Texas Commission on the Arts Designates New Cultural District in Austin
EMBARGOED UNTIL 3 PM 9/4/2025
Contact: Eriane Austria,
The Govalle Cultural District receives official state recognition
AUSTIN, TEXAS — September 4, 2025
Following Austin City Council’s vote earlier this summer, the Texas Commission on the Arts has today approved the designation of East Austin’s Govalle neighborhood as one of the state’s newest cultural districts. Cultural districts are special zones that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community vitality. These districts can be focal points for generating business, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural development and fostering civic pride. With today’s designation of the Govalle Cultural District—along with the 5th Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor & Cultural District in Austin, the Kerrville Cultural District, and the Odessa Arts District—Texas is now home to 57 cultural districts.
The Texas Commission on the Arts is the only body able to officially designate cultural districts on behalf of the State. Cultural districts are marketable tourism assets that highlight the distinct identity of a community and encourage in-state, out-of-state, and international visitors. Cultural district development helps a community boost its economy while realizing other cultural and civic benefits. The outcomes of cultural districts extend beyond the arts and benefit all members of a community. Official designation allows cultural districts and qualifying resident arts organizations to be eligible to apply for significant Cultural District Project funding through TCA.
The Govalle Cultural District is a neighborhood-rooted coalition of artists, educators, nonprofits, and creative businesses working collaboratively to advance inclusive cultural development. Anchored by institutions such as The Museum of Human Achievement, the Canopy Austin arts complex, and the 979 Springdale complex, the district includes over 250 artists, over 70 creative businesses, and ten nonprofit cultural organizations. The district’s assets include the arts nonprofits Ground Floor Theatre, Art From the Streets, Sage Studios, Motion Media Arts Center & Austin School of Film, East Side Performing Arts and Dimension Sculpture Park. It includes working artist studios, multiple galleries, creative tech firms, design studios, restaurants, and artist-founded initiatives like Springdale Station and Stargazer, all providing performance, educational, and exhibition opportunities. The district emphasizes affordability, accessibility, and authenticity—ensuring creative growth benefits long-term residents as well as visiting audiences.
Gary Gibbs, executive director of the Texas Commission on the Arts, says: “We are pleased to highlight the wonderful work these cultural districts are already doing to attract visitors to their communities, and to enhance the quality of life in our great state. Their applications to the designation process provided extensive information on their qualifications, and were considered through a highly rigorous review process. We congratulate them on this achievement.”
Zac Traeger, executive director of The Museum of Human Achievement, which serves at the Govalle’s Cultural District Management Entity, says: “We believe artists and cultural workers are essential to the vitality of our economy and community, and we support their long-term ability to live and work in Govalle. The recognition of the Govalle Cultural District and the rich cultural heritage of the neighborhood will help celebrate and preserve a long-standing hub for co-creation and community in East Austin. To insist on the importance of all our neighbors having access to artful lives and creativity is of the utmost importance in the context of local and national change. We believe that placing artists, educators and history at the table in all conversations is vital to recognizing the past and sustaining healthy and vibrant communities.”
About the Texas Commission on the Arts
The mission of the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) is to advance the state economically and culturally by investing in a creative Texas. TCA supports a diverse and innovative arts community in Texas, throughout the nation and internationally by providing resources to enhance economic development, arts education, cultural tourism and artist sustainability initiatives. For more information on TCA and its programs, please visit arts.texas.gov.
About The Museum of Human Achievement
The Museum of Human Achievement is an Austin-based 501(c)3 nonprofit providing funding, infrastructure, professional support, and affordable physical space to under-resourced artists across all disciplines. Steeped in principles of collaboration, experimentation, inclusivity, and accessibility, MoHA fosters an empowered, resilient creative community in Texas and beyond.
Since its founding in 2012, MoHA has partnered with 1,300 organizations to create new works; presented 5,500+ artists; and welcomed 250k visitors to its East Austin campus. MoHA has assisted 140 first-time grant recipients and distributed $1.6M to artists (70% BIPOC, 61% LGBTQIA). At present, MoHA houses studio and office space for twenty community arts groups and mutual aid organizations, as well as for local and visiting artists. MoHA supports more than a thousand artists annually through its programs and events, and it produces more than a hundred free public programs annually which integrate community vision, arts, and social practice. Learn more at moha.wiki.
