The mission of Art League Houston is to connect the community through diverse, dynamic, and creative experiences that bring people together to see, make, and talk about contemporary visual art. It was established in 1948 by a group of 16 women artists as a member organization whose mission was to design a building that would house a studio workshop and gallery for the continual exhibition of artwo
rk by local artists. In its early years, ALH sponsored many exhibitions and lectures including the annual “Spring Arts Festival” in the exhibitions hall of the Shamrock Hotel. By the fall of 1953, the organization had become a non-profit organization, signed-up its 300th member, and staged the first ever outdoor art fair at Hermann Park. By 1956, ALH had raised enough capital to build its first permanent building, which was designed by architect Paul Elliot and built on property leased to them at 906 Tuam St. After 11 years, the land was sold and in 1968, ALH purchased and moved into two connected, circa 1920s houses located at 1953 Montrose. Founded in 1968, the Art League School provides the Houston community with dynamic, accessible, affordable, and high-quality studio-based visual arts instruction through classes and workshops led by professional artist instructors. Each year, over 1,200 adult students of diverse backgrounds, skill levels, and ages enroll in over 120 classes and workshops in painting, drawing, watercolor, ceramics, printmaking, mixed media, collage, jewelry and other media, as well as gain access to exhibitions, lectures, public programs, and artist talks that enrich their training as artists. By 1973, ALH had registered its 780’s members and celebrated its 25th anniversary. By 1983, the organization established the Texas Artist of the Year Award, and 6 years later, expanded the award to include the Texas Patron of the Year. In 1990, ALH established its free Healing Art program for adults living with HIV/AIDS, and in 1995, expanded the program to serve the needs of adults living with other severe illnesses including cancer, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and physical disabilities. Fifteen years later in 2005, ALH kicked off a capital campaign to raise $1 million toward a new 7,000-square-foot contemporary building. During the fundraising campaign, the organization invited Dan Havel and Dean Ruck to create Inversion, a temporary installation using the old ALH building. In 2007, the new ALH building (designed by Houston architect Irving Phillips) has its grand opening. A year later, ALH established ArtBound!, a free curriculum-based, in-school integrative arts program designed to address the gap created in children’s education when funding for the arts is lacking. The program is ongoing and takes place during the school year. is unique in its format as ALH establishes residencies in targeted schools and assigns its own trained Teaching Artists to work directly with the classroom teachers. By 2012, ALH had established a community driven, public art program designed to invigorate Houston’s lower Montrose Boulevard and the surrounding neighborhood. Projects include the Funnel Tunnel by Patrick Renner and 360 Degrees Vanishing, a permanent installation on the front façade of the ALH building featuring a large-scale beaded tapestry. In 2013, ALH expanded the annual award series to include the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Visual Arts to biennially celebrate artists who have made a long-term commitment and outstanding contribution to the visual art world in Texas. A year later, ALH established the Summer High School Studio Art Intensive, a scholarship-based summer program offering rigorous, in-depth studio art instruction for high school students (ages 14-17). In 2019, ALH established Insta11ations, a city wide public art initiative in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs featuring 11 artist projects challenging traditional notions of public art in innovative, playful and critical ways across each of Houston's 11 city council districts. Later that year, ALH launched Catalyzing Creative Aging, a free 12 week program serving older adults in Houston’s Fifth Ward featuring sequential art workshops and culminating in an exhibition. Additionally, ALH expanded the Lifetime Achievement Award to biennially honor visionary and artistic leaders in the community. In 2020, ALH launched Creative Healing, a new multi-year partnership with the Center for Performing Arts in Medicine (CPAM) within the Methodist Hospital system to provide creative video content for patients at Methodist hospitals, as well as synchronous virtual art classes for administrative staff and clinicians.
