Photo Credit: TWACArt & Culture
Nonprofit of the Month: The Woodlands Arts Council
The Hello Woodlands Nonprofit of the Month is brought to you by Randy Lovelace of Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies and highlights a local nonprofit organization that serves the Montgomery County community.
The nonprofit of the month is The Woodlands Arts Council, a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to enriching our region through cultural and educational programming that encourages, supports, and promotes the visual, performing, and literary arts. Read our interview below with Jenny Carattini-Wright, Executive Director and CEO of The Woodlands Arts Council.
THE INTERVIEW
Tell us about your organization, The Woodlands Arts Council What is the organization’s story? How did the organization start? What is your mission and why?
Our story began in 2005, when a group of community- and arts-minded leaders, including individuals from The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Visit The Woodlands, and The Woodlands Development Company, gathered around a bold vision: to create a fine arts festival along The Woodlands Waterway®.
That idea led to the formation of The Woodlands Arts Council as a nonprofit dedicated to enriching our community through cultural and educational experiences. From the beginning, our mission has centered on a simple but powerful belief: art matters because it inspires creativity, strengthens character, builds connection, and enriches everyday life.
What started as an idea for an arts festival blossomed into a year-round arts organization. Twenty years later, we now produce three annual events, offer multiple programs, have our own office and gallery with rotating exhibitions, and contribute public art installations to The Woodlands. Our evolution reflects our continued commitment to expanding access to the arts and supporting creativity throughout our community.
Who and where do you serve? What programs and services do you offer?
We serve The Woodlands and Montgomery County, reaching people of all ages, from students and families to seniors and artists. Our programs connect with local schools, including Title I campuses, as well as anyone who values creativity and the arts.
Our offerings are wide-ranging. Our signature events, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, the Texas Fine Craft Show, and the Young Makers Market, are designed to showcase visual and performing arts, fine craft, and youth art.
In addition, our year-round programs include student art scholarships, microgrants for art educators, projects and organizations, a public art program, educational outreach, and a gallery with rotating exhibitions (free to visit Tuesdays through Thursdays).
What makes this organization unique?
What sets The Woodlands Arts Council apart is our commitment to making the arts accessible and meaningful for everyone in our community. We don’t just produce award-winning events; we invest in people and creativity at every stage: supporting students throughout their educational journey, uplifting emerging and established artists, and creating opportunities for residents to engage with the arts in meaningful ways.
Our track record speaks for itself: over the past 20 years, we have reinvested more than $1.7 million into our community through programming, scholarships, public art, microgrants, and enrichment activities.
TWAC’s dedication to the arts goes beyond entertainment; it serves as a crucial element in fostering community, connection, healing, cultural appreciation, and personal growth. This commitment elevates us from being just an arts organization to becoming a true community builder.
How can the community get involved, volunteer, and support this organization?
There are so many ways to get involved. Community members can attend our events and exhibitions, volunteer at our events, or support our programs throughout the year. One of the best ways to stay connected is through our Art Lover Program, a year-round membership that offers special benefits, including event tickets, plus deeper engagement with our events, programs, and mission.
Through February 4th, community members can also participate by voting in our People’s Choice Award by visiting the Winter in The Woodlands Exhibition and choosing their favorite photo. This is a fun and meaningful way to champion their favorite local photographer while experiencing our current exhibit.
We also welcome donors, sponsors, educators, and artists who want to collaborate or help expand access to the arts in our community. Whether someone gives their time, resources, or passion to the arts, every contribution helps us continue to bring meaningful creative experiences by Making Art Matter in The Woodlands and beyond.
Where can the community learn more? Anything else you would like to share about your organization?
The best way to learn more is by visiting our website, where you’ll find event details, program information, gallery hours, and ways to get involved: TheWoodlandsArtsCouncil.org. The best way to get the most up-to-date information is by following us on social media @thewoodlandsartscouncil.
Most importantly, we want people to know that The Woodlands Arts Council exists because of and for the community. Every exhibit, festival, microgrant, and program exists because of a shared belief in the power of the arts. We’re proud of how far we’ve come and excited about what’s ahead, and we invite everyone to be part of the journey.
ABOUT RANDY LOVELACE
To learn more about Randy Lovelace, his “Referral for a Cause” program to help local nonprofit organizations, and Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies, please call (281) 298-0440, email rlovelace@paragoninsagencies.com, or visit www.paragoninsagencies.com/woodlands.
