.