HCC helps students visualize careers in the arts
Sep 30, 2016
The Houston regional creative economy is a $26 billion industry that employs nearly 180,000 highly skilled workers according to Jonathon Glus, president and CEO of the Houston Arts Alliance. But Glus claims there’s room for improvement.
“Of that nearly $26 billion, we produced about 10 and imported about 15. That means we are importing than we are creating here,” he said.
Houston Community College (HCC) is taking advantage of a tremendous opportunity to create arts and culture in the Houston area through programs offered at the Visual and Performing Arts Center of Excellence.
Led by Dr. Colleen Reilly, this Center of Excellence serves both as an incubator for collaborative projects and a launch pad for emerging artists across disciplines that involve art, drama, music, and dance.
“Our faculty artists lead students by example, balancing creativity, intellectual rigor, and pursuit of excellence,” said Dr. Reilly. “Students contribute to their communities as artists, educators, and entrepreneurs.”
In true creative fashion, HCC celebrated the grand opening of the Visual and Performing Arts Center of Excellence with performances by the Central Dance Ensemble, HCC Guitar Ensemble, and a visual arts tilt brush demonstration.
“It is a great privilege for Houston Community College to be a part of the core creating the entertainment and cultural footprint in the City of Houston,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC Chancellor.
Chancellor Maldonado was joined by Dr. Kimberly Beatty, vice chancellor of Instructional Services and chief academic officer; Dr. Stephen Levey, associate vice chancellor of Instructional Services; members of the HCC Foundation Board of Directors; HCC Board of Trustees Secretary Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz; and Dr. John P. Hansen, District VI Trustee.
“I think the arts play a terribly important role in developing the genuinely educated person, and I commend everything this Center of Excellence has done so far to build successful arts programs,” said Dr. Hansen.
The art programs at HCC are gaining notice from industry partners such as the City of Houston and Houston Arts Alliance.
“We are personally committed to ensuring that there is an eco-system in this city that educates young, creative people and allows them to build their careers,” said Glus.
Graduates of the HCC Visual and Performing Arts Center of Excellence enter successful careers as graphic artists, art and fitness instructors, choreographers, principal dancers, playwrights, directors, theater managers, costume designers, composers, and vocalists.
To learn more about the opportunities at the HCC Visual and Performing Arts Center of Excellence, visit hccs.edu/arts.
