The Greater Houston Partnership on Tuesday hosted The Business of the Arts Luncheon, a special forum where the Houston Arts Alliance in conjunction with Americans for the Arts revealed the results of the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study IV, a comprehensive national research study conducted every five years in 139 cities and regions were discussed.

Luncheon attendees were entertained with musical performances by Music Doing Good, a Houston-based performing arts organization whose mission is "philanthropy through music". Listen

Bobby Tudor, a GHP board member, and Philamena Baird, a member of the HAA board, welcomed the crowd Listen and introduced Houston Mayor Annise Parker. Listen

Mayor Parker noted the citywide display of public art that Houston citizens and visitors enjoy. Listen

“We have a really phenomenal legacy of civic art that is going to continue to grow every year, thanks to our Percent for Art Program and the acquisition and conservation that is allowed under that program,” Parker said. 

The keynote speaker was Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of America for the Arts. Listen

“I want to thank you for, first of all, bringing the gift, the secret weapon that America needs right now,” Lynch said, referring to the arts in Houston.  “The arts are a partner in the solution to so many of today’s civic issues and civic problems; and the arts will continue to grow as a partner, if we let them.”

GHP President Bob Harvey and Houston Arts Alliance CEO Jonathon Glus thanked Lynch for his participation in the day’s events. Listen